May 2 - Arriving in Athens

We made it! After what seemed to be an endless journey, we are finally here - our first trip to Greece.

The flights were basically a pain - seated near the throne on both legs - but Jane met a very helpful guy on the second half. 'John' pointed out all of the relevant sights from his window seat.

Poor guy just finished his masters in England and was coming home to fulfill his two year military obligation.

The rumours of some Greek taxi drivers are not exaggerated - the taxi driver that we had from the airport drove like a madman. To be perfectly honest, he would have scared Jacques (Villeneuve, that is) had he picked him up, but after all those hours of travel we were fine with his driving.

We checked in at the lovely Hotel Plaka and were soon strolling about Athens. The view from our room is one we will not soon forget. The Acropolis seems to be within arms reach!

The view from our room

After an impromptu tour of the Plaka district, we decide that Athens isn't nearly as bad as we had heard. We found a square with plenty of happy people, and decided to join them. We must have become somewhat delusional at that point, because an old man with a polaroid took our picture and charged us $7.50 for it (1,500 drachma).

After a few Heinekens, and a gift of owl's eyes from a jewellry store proprietor (blue charms for luck) for Jane, we're back to the hotel. Going to see the Acropolis and the museum in the morning.

Amphoras near the base of the Acropolis

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Related articles of Interest

• Greece opens its Acropolis Museum (cbc.ca)

May 3 - Lost in the Plaka

So much for the Acropolis and the Museum.

We went for a stroll hoping to find the Adams Hotel. I say hoping with good reason - the streets here are like a maze, and the Plaka is fascinating.

After hours (and miles) of walking, it turns out that it's just around the corner!

Oh well, we met a waiter from La Castille (small world, a restaurant just down the street from us at home) and ended up on his patio drinking beer and ouzo, eating menzedes - ALL afternoon.

We wrote many a postcard, had many a laugh, and decided there was no place we'd rather be.

After a lengthy nap (christ, it's after 11:00!) we go out for dinner.

More owls eyes for Jane and souvlaki in another square. Virtually everyone here is incredibly nice.


Back at the hotel, we look at the illuminated Acropolis from our open window and sleep to the sounds of Greek singing and dancing down below.


Tomorrow we're up bright and early - our four day tour begins. For now, I shall say Kalispera!

A great spot for debating philosophy

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May 8 - Athens Acropolis

Didn't sleep very well last night (who left the balcony door open?) and awoke to the sound of church bells ringing ... 10 ft. away! ... KALIMERA!

After many coffees we were off to the travel agent to book ferrys from Athens to Naxos, Naxos to Santorini, and a flight from Santorini back to Athens :(

The Parthenon, Acropolis of Athens

That taken care of, we went to the Acropolis and incredibly, found it somewhat boring. That's not to suggest it's not indeed spectacular, we've just seen so many amazing places the last four days, and without the crowds to boot!

We had a chance meeting with Dick, Beth, Dave and Cathy (from our tour group) while there. Dick had returned from the tour to discover that his horse had gone off at 70-1 in it's maiden race. Soulmate came seventh but was not running a comfortable distance.

I quickly asked Dick to let us know when he found the right distance - as Jane and I would like an e:mail pronto for our chance to get rich.

After a couple of pictures we were off, only to soon find ourselves back at 'our' taverna - chatting with other Canadian travellers.

Of course, Terrys was happy to see us again (who wouldn't be?).

The Caryatics on the Erechtheon

We wrote postcards and had plenty of beer and sunshine (again).

View from the Acropolis

Great place, this - we'll be back for dinner! I don't think that I wrote this much in high school, but I've been swept up by the travel bug now.

It's almost time to go back to our hotel (Adams) to freshen up for dinner. Yassas!

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I'm back! After a couple more beers (Terrys has been good enough to keep the mugs on ice), we headed back to the hotel for a siesta.

The phone woke us up a couple of hours later and it turned out to be George and Sonia calling from the bar downstairs.

We had planned to meet them for dinner tomorrow, so this was a pleasant surprise!

We ended up at our usual taverna, where George did an admirable job ordering dinner. Get this - I ate octopus, among other Greek delicacies.

While sitting at the open window, Jane spotted Marie, who joined us. Marie had also found our hotel and left us a note. After dinner (which was veeeery good) Terrys brought over ouzo, courtesy of the owner. Again, I was forced to drink Sonias for her.

Then it was off to Brettos where we sampled 17 year old brandy. We purchased a big bottle of seven star Metaxa, and a smaller bottle of 35 year old Brettos brandy. Quite tipsy now, we say Kalispera and head back to the hotel.

We've all agreed to meet again in two years and rent a house in Crete.

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May 9 - National Archaeology Museum

It's Mothers Day. Jane rang home but missed her mum. We were both rather hung over - what a surprise!

Rob at the National Archaeological Museum

We headed to the National Archaeological Museum, and as Marie had mentioned last night it was somewhat of a disappointment after the experiences we'd had on the tour. Don't get me wrong - there were some amazing things to see but it didn't live up somehow to expectations. Not too spoiled now are we?

Athena and bronze boy on a horse

Unable to get a cab, we decided to walk back to the Plaka ... lots of exercise this trip!

I love the geometric designs on these pots (says Jane)

Once we got our bearings (the Acropolis is good for that) it was an easy thirty minute walk.


After a lazy afternoon (no booze - still hurting) we got ready to go for dinner with George and Sonia. While waiting in the square outside the Adams Hotel, Tony and Colleen arrived - we were thrilled to see them - and went back in for a quick drink (so much for no booze), and George and Sonia arrived shortly after.

They took us to their restaurant this time and once again George took care of ordering for the group in Greek. We were really quite fortunate to have him around as he was able to order meat and fish platters not available on the menu.

The Acropolis was just yards away and the waiter took pictures of all of us with each of our cameras.

It must have been obvious that we were enjoying ourselves (Tony was there, after all!), because a lady at another table sent us a bottle of wine. With the day's hangovers long forgotten, we enjoyed another splendid meal. For dessert, the owner brought us complimentary fruit and yoghurt with honey. That helped to wash down the squid - YES, I ate squid!

A great night at Taverna Spiliatis

It was the last night in Athens for all of us - George and Sonia were finally flying home, Tony and Colleen were off to Skopelos, and we were off to Naxos. A bit sad, but great to have been able to get together again.

Before parting, lots of hugs and kisses and invitations, to visit Australia and New Zealand. We know that they truly mean it, and that e:mails will be a great way of keeping in touch.

Everyone has an early night - we have arranged for George Kokkotas to pick us up at 6:45 a.m. to take us to Piraeus. Although he doesn't come cheap for a simple transfer, he comes highly recommended and it will save us the headaches of an unknown port.

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May 10 - Piraeus to Naxos

Morning arrives quickly in Athens.

We both slept well, which means that we only woke up four or five times during the night. Every night at 4:00 a.m. is when the Plaka has their garbage disposal done. Crash, bang, crash. I guess it's the only good time, but they're obviously non-union!

My stomach rumbled all night – must have been a great battle between Octopus and Squid. Oh well, victory was mine (they're still with me).

George Kokkotas arrived early, and we knew right away that we had made a wise choice. Good English, very friendly, and in no hurry. He dropped us at the boat, and made sure our luggage was properly stored, and was on his way. The extra cost for George, over a normal taxi, was well worth it to us. Pireaus is a big, bustling port and anyone else would have left us to our wits.

From the ferry in the port of Piraeus

Ten minutes later, we spot Tony & Colleen boarding the ferry beside ours. These "ferries" are actually cruising ships about two or three football fields in length. A loud whistle from me gets Tony's attention, and we take pictures of each other waving from our respective ferries. Fare well in the islands, friends.


On a humorous note, we laugh at Mr. Last second, who can touch our boat us it pulls away, while his friends are gesticulating madly. It's a long trip, so it's time to settle in.

Stopping in Ios

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We finally made it! We're no longer on the boat. We are now in Naxos, at our new home, the lovely Hotel Grotta.

The Hotel Grotta with our lovely view of the Portara

About 15 minutes after we arrive, Marie strolls up to greet us. She also has a room here, so we are together again. The three of us spend the evening on our balcony drinking beer.

The sunset is just so-so, but is spectacular just the same. Hopefully there will be no clouds tomorrow.

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May 22 - Athens Farewell

Slept like crap, yet I was up at 4:50 a.m. no problem. Our taxi arrived early, so the driver joined us for coffee and breakfast, which the hotel had put on early for us.

We chatted with the taxi driver all the way to the airport. I wish we had met this guy when we arrived in Athens. He was wonderful, so we gave him triple the actual fare. And with that last magical experience, we began our long journey home and the planning of our return.

He said: The End

She said: Or is it just the Beginning?

See what this trip inspired at MagicalJourneys.com

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