Chios. 23rd Sept
Ferry from Piraeus to Chios. Blue Star Ferries.
NISSOS RODOS is a ship in the Hellenic Seaways fleet which operates routes to the islands of Chios and Lesvos. Built in 1987, it travels at a speed of 22 knots and can accommodate up to 2,210 passengers and 748 vehicles at once.
We were really impressed with this ferry service, easy boarding and a larger cabin than the last ferry with two single beds & shower room. All very clean and more importantly peace and quiet for the next 8 hours.
We arrived at Chios at 5.30 am a very small port the entrance directly lead to the small main town. We had no accommodation booked, so knew we would be waiting for sun rise before any decisions could be made. We parked just 5 minutes from the port and rested until dawn.
In the meantime, we searched the schedule for ferries over to Turkey we already knew they were not frequent and definitely not every day. It had not been possible to book any tickets on line and I did wonder whether there would be a problem once we arrived even. However, there was one due today at 9.30 and we would have to wait for the office to open to find out if space was available. We had decided not to stay on Chios purely because of our lack in booking somewhere to stay in time and not feeling confident in when we could cross over to Turkey.
Day light, we moved the car closer to the office in eager anticipation of opening time, Ed was ready. First in the door he secured the last car space available and we were directed to drive to the end of the road along the pier and take a right where where we should wait for the Ferry rep. The smallest port and terminal I have ever seen, one small office a couple of chairs and a drinks machine. A few people started to arrive but still no officials. We sat in the car and waited. No ferry yet, we thought no doubt it’s running late. A fishing boat before us we looked on wondering what kind of fish they catch. I looked at the tickets we had to make sure of the times we had been given, something rang a bell, what was it. San Nikolas 256 that’s a nice name. What, Oh no the Fishing boat San Nicolas there in front of us all this time. Surely it can’t be. Yes, it was, the San Nicolas can accommodate ony two cars side by side and you never guess how many passengers, 100.
Once we went through this tiny boarder control and our passports stamped the task now was for Ed to drive on to this fishing/ferry Boat. The other car funny enough the same as ours, boarded first. At least we would see how it is done. I was instructed by the staff to exit the car and board by foot and Ed to drive on close up to the other car. I must say even though I could see the hesitation on Ed’s face, he approached slowly and accurately and before we knew it the wooden blocks were being placed behind our wheels. Well done !
God help us I thought, should we be texting the kids to let them know what stretch of water we might possibly be at the bottom of in the next half hour.
We sat for a while in the car still coming to terms with our choice of transport, 100 Greek people all around us had now boarded too, most with large bags and suit cases, all empty. This crossing very popular it turns out for the islanders to take advantage of the very cheap produce available in Turkey, due to the exchange rate from Euros to Turkish Lira. A £20 return ticket to cross easily recuperated in savings on cigarettes, alcohol, food and a lovely day out in beautiful Cesme. We watched the passengers chatting, eating, drinking and way too many of them smoking, oblivious at this point of why they had been making this trip so eagerly. We eventually stepped out of the car to take in the view. The wind once again blowing through my hair. Turkey there just 35 minutes from one side to the other. We could see all the wind turbines whirling around on the hills as we approached Cesme.
We both had a warm excited feeling inside, Turkey a familiar land and language.
Gunaydin.
