AS a child I wished my name was not Aby but ABBA and I’d confidently introduce myself as Abbadabba.
My lifetime love of ABBA and the movie Mumma Mia obviously meant that when my European holiday came around it had to involve a visit to Athens, Ios and Santorini.
The dream almost came to a screeching halt when on the first day of our Greek stay I came a “croppa at the Acropolis” and broke my foot.
I didn’t let that stop me and with the aid of a moon-boot and one crutch we set off at dawn to catch a ferry to Ios.
The Greek ferries have a capacity of 1,600 people and they waste no time getting people on and off. You are met with a large ramp to get your suitcases up, as you are pushed by hundreds of people in every direction while the deckhands blow whistles at you and tell you Go! Go! Go!
This part of the Greek experience felt like we were taking part in a military exercise.
While imaging this, also realise we were carrying two large suitcases, two carry-on bags, two handbags and I had a broken foot. It was as traumatising as it seems.
After six hours on the ferry, we arrived in Ios which only has a population of 2000 residents.
It’s known for its incredible nightlife and the videos online promised us that we’d party until dawn at some of the best venues and DJs in the world.
Devastatingly we were a few weeks too early and most places were closed.
We had two full days in Ios so we planned to explore the island via ATV bikes.
We had fun riding along the to try a vast range of local cheese, honey and wines.
Off-roading under the glistening Greek sun with ABBA blasting seemed like a dream come true until our ATV started making some strange noises far away from home.
Then to make it worse it caught on fire.
Running away from a burning ATV in a moon boot was not fun.
With an interesting stay in Ios behind us we headed off to our final stop of Santorini and what a place it turned out to be.
Until next week.
Ratings
IOS: 8/10
Kritikaris Village
Hotel: 7/10
Local Food: 9/10
