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ATHENS

For forever now I have always wanted to go to Greece when I turned 50....well 2014 was the big 5-0 year and off to Greece we went

We did a week land based trip and a week of flotilla sailing with Greek Sails in the Argolic area. A friend and colleague of 20 years and her husband , an expert long time sailor, were our companions for the two week adventure. They have sailed in Turkey and Croatia in recent years but this was Ward and my first trip sailing in the med.

We made the big journey across the pond as they say and landed in Athens via Toronto from our Moncton starting point....wow what a long sleepless flight despite the prescription sleeping pills I had....I can not get comfortable on a plane to save my soul.

Our adventure is about to begin with touch down at Athens airport at 09:30'Monday morning....so the clock says ...with the 6 hr time change feels like 03:30 for my body but very excited to be finally here.

The pre arranged taxi guy holding a sign with my name on It was a very welcomed site after we retrieved our one checked bag from the carousel....man was I surprised to see it since we only had an hour between flights in Toronto, the most unorganized airport ever ....off we go to check into the Royal Olympic hotel in the centre of town. Want to take a little side trip to the top of the city for the view ? sure so up up and away and we are overlooking the ancient ruins of Acropolis high atop the entire city...very great way to start. the driver was awesome and was arranged through George's taxi service. kept to his agreed upon price even with the side trip but tipped well for the great service. Sadly the Greek economy is very bad and it felt good to start off this way.



Get our stuff settled then out we go to explore ....the Plaka neighbourhood is very pretty with manny shops and restaurants . Getting weary and thirsty so stopped for a beer....Mythos will be the brand for now. Can we walk around with this we law abiding Canadians ask, " of course" in a thick Greek accent was the reply. we heard that a lot this trip....so off we go with our to go traveller to act like tacky tourists in Greece.




it is hot hot hot even if it is September...really should have gone to visit the acropolis in all it's grandeur but settled for a trolly ride around it instead. Have to leave something for next time right?

Back to the room to shower off the city and get ready for dinner. Oh my so many options and so much musical talent on every corner...Lambrose charmed me into having dinner at his spot so in we went. had sagnaki for the first time...Thank you Eurosailor for the suggestion. Nothing like fried salty cheese to make your heart cough, not to mention the litre of olive oil I have consumed during this trip. We have packed some sagnaki cheese in our suitcase to try this at home...yummmy
Greek food is amazing and the best red wine ever served in cute little jugs.

Early to bed as we have a date with a fast ferry to Mykinos in the morning...what a first day <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Outstanding beginning!! Looking forward to the rest of the story!

Cannot wait for the next installment. So many good memories are coming back from your report. But I thought I threw out the sagnaki recommendation <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Yes so sorry Tom you are right about the saganaki
...and we also made it to navplion another of your suggestions
More later

Luving it Kim....keep it coming

Great start, Kim! Looking forward to the rest.

Greece is fantastic! Great start Kim.
Hope you get to Santorini also!
Thanks.
irina

Happy belated birthday. Great photos and am enjoying your report. Athens and a Greek Island or two is so on my bucket list!