Lets be clear here I am not racist and this blog is not a slur on the nature of the Greek nation, most of whom are wonderful warm people but it is simply a warning to easy going, friendly and naive tourists!
There are 2 stories here – firstly in Santorini and then in Athens and they both happened on the same day. I openly admit that the easy going, friendly and naive tourist in the story is me!!!!
Santorini
Santorini is without a doubt a place for lovers – the romance is palatable in the air, the views are breath taking, the beaches are unique and the Mediterranean Sea is warm and inviting.
It is akin to stepping into a postcard!
Then you see your first sunset over the Caldera…photos cannot adequately capture the exceptional cascade of colours as the sun slowly moves down over the horizon and then quietly disappears leaving the sky in the hue of a rainbow.
However Santorini is also a place for goats and unless you you packed your hiking gear and spent at least 6 months in training, to see this magical island you really need to hire a car!
……..and here the sorry saga begins……and the warning for all intrepid travellers.
The hiring of the car is not difficult. In fact my experience was completely seamless, and seriously friendly, perhaps a little expensive but I paid happily, in cash of course and jumped into this little red smart car complete with retractable roof.
Driving on the wrong side of the road was a little confronting but I slowly wound my way around the island, stopping often to sigh at the incredible view and lamenting my single state.
Imagine narrow roads winding relentlessly around an island with steep cliffs on one side of you and the ocean on the other and then add numerous other cars and tourist buses either following you or coming at you, not to mention that cars are parked on both sides of the road in places and you will begin to understand that you rarely exceed 40 km per hour.
However, I was not in a hurry and just a little bit proud of myself that I had managed to do this all on my own…I even took the confident selfie making sure that the viewer could see my hair blowing in the wind. Yes I was in Santorini and I was driving!
I was so excited about my enriching experience that I decided that I would keep the car over night and do it all over again in the morning but with more confidence and get to the other side of the island as well.
Upon returning my car all seemed well and I arranged for a transfer (with the same car hire company) to the airport later in the day and then wandered down to a wonderful little cafe on the cliff face of the Caldera to say farewell. It was when I returned for the transfer that it began to unwind.
Firstly, despite the fact that I was precisely on time, I was left sitting for over half an hour whilst other customers came and went. Finally the shop emptied and the female owner, with whom I had concluded all earlier transactions in excellent English, approached me and now in faltering English told me that there was a problem with the car and that I had to make restitution for the damage I had caused.
You can only imagine my response! I was completely gobsmacked – damage? I had barely got out of first gear.. I tried to discuss with her but she said – “I no speak good English – better you talk to my son”. So I was taken to another room where he aggressively accused me of damaging the car in 2 places, showed me some obscure photos – because of course the car had been rehired – and proceeded to demand that I paid for the damages, which amazingly enough he had already been able to have assessed and quoted.
I could feel the panic welling up in me starting with my toes…I could barely breathe! I had to get to the airport and they had my luggage. I denied the accusations and then he threatened to call the police! OMG I thought I am going to end up on the news! Middle Aged Woman arrested in Santorini !!!
I momentarily considered just acquiescing quietly, so I asked how much it was going to cost me. I could see the confidence on this young man’s face as he informed me 200 Euro should clear it up and of course in cash. I saw red and I gathered all my courage and told him NO – please call the police.
Somehow my assertive response (and no doubt that a new customer had now entered the premises wanting to hire a car), changed the nature of the interrogation and he then tried to guilt me into paying because his brother would have to pay because they had not checked the car when I had returned it. I stood my ground, refused and demanded that we now go to the airport which he reluctantly agreed to.
As I approached the car I took a quick snap of the car yard for posterity and got into the back seat. Suddenly the door opened and he literally ordered me out of the car – panic set in again and when he demanded that I delete the photo or they would not drive me to the airport I just did what he asked (little did he know I had one from earlier in the day…).
Of course he was worried that I would post this on Social Media or maybe he knew about my new role as Travel Writer for Bumbering Around.
So, you have been warned…. https://www.santorini.com/rentals/sunbirdcarrental/
