We took the overnight ferry from Piraeus [Athens} to Chania, Crete because the ferry from Gytheio to Kissamos was not operating. We had to drive back to Piraeus [3 1/2 hours] to catch the 9:00 pm ferry – the Blue Galaxy [operated by Blue star Ferries but we bought our tickets from Anek Lines] to Chania.
https://www.bluestarferries.com/en/
It was not a bad drive considering that we decided to stop over [yet again] at our favorite winery [Ktima Bairakaris] to get some refills for Crete. We are leaving these wine bottles every where in Greece! Mandy met us at the door [wonderful young lady]… more wine for us!
Made it to Piraeus in plenty of time of grab a Gyros Pita sandwich from a lovely little Pita place [with a cold beer first and some discussions on what is happening in the world] and sit in the park after picking up our tickets at the Anek Lines Port office; very nice friendly staff.
http://www.anek.gr/portal/page/portal/ANEK_prod
The park was almost empty and was a quiet sojourn from the hustle and bustle of the city noise. As we sat and ate our sandwich a lady came to our bench and asked if it was ok to sit, we of course, said yes. As we began talking we found out that she has a restaurant on one of the the small Saronic islands of Poros and she had just missed her ferry. She regaled us with the adventures of her life and how she once mentioned in a fancy 5 star resort that the ‘Greek salad’ she was served was ‘not really’ a Greek salad…that comment started a friendship for her and her husband that has lasted more than 20 years and half a world away in Bali.
As we discussed cooking I mentioned that we had loved a dish called ‘papaschiaka… ‘little shoes’ and she proceeded to tell me in great detail how to make it. Her recipe is called Matina’s Papaschiaka. Look for the recipe soon on the Greece recipes page once it is family taste tested!
It was a wonderful experience meeting another person who loved food and has her own restaurant “Matina’s Taverna” on Poros, just a quick ferry ride from Athens. Check it out here: https://www.google.gr/maps/place/Matinas+Taverna/@37.5072226,23.4532066,18z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x258235d5069c0e39!8m2!3d37.5076349!4d23.4528863?hl=en
Back to the port to board the ship and an easy boarding it was because they allowed everyone to board as they came and we were ensconced in our cabin at about 6:15. The outside cabin was clean, bright and had a lovely little washroom with a shower. My main concern was the sheets and bedding [after the goat smell in the previous one]…alas, everything was fresh and clean and lovely! I was happy.
A quick meal and an early night for a 5:00 am rise. We slept well.
©MTQ
TravelSpirit-The Hungry Traveler 