Kalymnos!

Good news: I got a new phone. Well, it's used, but it was cheap. I even got a data plan for 10 Euro. Traveling now is almost too easy, I feel like I'm cheating. 

I only spent 1 night in Athens but I feel like I saw most of what I would want to see. The old ruins strewn about the city were fascinating. Attempting to wrap my head around the idea that people were here constructing these magnificent structures out of massive marble blocks 2300 years ago was difficult to say the least. At the same time, I didn't care much for the modern city of Athens that has engulfed this beautiful landscape. But you know me, I don't care much for most cities. With that said, the squares and markets were still fun to explore. 

By time I settled into my hostel, Acropolis was closed for the day but it didn't stop me from finding a sweet lookout nearby and enjoying the citadel from a distance as it basked in the evening sun. 

Here's one of the many squares found around the city. Lots of energy and activity and insanely cheap fruits and veggies! 

My hostel was close enough to all the action that I was able to walk to everywhere I wanted to see but far enough away that it was quiet and included strolls down streets such as this one here.

The view from the roof wasn't too bad either.

The next morning I headed to Acropolis. The ticket booths and hoards of people immediately put me off but I resolved to look past it (although each selfie stick I encountered made me increasingly disappointed in my species... Why must you ruin every single picture of this glorious display of human achievement with your big ugly face?!?). 

For hours I walked around, trying to picture what it was like to build this place and subsequently live, pray, vote and be entertained here... I did my best to eavesdrop on passing tours as the placards strewn about lacked so much information. It was an incredible place nonetheless!

Later that day I made my way to the subway station and headed for the port. I boarded a ferry that would take me on a 10 hour journey to the island of Kalymnos. Bringing beer on board was easier than expected and before you know it I was having a jolly good time sitting on the outdoor deck watching Athens get farther and farther away. And before you know it I was out cold in the lounge area as my jet lag from Australia was still very much present. 

The ferry docked at Kalymnos at 1 AM. For a minute I considered making the 2 hour walk from port to my room. Then I considered trying to hitch a ride. The first car that drove by yelled at me to get a taxi. Greek islands are definitely not the place to be a cheap homeless dirtbag... I caved and paid the 15 Euro for a taxi. 

There are no hostels in Kalymnos and there's definitely no camping. The accommodation of choice here is studios. Per a recommendation from a friend in Arapiles (Thanks Nicole!), I setup a reservation with Rita's Studio in Massouri. She said she would leave the key in front of the door for me. Upon arrival at 1:30 AM I discovered there was no key. 20 minutes of searching the grounds revealed nothing. All of the windows were locked except for the small window in the bathroom. I ninja'd my way up the wall and squeezed my body through the tight opening, feet first. I was in! Trying to fall asleep was tough though, as my brain actively wondered whether I was at the right place and right room and whether someone would come knocking in the morning with police by their side. 

No police in the morning. I headed to the reception wondering whether or not I should mention that I essentially broke into the room. The owner's mother was there and was the sweetest person ever. She gave me some biscuits, made me sit down and began to tell me her entire life story as well as an update on all of the members of her family. In the end she gave me the key, no questions asked, and offered me a discount without me asking for one. I only need to pay 13 Euro per night and I can stay for as long as I desire (they're still in their off season which is apparently very difficult to get through each year. 

My God this place is great!! After sleeping on the ground or in dirty hostel dorms for the last 3 months, I feel like I'm now taking a vacation from my vacation. I get an entire studio complete with a kitchen and bathroom and seaside deck. I don't even know what to do with all this stuff but I'm thinking I might stay here longer than originally planned. 

Today has been spent getting groceries, unpacking and general settling in type stuff. 10 minutes ago I acquired some climbing partners. There's a group of 3 people staying in another studio above me. Tomorrow we'll be renting a car and going to some crags that are farther away from town (there's a ton of climbing that's only a 5-15 minute walk from here as well).