After the truly wonderful holiday on the Greek island of Crete in 1999, once again the Tegelund family were lured to the Greek islands. The criteria were: a small, quiet island with an airport (no boat transfers); short bus transfer to the hotel; a hotel with a pool, nearby sandy beaches and hot sun.

We thought we were booking early at the very beginning of January, but even then we did not have many choices. There was an apartment at the hotel of our choice so we booked straightaway. We then had the never-ending wait through the long, dark, cold winter months until July.

Finally, the departure day arrived and it was up early and to the Airport for our 7.30 a.m. departure. Jessica, as usual, was very uptight and was the first to throw up after the taxi ride! On the plane, I was amazed by neighbouring Swedes who consumed an incredible amount of booze - before and after breakfast!

We arrived in the small, chaotic airport on Samos and managed to rescue our suitcase that was being carried off by another traveller - same case and colour, wrong stickers! The army of buses waited in the hot sun to take travellers to their respective resorts. Bertil and I were given differing bus numbers so had to ask numerous times in order to make sure we were heading in the right direction.

Samos had experienced extensive forest fires the year before and so vegetation was sparse for a while. The small winding road slowly wound up the mountainside - and I immediately began to fear for poor Jess and Björn that are such poor travellers! I sat tense waiting for the first to complain - but they managed to hold off until we arrived at the hotel! The journey was a test even for my tummy! The bus driver should receive a medal for manovering the vehicle along the tiny streets with buildings almost touching at times in the little villages. It was a long 1 1/2 hours!

Our apartment in the hotel in Votsalakia was small and in need of redecoration but adequate. The kids eagerly chose which bed they would sleep in - basically sleeping in the kitchen-cum-living room. Our bedroom had a small window but certainly no space for dancing!

After quickly unpacking we headed for a swim in the pool. One we could see from our balcony but that was deep and after investigation found another two wonderful pools. After our swim we took a walk along the "high street" in Votsalakia - food and tourist shops lines and road as well as the many restaurants. Our first impression was that it certainly did not have the charm of Georgiopoli on Crete but would serve our purposes.

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