Athens

17th March

Our host Festus accompanied us in the Milan rain to the metro station and rode with us to Centrale to make sure we got on the right bus for the airport.

It took an hour to get to the airport where we waited in a long line for security. We had checked in online and it felt weird not going to the counter for our boarding pass.

Once through we waited to board our flight and everything went smoothly.  Ryanair had a weird system where you put your larger carry-on bag on a trolley outside by the plane and then pick it up from the baggage carousel later. We landed in Athens on time, waited for our luggage and then just walked out!

Confused we walked back in to check if we needed to go through immigration. Apparently not.

Next we followed the signs for the metro and purchased a ticket to get to our accommodation. Our host was waiting for us with her friend, at the metro station, near her house. We felt so lucky to be driven to our accommodation!

After we had settled in it was decided that we'd all go to the all-you-can-eat seafood place so we could try many dishes.

Our new friend's ordered many dishes and the table was full of options. My favourite was the salted fish in olive oil. Jay's favourite dish was the calamari. We also tried a liquor called ouzo which was an aniseed flavour.

After two hours of eating and laughing we went to the accommodation and went to sleep.

18th March

We started our day with the most famous place in Athens. The Acropolis! It was near the metro station though the route there was not well signposted.

After a 15-20 walk uphill we arrived and found the ticket booth. We were happy to find out that the ticket was half price because it was the Winter season. We spent the next two hours exploring all the ancient ruins. The views from the top were spectacular too.

We then attempted to follow our paper map and eventually figured out where we were. We headed for Ancient Angora where we enjoyed seeing some more ancient temples, stautes and a restored building that housed a small museum. Jay was fascinated by the ancient coins.

After that we checked out the Athens Flea Market, bought and ate strawberries and wandered the streets of Athens that our host, Angeliki had recommended.

As I was hungry we stopped to buy a local food souvlaki. It's very similar to Turkish kebabs. The meat is wrapped up in a warmed pita bread and tomatoes, salad, chips and tzataaki is added. Delicious. Jay tried it but he was still full from breakfast.

We wandered around a few more recommended streets coming across a peaceful protest for veganism.

After that I wanted to see the Olympieion. We found it but unfortunately it closed at 3pm (Winter hours) but you could still see the main structures from outside.

Then we went to the gardens where there was a conference centre. I needed a bathroom so we went in. There were many stands and Jay found one handing out free yoghurt drinks. It was pretty yummy!

It had been a busy day walking and we were tired so we headed to the metro station. At the square we decided to have a little explore of the other side. We went into a tourist shop where we tried the worst baklava ever! We also tried the local Greek dessert halwa which was okay. I personally only liked the loukami but that's no surprise as I love turkish delight.

Then we were on the metro for home.  We went to the local souvlaki place for dinner. As it was so yummy I didn't mind having it twice in a day.

19th March

Today we took the metro to the port to catch the ferry to the islands. We chose to go to Hydra and Poros in one day as the ticket was very expensive and we didn't want to pay the full fare twice to do it over two days.

First we went to Hydra, the boat stopping at Poros on the way. Unfortunately we were not allowed to stay on the deck when the boat was  in open water. However when it slowed down near Poros we could go out. I thought some fresh air would be good... But everyone else who made for the door went to smoke!

I returned inside to escape the smoke. Within 25 minutes we'd reached Hydra. It was beautiful.

We wandered around the port. Jay saw a sign for the lighthouse but we later found a map that seemed to indicate it was 12km/4 hours walk one way. So we wandered around some more and sat enjoying the views. It was very tranquil. Every now and then a gust of wind would blow and at one point when we were sat up high Jay was worried we might blow off the cliff so we moved to safer ground!

After 3 hours it was time to catch the boat to Poros. It was also quiet and beautiful. We shared a souvlaki for afternoon tea and walked along the waterfront. The water was quite high and it was warm day but the wind made it a little chilly.

We had 2 hours on Poros before the boat was due. The boat comes on time and doesn't wait around so we went 10 minutes early. At 5pm the boat hadn't showed up which was strange after it's punctuality so far.

A few minutes later a local told us that the boat wasn't coming. At first I thought he was kidding due to the expression on his face. In retrospect maybe he was just amused. He said not to worry we could take the water taxi to the other side where the bus was. We could see the bus from where we were. We asked why it was cancelled and he said because it was too windy.

So hesitantly we boarded the water taxi to find other people stranded by the boat also on board. After 10 minutes we made our way across the water and lined up for a bus ticket. The bus would leave at 5.30 and would take 3 hours. The local restaurant was kind enough to let several of us to use their toilet and they even let Jay connect to their WiFi so we could let our host know that we would be much later. (Our sim card didn't work in Greece).

We boarded the bus and I was worried because their were allocated seats and ours were at the very back. Not ideal as I sometimes get sick.

The roads were windy as I feared but the bus driver was skilled and didn't throw the bus around so I was fine. Some of the views were stunning.

After an hour the bus stopped and we all waited for another bus to arrive. Most the people on the bus got out and we did to for some fresh air. Once again I went inside... more because of the smoking than the light rain.

Ten minutes later another bus arrived. We all hopped on. Jay made friends with the guy next to him. His new friend explained where in Athens we were headed and helped us by texting our host where we were and when we'd arrive. He also told us that the ferry company rang him to say that the boat was cancelled. We had given our Italian number but no one bothered to call us. It explained why we were the only ones waiting for the boat that wasn't coming.

At 9pm we arrived at the Athens bus station where Angeliki and Necteria picked us up and drove us home. There was a lot of lightening and then it poured. We were so glad for the lift. If we'd taken the metro back it would've been a 20 minute walk in the rain.

Jay cooked an Indian curry and Angelina cooked Greek food. So we had very spicy (oops) capsicum curry, homemade bread, Greek pasta and Greek pastries! There was lots of chatting and laughing and at about 11pm we called it a night.

20th March

Today was the day of the local fruit and vegetable market that Angeliki shops at. We accompanied her keen to see day to day Greek life.

The next item on the agenda today was to get a refund on the ferry ride. This meant taking the metro back to the port and being mucked around a bit. With our refund in hand we started our day.

Nectaria had recommended walking along the waterfront. Once again we consulted the paper map occasionally using Google offline maps to help us pinpoint where we were.

On the way we saw a beautiful church - Agia Triada Church. We went in and then headed off again.

On our way to the water we found ourselves in an enormous market that ran for blocks. First was the fruit and vegetable, followed by clothes, shoes and many other items. It was like a Greek fruit and vege shop combined with KMart!

Not long after, we reached the waterfront where we spent many hours walking. The views were beautiful and it was a sunny day.

After a long walk we sat down in the park and Jay watched a movie on the iPad while I read my Kindle. Then we went home and had dinner.

After dinner we went to Angeliki's Indian dance class where they were learning a new routine for a competition. Jay helped the teacher with the translation of the words as the literal translation didn't make sense.

21st March

We started the day by spending some time in the area we'd been staying in.

Then we went to explore the Kiffisia area. It had a beautiful garden, fancy shops and tree lined streets. However we were looking for the mall and cinema because I was feeling a bit sick. After trying the local Greek bagel we headed back to the metro as a helpful shop keeper had explained to us that the way to the mall.

We walked around the mall checking what food it had to offer. Jay bought a cheesey pastry (well actually two different cheesey pastries) and I bought a potato one.

The cinema didn't open till 2.15 so we used the mall's free WiFi to research Lisbon. At 2.15 we found that there weren't any movies we wanted to see as the only ones we liked weren't screening till after 7pm.

So we continued with our research discussing which attractions would be best.

A few hours later we left the mall and headed back to the metro. We went to the end of the line and explored that area. Unfortunately there wasn't much to see there. However I went to the bakery to get a food I'd been wanting to try and the lady said I could have it for free! They are sold by the kilo but I just wanted one of them.

After thoroughly inspecting the supermarket and hardware shop we went to McDonald's to use the WiFi and kill time while we waited for Angeliki.

On the way to our meeting point some police officers were yelling in Greek. Jay realised that they were talking to us so we stopped. They asked to see what was in Jay's bag. They looked in it with their torch and asked where he was from. I opened my backpack for them but they only seemed interested in Jay.

After that weird encounter we waited for Angelika. She eventually arrived and we headed off to an all you can eat restaurant which served meat.

Once again Angelina ordered a lot of food. We ate way too much and it was delicious. After our meal we went home to sleep as we had an early flight the night morning.