Travelling to Tinos

My ferry to the thirty minute away island of Tinos was meant to leave at eleven thirty. I am staying at the port on that island. I was a bit worried about the ferry running at, all as it got very windy last night when I revisited the taverna I went to the previous night. Worried because if the wind hits a certain speed, the ferries are suspended. I imagine that piloting one of these beasts in harbours can be quite tricky and one strong gust might see you hitting something. Or maybe they just don’t fancy lots of seasick passengers aboard.. But it had calmed down a bit this morning.

I had a lovely meal at the taverna I mentioned and got chatting to the waitress I saw the previous  night. Turns out she is not related to the lady on the business card after all, but the story stands on who the lady on the card was. What was interesting was the waitresses’ mother works on Sifnos, in Kamares, in the Italian restaurant that I know. The waitresses name is Asimenia, which means silver. I asked her why so many people don’t wear helmets on their motorcycles. She said that the people like to have a choice, like the covid vaccine, where they had a poor take up here. It’s sad to see so many people smoke, including Asimenia, another choice I suppose. 

I got some good news from the people who own the dog, who I reported who was Ill. It’s not cancer, just a bad infection of his larynx which should be treatable. Keeping a Cocker Spaniel quiet for the next couple of weeks will be a challenge. He should be up for a walk when I get back. 

So after a lunchtime eaten at the ferry terminal, the ferry finally arrived about half an hour late. I must get a ferry tracker loaded on the phone, so I can wait in the comfort inside. All the ferries toot just before they arrive which is helpful if you are close to the port… It was very cold at the harbour side and the shelter did not have any sides. It was a quick journey though and I was soon in my new apartment a whisker away from the port. It’s much the same as before, but it’s not a big apartment block. A lot of buildings here are hotels or rooms. After a quick coffee I went out for a walk. As I walked down to the town, there were a load of buses, waiting for the first bunch of holiday makers later this year.

The town is dominated by the Panagia Evangelistria church. ( Church of Mary) There is a wide uphill road leading up to it. I imagine they have a big Easter procession up it. It’s a vast complex and under the church are sacred water containers. The church itself is quite pretty outside but inside it’s hideously oppressive and dark. What makes it so, are hundreds of what the priest waves around to spread the incense smoke. There are literally hundreds hanging from the ceiling. Some have little metal models of ships hanging below them. I did not take a photo, because I did not think it was allowed and it would not have come out at all well. 

On the way back down  another road were loads of religious items on sale that pilgrims might buy. A lot of those shops were not open.

 Sadly there are a lot of new buildings. If you get off the main road there are side streets with more interesting tavernas,  shops and bars. There will be enough open for me. 

There were a few old buildings, ruins up for sale. I fancy they will just be demolished and not saved. This is a pity. 

Some kind person had built a duck house, but unfortunately two huge geese had taken up residence so the ducks were homeless.I continued around the coast away from the town and saw a monument to soldiers who died in the Balkan war. This is the 1912-13 one.

Eventually I reached the first beach, a very narrow affair, and this continues along with more rooms along the front. My plan tomorrow is to rent a car and explore the interior of the island. From the map it looks like there are not so many passable roads, there are meant to be quite a lot of trails on the island.