Day 20 (2/4/14) - Naxos Wandering

Apollo's Door as seen from Kastro Castle

Yassas, we'll start today with a few Greek factoids:

1. You do not flush toilet paper, you wrap it up and throw it in the bin next to you. Why, you ask, isn't Greece the cradle of civilisation?, well yes you are correct, but unfortunately the sewer system also dates back to the start of civilisation and doesn't cope under modern strains
2. There are stray dogs and cats everywhere, quite heart-breaking really. Athens has a program where rather than euthenising the animals, they sterilise them and release them out again. Many are also sent to Germany to be re-homed
3. As Darryl Kerrigan (The Castle) said "what is it with wogs and cash?". There is a financial crisis here yet particularly in Athens, bars and cafes are full and they all pay in cash. I asked my new friend Vasilli where the money comes from?. He tells me they get it from parents, Greeks like to socialise!

Another view of the harbour from the castle

Just to prove we are really here

The castle's toilet facility dating centuries, told you they were old! 

And here is the simulation - Gina insisted

Prominent castle views over harbour

So today we kept it local as there is still so much to see in the harbour area. We visited Kastro Castle, a Venetian building that is now a museum and still displays many of the relics of it's day during Venetian rule in Naxos. Not all of it was open, that happens for the summer tourist traffic, but we still got a good feel for the place and how many of the comforts and utilities we enjoy today have existed for centuries. We casually strolled the streets around the castle, visiting the marble clad, catholic church and administration buildings, also built in Venetian times. It is difficult to convey the sense of history in Europe, in words. It really has to be experienced.

Now digressing to the animal factoid, forever sympathetic to the plight of animals, Gina regularly tries to give some affection to these strays by feeding them as they come our way. Surprisingly, most animals are really friendly and approachable, and many seem OK with their lot. Still no excuse for their abandonment. Anyway, we carry a small supply of treats for the cats and dogs, so that "crazy cat (or dog) lady" can add a ray of sunshine to their existence.

When Gina said she wanted to be Cat Woman, this isn't what I thought she had in mind

Dinner, highly recommend this place to Naxos visitors

Dinner...Before

Dry well my pets for soon you will be ours..bwah..hah..hah

So to happier topics, yes food. Whilst we were enjoying a light lunch, a pita gyro each and a couple of cokes....6 euro....how good is that, we chanced upon some octopus caught that morning drying on the harbour promenade, food safety is all relative I suppose. We decide then that dinner is now sorted. We enjoyed a beautiful grilled octopus with a couple of (small) bottle of ouzo and had a great night. The owner told us to trust him, warning bells usually sound at this, but he chose well on our behalf, we told him what we wanted, he took care of the rest. And what would you expect to pay for this awesomeness, 35 euro. Which actually raises another factoid on the fly, eating well, and eating out, is actually relatively inexpensive in Greece. Well in our experience anyway, that said there hasn't been 5-star dining, and we haven't held back either!.

Later in the afternoon

Fish salad for mezze

Dinner...After

So the night finished with a complimentary dessert and raki, both of which were interesting in their own right. The raki was blended with honey and cinnamon and tasted much like a mulled wine, very nice indeed. The dessert was a simple Greek yoghurt with caramelised carrot, delish!. When Gina wins the 2014 QOP, this might be the 2015 selection.

Greek Yoghurt with caramelised carrot...don't knock till you try

This afternoon we bought our ferry tix for a day trip to the island of Paros. Stay tuned!