The plan for the day - the 3 island cruise, stopping at Hydra, Poros and Aegina. As always, the BISAK contingent were met with eager to please smiles by the ferry's crew. The day was sunny with calm waters and a slight breeze. No seasickness was experienced this year..... a huge sigh of relief was given by the teachers. Mrs Roberts and Mrs Hull were grateful that they didn't have to clean up after Ms Naidoo who was actually not as green as last year. Although, Mr Gray did find it amusing to keep swaying in front of her to get her going!
The highlight of the ferry journey was not as much the Greek dancing lessons as the massage chairs that were available. Up to 20 Euros was spent on these chairs. One particular budding businessman (Karam) was giving his own massages to earn money for the massage chair.
One very diligent child, Sahil, chose to ignore all the entertainment and instead worked on his activity booklet.
The idyllic island lifestyle was appreciated by all the children especially Hydra where motor vehicles are limited and animals are used for transport around the island. However, we realised we still carried a part of Saudi Arabia with us when Aya, pointing at a mule shouted, "Look at the poor camel!"
The backstreets of the islands were explored and as usual the shopkeepers' eyes lit up when they saw a party of 25 heading their way. Youssef almost had to spend his pocketmoney on damages when his backpack almost hit a display cupboard full of ceramic souveniers. Not much of Poros was seen as 25 minutes of the 35 minutes given for the tour of the island was taken up by buying delicious gelato. Mr Gray using his power of negotiations, got the teachers' ice creams for free.
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| Our ferry's saxophonist enjoying gelato too |
We also got to sample some of the islands' pistachio nuts but poor Areej had to stay far away from them....around every street corner. She moaned that she may as well have stayed on the ferry.
While Mr Gray impressed with his knowledge of Ancient Greek artefacts, parents be warned that the shards of 'ancient pottery' that are being carried back, may incur excess luggage charges and being fined by the Greek authorities for smuggling artefacts out of the country.
After a long and tiring day, we left Aegina and headed back to the Marina Flisvos. An indication of just how tired the children were, was Areesha asking Mrs Roberts as we were boarding at Aegina, "What's a ferry?"
