Thursday 5 October 2017

People Watching

Always time for a coffee


Wherever you sit down the first thing to be served  will be a glass of water, or in a posher place they will ask if you'd like a bottle of mineral water


The hydrofoil comes in from Hydra


It's Sunday so there is a crowd of city slickers waiting to return to Athens.  They all crowd onto the Flying Dolphin (hydrofoil), next stop Piraeus harbour


Next arrival, the big Flying Cat (catamaran) comes in from Piraeus, bringing a new load of visitors





Two island hoppers make their way to the catamaran.  They're on their way to their next island, either Hydra or Spetses




You can't see it in this photo but just above the black stripe near the waterline there is another black line from oily residue.  A tanker sank just outside Piraeus harbour leaking thousands of tons of mazut (fuel oil).  The pollution has befouled the southern beaches of the island of Salamina and caused an oil slick which has spread up the coast of Athens,  putting all beaches out of limits



 On a very hot morning the big fans in the cafe brought us a little air.  


This yacht sailed by flying a black and white Canadian flag.  
Anyone know why it is black and white and not red and white?




15 comments:

  1. You live in the most wonderful place for people watching, how lucky you are.

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    1. A lot to see. Nearly everyone on the island passes along this waterfront. You can see who talks to who, what they are wearing, where they are going. No secrets here!

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  2. I've never seen a black and white Canadian flag. I tried to find out what it means and where it came from but I couldn't find anything. I think other Canadians would take offense at it. Maybe they're wannabe pirates!!lol

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    1. We were actually sitting next to a Canadian couple when it sailed past and they couldn't understand why it was black and white either. Wierd

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  3. So sad about the oil spill. So much damage. I hope they get to clean it all up quickly
    So busy there. I’m pooped just reading it.

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    1. The beaches up the coast of Athens are very popular with the locals and many swim all year round. Some of them are supposed to be safe now. Would hate to get any sort of oil or tar on me or my towel!!

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  4. From what I understand, oil slicks disappear naturally much faster than people imagine. Best just to leave them alone, and wait!

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    1. It s that nasty black stuff that washes up on beaches that is so disturbing. Summer wasn't quite over when this happened and all up the coast the summer trade came to a roaring halt.

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  5. They were probably from Quebec. They do things differently.

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    1. Another break-away state? Woul explain the black flag!

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    2. I did see a blue and white version in Quebec, it was a political statement that they didnt want the red. I have never seen the black... Maybe it fades less in the sun?

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  6. Oh no no no, Is the oil slick affecting Poros?.bits washing up?.

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    1. It won't reach our beaches but salamina has a problem and maybe aegina

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  7. Had a nightmare woke up thinking was on Vagonia beach trampling through oil in wellies, disposable BBQ in one hand , ouzo n other rain pouring down, no hand to hold an umberella being blown inside out. Then woke up!.

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