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Frequently Asked Questions
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| ATM cards |
| These cards can be used at Automatic Teller Machines situated at Banks in Aegina Town or at the ATM situated outside the Supermarket in the middle of the main street of Aghia Marina. |
| Bank hours |
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Monday - Thursday: 08:00 - 14:00 |
| Credit Cards |
| Internationally known credit cards are widely honoured. Look for the sticker in the window. |
| Currency |
| The Greek monetary unit is the EURO/ € |
| Dangerous Animals |
| Nothing to worry about even in
the wild and rocky parts. However there are snakes and scorpions - they will not harm you unless disturbed. During the hot season jelly fish can sometimes be found floating near to the water surface. In case of bites, animal scratches and jelly fish stings, see the doctor immediately. |
| Duty Free |
| The laws concerning duty on Cigarettes
and Alcohol have changed and it is no longer cheaper to buy these items
at duty free shops at airports. However, as both of these items are relatively
inexpensive in Greece, you may wish to buy them on the island. Cartons of cigarettes can be ordered from most kiosks or cigarette shops a couple of days prior to your departure. Alcohol can be purchased at supermarkets and liquor outlets. Perfume and makeup etc can still be bought duty free at the airport, but look around, as sometimes these items can be purchased for less in the local shops. |
| Electricity |
| 220 volts. Most points are two pin. Adapters are difficult to find on the island. |
| Exchange |
| Some hotels and travel agencies
offer Exchange services. However, if you are in Aegina Town or Athens remember to take your passport with you, as you will need this as proof of identity when exchanging travellers' cheques or eurocheques. Travellers' cheques - Any amount of currency may be cashed in one day. Cheques must be countersigned in the presence of a cashier. Eurocheques - They must be signed in the bottom right hand corner and endorsed on the reverse with your name and card number. |
| Mosquitos |
| From May onwards with the rise in temperature you will find it useful to have an anti-mosquito machine. These can be purchases locally. Plug into the electricity in the early evening. |
| Loss of passport |
| If you lose your passport whilst
on holiday in Aghia Marina: 1. Report loss to local police at Mesagros (0030) 22970 71201 2. Report to your Embassy in Athens The Embassy will issue an emergency passport for your return to your country. You must take with you your return flight ticket as proof of travel and any other ID you might have with you. You will also need 4 passport style photographs. British Embassy Athens: Open Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 13:30 hours Telephone: (0030) 210 7236211 Address: 1 Ploutarchou St., Athens |
| Loss of/ or stolen property |
| Should you lose or have stolen any of your personal belongings, whilst here on the island, in the first instance you must report this to the local police. They are based in the village of Mesagros, telephone number 22970 71201. The police should write a report of the loss and hand you documentation to this effect. Your representative will then complete a Lost Property Report, which should accompany your insurance claim on your return to your country. |
| Loss of travellers' cheques or credit cards |
| You must report all lost cards and travellers' cheques directly to your bank within 24 hours of loss. Your bank or building society will then arrange replacements as per the agreement you have with them. Please note that your Embassy does not advance money. |
| Phoning |
| You can use the phone in your hotel/ apartment etc. Or you can buy a phone card at the kiosk. You will find public payphones everywhere on the island. |
| Post Office |
| The main Post office can be found
in Aegina town by the bus terminal. Look for the yelllow sign reading ELTA. Open: Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 14:00 Closes: Saturday and Sunday Stamps are sold at most places that sell postcards. Greek letterboxes are painted yellow, and there is one in Aghia Marina right outside the Picadilly Hotel. |
| Religion |
| The Greek Orthodox faith is predominant
everywhere in Greece, although some islands have a small proportion of
Roman Catholics. Orthodoxism is a splinter of the Roman church and has
no connection with the Pope. Services have a very relaxed athomosphere, although the congregation remains silent thoughout. Neither hymns nor prayers are sung by the congregation, but by cantors. Bells are the only accompaniment. Priests are allowed to marry, but only those up to a certain "rank". It is a common sight to see the black-robed priest, with their beards, bustling through the streets, all around the island. |
| Retsina wine |
| One of the great arts of Greece is wine making, which they have 5000 years of knowledge and tradition. Vineyards are to be found dotted all round the Greek countryside. Long ago, The Greeks discovered that when the wine was stored in pitch pine sealed goatskins, it developed a fresh sappy flavour. They then discoverd that by adding pine resin, in varying amounts, during fermentation the same result was achieved. The resulting wine became known as Retsina. |
| Sickness |
| In case of sickness you will
find chemists in Aegina town. Almost all medication can be bought across
the counter without prescription. In more serious cases you can visit
the Medical Centre in Aghia Marina. Under EU regulation it is possible for British visitors in Greece to receive free medical care. However you must be in possession of an E111 form from the DHSS. In any case, take with you your insurence document. Only in Extreme emergencies will the doctor make house calls. Telephone: 22970 32775 Fax: 22970 32030 Office hours: 09:00 - 14:00 and 17:00 - 21:00 |
| Shopping hours |
| In Aghia Marina the stores are
open all day, every day. From the beginning of May till the end of October.
If you wish to do some shopping in Aegina Town, the stores' opening hours are as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:30 until 13.30, closed in the afternoons. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 9:30 until 13.30, and 17:00 until 20:00 Sundays: normal shops closed, some touristic shops are open. |
| Sunburn |
| Too many people have their
holiday ruined by too much sun too soon. If you build up a tan slowly,
by only exposing yourserf to the sun for 15 - 30 minutes (depending
on your skin type) on the first day and gradually increasing the length
of time, always using a good suntan lotion, you will obtain a nice deep,
long lasting tan. |
| Water |
| The island has its own water supply. However, as in all of Greece, water is in limited supply. Use water sparingly. Water in most accommodation is heated by Solar Power, and therefore depends on the sun. Mains water is safe to drink, but Mineral Water tastes better. |