Closing at SOL, final goodbyes, and on on the 0945 bus to Kalamata., then to Athens and Piraeus
Wednesday Sep 5
Packed out, put the bags in Adonis’s trunk, then we both hiked through the olive grove and up to SOL for final warmup session with Betty, early breakfast with Kerri, then closure and our goodbyes with the group.
Adonis took us to Ag. Nik for the 0945 bus. A quick fresh OJ with Adonis as the bus turned the far corner right on time. Great shot of the faceoff between the bus and the little car on the single lane waterfront street. The car backed out as the bus inched along to us.
Spectacular ride up the coast, passing all the familiar places we’d been.
Arrival Kalamata KTEL bus station shortly after 11, plenty of time to pick up our reserved tickets (under “Bill”), get a sandwich and make the 1230 Express bus to Athens.
The express bus was nonstop across the National Highway versus the regular bus which stopped at the Corinth Canal. We passed old haunts from last year (Acropolis of Ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal), then through the burnt out pines, palms, and houses from the Kineta fire about a month ago. Traffic picked up as Athens neared, then suddenly, the Athens KTEL Station. Quick shift to taxi and on to Piraeus right to Hotel Triton.
Some in our Amorgos group had already arrived. 11 were staying at the Triton for the convenience of walking to the early morning ferry; 6 in Athens by taxi.
We found both of Anne’s sisters immediately, then walked to Gate 7 in the port to pick up our Blue Star tickets for the return ferry. Also, scoped out where the Hellenic Seaways HighSpeed4 hydrofoil would depart from. Finally, swung by the metro station to get tickets to Athens on return to beat the long lines of the ferry crowd on return.
A group Triton dinner of most of us staying there. The cook was on vacation but had left all the Traditional Greek dishes. As always, huge portions – “order for 1 eat for 2” Pastitio and Greek Salad.