Picture this...bumming thru Greek islands and you're...

Done the room rental with someone who met the ferry ... I have a small waterproof waist pack that I take with me when I travel alone and want to spend time at the beach. I wear it when I go in the water.

I generally stay at small family-run places, 8 - 12 rooms, and do not fear theft. In 10 trips to Greece staying in an average of 8 accommodations per trip, I've never had a room theft. As a friend of mine, married to a Greek, says: petty theft is not part of the Greek culture (maybe Major theft, like stealing a shipping line! but not the petty stuff). In fact, u find small "room safes" mainly at tourist resorts because of the risk of losing something to less-than-honest tourist types. That being said, I have a concealed pocket in the bottom of my rolling-bag. That's where my "valuables" go, AND I use a small padlock on my bag. I keep the padlock key and my room key and a small amount of money inside a v. small nylon ziptop change purse. This is safety-pinned inside the pocket of the shorts I wear to the beach. On a crowded beach, when I'm not with someone, I can pin it inside my swimsuit for the times I'm going in to the water. I figured this out on my first solo trip to Greece, and have never had any "incident." These measures may not be necessary at all, but they provide peace of mind. If staying in a Hostel, however, much more vigilance needed! Take all valuables with you at all times, even to the shower. Not for fear of Greeks! No.. rather, because of dishonest younger travelers.

Thanks guys! Great ideas. :)

Jill, As I often travel solo, that's one reason I don't get a lot of beach time. I suppose my beach sandals and towel could still be stolen, but that wouldn't be as much of a problem as the valuables. I usually pack along a Waterproof Waist Pack, so that would handle the contents of my Money Belt, but not larger items. I prefer to stay at more "conventional" Hotels rather than the type of places you described, so my Camera gear is usually safe locked in the room. Happy travels!

I never even knew that waterproof packs were available--thanks so much!