Wonderful Bird Descending by me.
We received a phone call from Mykonos Airport about 4p.m. to say that a group of travellers had just taken off from there in a helicopter en route to our island and our holiday villa. We knew that their flight from London had been delayed about 3 hours as the guests had already informed us that morning, so they had missed their ferry connection to our island, Syros.
Syros has a small airport for local flights, but not privately hired helicopters, it seemed. We found this out when we arrived at the airport, someone indicated that 'helicopters land somewhere over there' by waving his arm towards the nearby coastline.
So, Keystone Cops style, we shot backwards & forwards trying to find out exactly where the 'helipad' was, Vassilis driving, me on the phone to the customs police/ port police/ travel offices/ friends/ anyone... including a man & his dog walking by. All answers were vague.
It turned out to be a tiny cliff edge next to an extremely stinky sewage plant, surrounded on all sides by electric cables. Oh, and I forgot to mention, in a Force 9 Gale. Eeeek!
As the helicopter appeared & hovered shakily over the cliff, we glimpsed 4 deathly pale faces peering nervously out at said cables, the pilot as cool as a cucumber as he expertly guided his mighty swaying bird in to land, over a wild tempestuous sea.
" Welcome!"
"Welcome to Syros!"
we chirruped as they staggered towards us after opening the helicopter door & after being smacked in the face by wind & the not so welcoming aroma.
Back at the villa, after a much needed sit down & a drink, they all saw the funny side to this surreal adventure & went on to have a wonderful 2 week vacation. What a relief for all involved!
Seasonal Greetings & Kronia Polla to everyone from us in Syros!
Ann & Vassilis.