Sailing from Mytilene, Lesvos at dusk ,after a smooth six hours onboard the Nel ship, Taxiarches, we docked in Myrina, Lemnos. According to the Lonely Planet Guide's map we should be getting off right in the middle of town and have a short walk to our hotel. As the ship reversed in it was obvious that we were docking at a different end with a long walk around the harbour.
As we dragged our bags off the back ramp of the ferry we decided to look for a taxi. A minivan with a 'city centre' sign was loading people so we threw our bags in. The driver asked for our destination, shrugged at our response and drove off. I wished I had learnt a few more Greek phrases. After winding through backstreets he pulled up in an empty square and pointed down a dark alley. I had no idea where I was. A young girl also getting off the bus offered to help us, even though it was out of her way and she also had not heard of our hotel. As we rolled and bumped our bags down a cobbled lane a woman taking her dog for a walk discussed with the young girl our destination and pointed to a darkened building. As we parted company with the young girl we thanked her profusely, pressing a fluffy koala souvenir into her uncomprehending hand.
The building did resemble the photos from the internet booking so I knocked on the door of the empty reception area. No answer after repeated knocking on the locked door. I wrote down the hotel phone number and went in fruitless search for a pay phone.
Instead I wandered into the only open shop in the square, Cyber Rat, where the owner and his friend, who spoke some Anglika, were drinking scotch and closing up. They phoned the number I gave them and said there was no answer. They tried again. I thanked them anyway and left.
On the way back I noticed an upstairs bedroom light left on, it could be accessed by an outside stairway. Great, we wouldn't be cooling our heels till daybreak in the plastic chairs in the garden, the owners had left our room open. I crept up the stairs, stepping on and scaring the mandatory Greek cat, and peered into the window. There was a lump in the bed. I retreated downstairs and encouraged Michelle to try an upstairs door on the presumption that they might be less likely to arrest a woman for trespass. I followed creepily behind her as she opened a door leading down a hall with bedroom doors either side. Breaking and entering a strange house at 2am was not our cup of tea so we strategically withdrew, resigning ourselves to a cold uncomfortable wait.
I hear the buzz of a scooter pull up and saw that it was one of the Cyber Rats. He explained that the owners had called back and had left a key in a downstairs room that could be entered by an unlocked side door. I clapped him on the shoulder and could have kissed him, well maybe not. we slept the sleep of the just until we were awoken by the strange sound of my bedside phone. It was 10.30am and someone was saying something about 'Shaun', oh, reception. I hurriedly dressed and booked in. Minutes later I found myself clinging to the owner as we sped through town on his scooter on the way to his 'friend' who would give me a good deal on my scooter.
I must say the Lemnos locals are real friendly folks.
Katsuraki Sofia Apartment
Inside Katsuraki Apartment
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