DIARY OF FAMILY IN GREECE

Moving to Greece With Children: The Restless Journey

How our journey was lengthened by a two-day stay in hospital

August 17, 2023 — Leaving France

We are leaving, it’s 4:00 p.m. We should move in the late morning, but… late as always.

“When do we arrive?”

“Come on, we’re just leaving!!!

The children are unbearable, wanting to stop, wanting to arrive, shouting, arguing, crying, what a mess! It is just the beginning, and it is the shorter part of the journey! What are the other days going to be like?!

Fortunately, a tunnel.

“Hey, we’re going through a tunnel! Yipee!”

Exclaims my boy joyfully, putting an end to the incessant bickering. What a relief!

“This is the second one.” “This is the third one.”

And he went like this till the end!!

After a meal break, we continued until Castel San Giovanni, where we stopped for the night. It was midnight. The hotel was just near the highway, perfect for us.

August 18 — On the way to Ancona

It’s our daughter’s birthday. We hope we can do something for her in the evening, on the boat.

This is the part of the journey that we dread, between the children’s limited ability to sit still for long periods and our fear of any problem that might cause us to miss the boat.

In the end, the journey went smoothly and we arrived relatively early in Ancona. Not early enough to visit, but we probably could have if we’d known how the boarding process worked. It was the first time.

Basically, I would have preferred to avoid the boat trip. So much pollution… I can’t stand it.

But then, I thought back to the first part of the journey.

Five days or more in the car would have been torture for our children, and for us too!

We parked the car in a queue on the boarding platform, and waited quietly for boarding to begin. Meanwhile, the children were watching the boats. We were due to board at 5:00p.m., and the boat must leave at 6:00p.m., but it is 6:00 p.m. and we are still in the car.

OK, now, here we go!

Unfortunately, the crew doesn’t have any birthday candles on board. At least, my daughter has a huge chocolate cake!

Five days or more in the car would have been torture for our children, and for us too!

My husband helped with an app he found, showing a lightened candle that extinguishes once you blow out it. What fun for my daughter!

August 19 — Boat trip

One thing I will not forget for future boat trips: never again travel with Minoan Lines. I was so disappointed by the crew.

This trip made me give up my dream to travel on a cargo.

The sound of the machinery, the humidity, the cold inside contrasting with the heat outside, the night disrupted by the arrival of new passengers, the lack of any places for children, and the worries of falling down the wet stairs: so many things that made me want to reach our destination as soon as possible.

This trip made me give up my dream to travel on a cargo.

Fortunately, sunset and sunrise are unique moments of beauty that compensate for my fatigue and disappointment.

The boat is now following the Albanian coast. Time to take great shots! The stop in Corfou is an enjoyable surprise.

Moreover, most of the passengers go off. More places for the children, more peace!

A short while later, Igoumenitsa, at least!

Greece, at least!

Now, towards Athens. Five hours to get there. We will arrive at around midnight.

Going through the Rion-Antirion bridge is stunning!

August 20 — Piraeus, Athens

It’s 2:00 a.m. My son has just fallen out of the bunk bed. Sh*t, we didn’t realize there was no railing… We got to Piraeus at midnight, we were exhausted… We screwed up.

There is blood everywhere. It’s wet under my feet. We come to our senses, it’s his ear that’s cut off.

My husband takes him by cab to the Athens emergency room. I’m anxious.

Maybe our choice wasn’t the right one… Leaving everything to spend a year in Crete without work, not speaking the language, and having no connections…

Safety standards aren’t the same here. I actually don’t know if there are any.

Alone with my daughter. I have to reassure her, even if I’m scared. I can’t sleep despite being so tired…

Maybe our choice wasn’t the right one…

Noon

I have to go out of this room to buy food, especially for my daughter because I’m not hungry but weak.

Come on, I have to go. No choice.

It’s Sunday, everything is closed. No, not everything. There are some kebab restaurants near the port. I would prefer another restaurant but never mind, let’s have a seat.

August 21 — Piraeus, still there

My son is okay. Examinations showed nothing alarming. He should be out in the afternoon.

I’m looking for another boat travel for the next few days. Fortunately, there is one tomorrow. Okay, I book it. I have to go to the office to register now. Yet again in town.

I don’t understand the lady at the office. She speaks English, but I’m too tired to get what she is saying. She seems to be upset by my difficulty in understanding her. She gave me the tickets without glancing at me or responding to my greeting… Quite shocking, and even more so when you are worn out and need some support.

Piraeus seems nice and enjoyable, but I’m not in the mood to appreciate it. My daughter’s smile and joy are my support. It’s in these moments that we see the strength of children. What they bring to us.

We probably need them more than they need us!

My daughter’s smile and joy are my support.

That’s it, my son is out of the hospital! Let’s go to the station. My boy is all stitched up and jumping around. What a relief! He showed me all the drawings he made during his stay at the hospital. Imagination is his best friend.

I’m lucky.

August 22 — Let’s go!

This time it’s okay, we can continue our journey to Crete. Second and last boat trip. Last heavy pollution.

I’m feeling better in this boat. It has a playroom for children. What a great idea! We can relax for a few moments.

A couple is playing with my kids. They appreciate their sociability. It makes me feel good. Children are often considered disturbing and intrusive — especially mine, but the Greeks have a completely different view. It’s one of the reasons why we chose to come. I will be more serene there.

The stop at Kythira, an island near the southern part of the Peloponnese, allows me to take some nice pictures.

10:00p.m. Kissamos. Crete at last!

Now, towards Apokoronas, the last route.

We’ve finally reached our destination. It’s now 11:00 p.m. Let’s have a sleep, a good one at least!

It’s now the start of our adventure in Crete. Landscapes, lifestyles, traditions, and so much to discover.

I share here my daily discoveries:

Any questions about living abroad as a family? Here are my mother’s musings column:

I presented the origin and the preparation of our family project to move to Greece in previous articles you can find here:

Let me now reveal to you the daily diary of the adventure of our journey! The wonders, disappointments, doubts, fears, and joys I had written while living these moments.

Thanks for reading!

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