I am going to have a rant…..I left Leros this morning, got up at 7am, had a taxi booked by the hotel for 8am from Alinda to Ayia Marina for the 08.55 ferry to Patmos, as instructed by the previous hotel, and booking agent in Platonas. The taxi came early, with another passenger already in, I was told to hurry up, we set off and missed the turning for Ayia Marina. When I asked where we were going I was told Lakki Port for the ferry. I explained I had been told Ayia Marina….he called Port Police, they confirmed the ferry would leave Lakki, so we continued. I was in the taxi for literally 5 minutes, maybe 6, with another passenger, and when we arrived at the port he asked for €15. I had been in a taxi from Ayia Marina to Alinda, the same distance and it had been €6! I asked about the other passenger and surely we share the fair, he said not to worry and this was normal. I negotiated €10, he wanted €15 then showed me the taxi board with prices for journeys from Lakki to Alinda. That said €14. The other lady was looking on and waiting to pay, she understand a little English and I think she was agreeing, but she pulled some notes out and paid him too! I was getting madder at this point as it seemed really unfair to charge us both the full fair, plus I was worried about which bloody boat I was going to end up on. I gave him €15 and waited for my €1 change (out of principal) and then off I stomped. I bought my €8 ticket to travel 2 hours on the ferry and bought a coffee. I was really pissed off. Then I felt bad, like I usually do if I’ve been a bit irate or rude. So I had another coffee and then went over to the taxi driver in the rank, gave him the €1 and said sorry for being angry, I was tired and needed a coffee blah blah blah. He smiled and laughed and said it was ok. So I felt a bit better.

The ferry arrived, people and cars and an army truck disembarked and then I climbed on, left my bag on the side of the roughly marked out luggage area and went upstairs to watch the hustle and bustle. The lady from the taxi came over and in broken English said to me the taxi was too much!! She paid and I paid and that was no good, but she thought this was normal. How frustrating! At least I’m here and on the right boat! I’ll update you when I reach Patmos.