What a day!! I noticed a sign in the harbour for a boat trip leaving at 9.30. Arrived at 9.15. Sign said to pay at kiosk. No kiosk and, subsequently, no boat. Being in a boating mood I wandered along to a motor boat rental place. Greek lady explained that 4 people was the minimum required and then pointed to three women sitting on a bench (smiley Czech girl, her mum and Italian wumman) "They are looking for a fourth." We each paid 10 Euros and entered the boat piloted by Stavros. No one spoke a word of English and we had no idea where we were going. After 20 minutes we arrived at a beach, deserted apart from a small cafe.
Stavros helped us off the boat and said, "See you at 2.00" and off he went. I drew a clock in the sand to explain the situation and we sort of set up camp.
Communication was entirely by gesture and only two were needed: scoop hands and wave arms to side meant "I think I will go for a swim" and wrist swivelling meant "I am going to the caff." After an hour the Czech girl suddenly produced some plastic bats and a ball. She mimed some sort of doubles match. I mimed poorly shoulder and was excused play.
I went for a swim but something touched my leg and I had to get out.
By noon I had had more than enough but had no way to communicate this except by an interpretive dance which would have taxed Marcel Marceau. I swivelled my wrist, went to the caff, got them to call a taxi and went back to my car.
They are probably still looking for me and now I have to hide in case I bump into any of them again.
My knees are burnt.
