24 May 2012: Tickets are bought for the 0930 ferry leaving tomorrow morning on the 6 hour voyage from Naxos to Piraeus, we drove into the hinterland to explore the lush unspoilt villages we had read about near to the highest mountain (1001m) in the Cyclades named Zeus. The views along the way were spectacular panoramas. So many conical peaks often sporting a white church or monastery on their crest, note the top of the right hand summit (yes, it's hard to see but it is there!)

A view of one of the villages from above:

A scene so often observed but hard to photograph: (I asked permission!)

Paul with a donkey we met on one of the many marble paved streets:

A typical set of church bells:

Not the blue skies we have become accustomed to but neither was it the stormy rainy day that was forecast. The wind has been relentless over the past couple of days and we hope to leave that behind us tomorrow when we hit the mainland and head for Delphi. 25 May 2012: Now sitting on the incredible Blue Star Ferry ‘Paros’ that was nowhere in sight as we sat waiting on the quay, then in typical fashion, 5 minutes before departure time, she comes steaming into view, does a pirouette in the style of a speed boat, ramp goes down, cars and trucks pour off, foot passengers complete with luggage team down the ramp amongst the vehicles and then the same thing happens in reverse, enabling the embarking vehicles and passengers onboard. We have not reached our seats before she is already steaming out of the harbour! A turn around time of around 10 minutes, something the Greeks are very good at. We have the laptop with us as wi-fi is available and there is much catching up to do during the long trip.