European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Island hopping through Greece continued from Page 3 military space available travellers or from Piraeus the porn it of Athens. One of the most popular routes is Between these two Points. Travellers bound by ferry for Crete from Piraeus can Stop at Beautiful my Konos Lively los and dramatic Santorini along the Way. Some islands Are harder to get to. Several can be reached Only a couple of times per week and voyagers often have to change ferries several times to reach a destination. Keep in mind that All ferry travel a whether to the Remote islands or to the More accessible ones a is reliably unreliable. Also Crossings sometimes Are cancelled in the height of summer when the Meltem blows. This violent North wind keeps temperatures Down but whips up the seas. Therefore Don t set too tight a schedule. It in t uncommon to get stuck on an Island for several Days awaiting Onward transportation. This Means that Island hoppers have to be flexible. They can t be like the late writer Irwin Shaw who wrote that he hated being stuck on islands and could never live on one unless he Quot had a private Means of transportation a my own Navy or air  Island hoppers setting out from Piraeus the Hub of greek ferry traffic face a wide and bewildering Choice of sailings. Along the waterfront destinations and sailing times Are chalked on blackboards in front of scores of shipping agents. It ferry passengers should be aware that shipping agents will Only give them information that is in their Best interest. Agents Only sell tickets for ferries whose lines they represent and will lie about competitors sailings. Quot there is no sailing to my Konos at five tonight Quot one agent says Quot but there is one tomorrow  that s a lie. There is a sailing at 5 . And the agent is Well aware of it but he in t going to Tell the traveler because the sailing is by a ship he does t represent. No commission for him Means no information for you. So believe no one and trudge from agent to agent until you be gotten the full picture of which ships sail where and when. Or you can go to the Only totally reliable source of information a the port police or i Menachio. Port police stations found in every port and open around the clock have the latest information about ships sailing in or out of their harbours. It s Wise to Check ferry schedules immediately after arriving in a port in order to plan for your next journey. Ferry fares Are regulated by Law and despite recent hikes remain dirt cheap. This summer a ticket for a 5 /2-hour ferry ride from Piraeus to my Konos costs about $11. A six hour trip from my Konos to Santorini costs Only $8.50. Trips aboard hydrofoils known locally As flying dolphins Are much faster than ferries and Cost about twice As much. A two hour trip from Santorini to Iraklion runs approximately $16. Berths can be had on Long voyages and Cost Only a few Bucks More than Basic fares. The pleasure of anticipation is part and parcel of ferry hopping. Each new Harbor on an unfamiliar Island brings a Challenge and a it is hoped a a Delight. The Challenge begins at disembarkation when the ship is Rufet by a clutch of landlords carrying signs advertising lodgings. The Crafter ones tote photo albums illustrating what they have to offer. Compare what s available. No one will take offence if you shop around. No frills double rooms with private Bath and breakfast can be had for about $20. . A \ so Ltd it a Ltd a on the Island of Santorini a couple Stop their Scooter and watch a ferry depart for Iraklion Crete. Competitor is Tough to get the tourists. At the port in Santorini a woman carries a sign advertising rooms on the Beach. 4 stripes Magazine july 25, 1991