Off to a flying start - not!

We got up at 03:00 today, excited about starting our trip to Zante. Left the house just after 03:30, so as to get to the airport and take the shuttle bus to the terminal to check in at around 4 or soon after. Chose to get on to the M25 at Godstone, along to J7 and down the M23 to Gatwick - no problem. But ...... The slip road was closed - work associated with the roadworks going on all the way from J4.

Need to think quickly - back to Purley and then A23 through Coulsdon? Or down the A22, A25 through Redhill? Ah no, here's a diversion sign, we'll follow that. Disaster! Now we are on the M25 going the wrong way. Where will we turn round? You guessed it - J4! There followed a fairly silent trip (maybe a 40 mile round trip?) to the Orpington junction and back at 50mph through all the roadworks.

Got to the checkin desk just after 5. Checked in OK, and just made it through all the formalities in time to make a dash straight to the departure gate.

Flight was fine. On final approach to land, when the engines roared into full throttle, and we went round again. Undercarriage trouble? Technical problem? No, animal on the runway. Welcome to Greece😊

The hotel is very quiet, and everyone we've seen so far are oldies, like us. The beach is a bit of a disappointment. Looks a bit like cement powder, a bit grey and there is lots of seaweed which looks like paper after it has been shredded. As with most Mediterranean places there are quite a few derelict, abandoned buildings so it all looks a bit unloved  and messy. The sea is very shallow so people were way out and only just up to their knees. This whole beach area is a breeding ground for loggerhead turtles and there are countless trips to go turtle spotting. 

We fell asleep this afternoon so missed the "welcome" . There is another one tomorrow so hopefully we will get some information about the island and what there is to do here.

Here's a photo of the crowded pool. Have to get our towels out early in the morning.