A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Athens...

The deal was to spend a day in Athens since I'd never been, and one day in Nafplio since Lianne's in love with Greece's first capital... Good compromise, I think!

Today, we spent the (whole) day in Athens. In all honesty, as much as Athens is a major place to visit with so many cool things to see and visit, I wasn't that psyched to go in the first place... I don't know why.
Damn, was it ever fun though...


We wanted to give our bank accounts a breather so we braved the metro.
We had to walk about 10 minutes from the hotel to the metro station, which is right next to the port, apparently...
The hotel lady had given us a map of Piraeus so we could easily find the metro station... I'm great with maps; no lie.

And so, we're walking towards our destination, and walking, and walking, and walking. It's 10AM and the heat is already insanely UP THERE.  I knew we were really close to the station, but I just couldn't see it.  I walk into a ferry agency and ask where the heck is the station exactly --- 4 blocks from here.  Ok.
We keep walking.  There comes a pedestrian overpass and we figured that one of the staircases would lead to the metro....
WRONG.
We got a good view of the port.... BUT NO DAMN METRO!

We keep walking a couple blocks and Lianne asks where the freaking station is," Metro??"
"Yellow building --- RIGHT THERE!"

Oh for skata's sake.  We passed right in front of it and even saw it as we were doing our mini-SIGHTSEEING ON THE FREAKING OVERPASS.

UGH.

We walk into the yellow building, buy a ticket and catch the metro.
Easy peezy... HA!

I heard so many not so great stories  about metros... I think I psyched myself up a little too much. Anyway, bottom line: we rode the metro, got off at Omonia Square and
STARTED OUR DAY IN ATHENS BABEYH!

A Little Piece of Home

For those of you who didn't get it.... FAIL!!!

The minute I walked into Starbucks: it was the first time since I left my beloved Canada that I felt the slightest homesick.  Tells you something doesn't it??

Starbucks, you've been a part of my life for a few years now -- I've gotten best friends by working there and not you've met me across the pond to say hello... <3

Needless to say that I will be going to this Oh-so-close-location a few more times in the next couple of days... YAY!


Starbucks has a mug collection that features different countries around the world and you can only get the various ones according to the country you visit.  I had bought the Calgary and Banff ones last summer... When I was in the Rockies (duh!) and I absolutely wanted to get the Greece edition ---- Did I get them?

You bet!!!

Only, I bought the mini versions sine I'm running out of suitcase space and I think it will be cool to have these mini mugs since this is the cup size that the Greeks use to drink their beloved espresso!

What a way to finish another great day --- from eezy-peezy Santorini to silly Starbucks.

BUENO!

Obnoxious Brits and a Honking Piece of Swordfish

Since the ferry arrived in Santorini two hours late, the poor shuttle man waiting for us at the port of Piraeus waited for us for a good hour before giving up and reporting back to our hotel with no Canadians... Oopsies. We ended up cabbing to the hotel once we arrived in Piraeus (a whopping 5 Euro ride)

The ferry ride was great, I thought. There were four British teenagers sitting up front of us, freaking out because they weren't going to make their flight to Corfu due to the ferry delay. They created a whole lot of ruckus (I don't blame them) but DAMN, did it ever annoying --- FAST. So freaking dramatic and obnoxious for nothing... I understand (honestly, I do!) that delays make for cranky and unhappy people... But, do you really have to swear, scream and call daddy back home to complain your heart out about wiring more money to your bank account in front of everybody on the ship????

AYE DIOS MIO!

Back at the hotel, hunger set in so Lianne and I went for a stroll down to the second biggest harbour  (a block from our hotel, CHYEAH!) and had a nice supper --- I had a honking piece of swordfish ---- MMMMMM!!! 

Yes, you are indeed seeing broccoli.  AND I ATE IT!  I don't know what they did to that broccoli, but DAMN ---- IT WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD. 
Never ever EVER have I LOVED broccoli.

It will probably be the first and only time, so for those of you at home reading --- don't get your hopes up!
Three days ago, when we were leaving the Savoy to catch the ferry, we had noticed a nice little establishment that we swore we'd go visit once we got back from Santorini...

Can anyone guess what it is????!!?!

I Heart Santorini

Unfortunaly, our stay in Santorini has come to an end.  Last night was a late night: Lianne talked to her loved ones back home and I was online talking to my peoples on various chats. 

We were set to leave at 10AM from the hotel, thinking we’d have enough time to get to the port for 11AM.  At the front desk, we asked if they knew of any shuttle because cabbing it would’ve been more expensive due to all the bricks we’ve been carrying around.  The owner (he’s awesome) looked at us and said, "you won’t make it for 11AM with a taxi!”

SAY WHAT?!

It doesn’t think very long, but I guess we hadn’t considered the fact that there are OTHER people who are leaving Santorini too….. OOPS.

SKATA.

The owner, bless his heart, offered to drive us himself to the port.  I totally recommend staying at his Villa.  It is wonderful --- although I think because we were right next to the small street, we had a bit more noise --- but whatever.

On the ride to the Port, we talked about his visit to Vancouver, how we loved the island, about his livelihood and how the island looked like before the tourism industry kicked off with a BANG. 

We thanked him for the millionth time, shook his hand and said our goodbyes. 

Although the ferry to Piraeus came 2 hours late… I personally didn’t care, because the view was incredible.  The port, the ferries, the pirate ships, the SWITCHBACKS filled with huge tour busses going up and down the caldera took my breath away.

Now on the ferry, I’ve recounted my adventures in Santorini in short form, but well enough, I think, to give you an idea of what my vacation has been like.

My fedora is still glued to my head, the volcanic rock ring is still on my finger, the whitecaps are crashing against the waves and islands are passing by.  

Next stop: Piraeus where will be our main living quarters,  a return visit to Nafplion and Athens to finish our vacation together and to the beginning of my last week in Greece.

HAIL IT, LIANNE!!!

After Mama’s House, Lianne and I walked 2 mins to the taxi depot and waited for the next available taxi --- they are dispatched here and are all over the freaking island… Obviously, because it was 10:30PM people were out and about and there was a shortage of taxis.  So once one would show it’s front lights, people would fight over who was next. 

At first, Lianne and I stood back and let them fight…. Greeks vs. Hindus.  Aye Carrumba!

When both parties were gone, we both got closer to the road… We clued in that the only way we were getting home was to stand at the side of the road and forget about standing in the actual depot. 

I told Lianne to hail the next cab, once we saw one….  AND THERE IT WAS.

“LIANNE! HAIL IT!”

Lianne flagged it down and once he got close enough, I shouted, “PERISSA?!” He nodded and I shoved myself into the backseat, hoping Lianne would have enough time getting in before a honking big woman would get to her first.

The second she shut the door, the woman was screaming her head off at the driver and from what I caught from the yelling, he was an asshole and she was a biotch. 

That was fun --- Lianne and I high-fived each other and ended up telling the driver where WE were staying…   

GO CANADA!

Cats, Dessert and a Fedora

Last, but not least, the ship brought us to the Oia, the village at the northern tip of Santorini.  THIS IS WHERE ALL THE FREAKING POSTCARD PICTURES ARE TAKEN.  By God, I was getting discouraged about not finding the houses on the side of the cliffs and the numerous blue domes churches.  But here they were! 

When we were docked, Lianne and I walked….CLIMBED up the switch-back stairs up the caldera to the village.  I feel bad because we could’ve gone for a donkey ride, but I just wanted to save my money for other things….  Needless to say we stop at every turn ‘to take-in the scenery’ (we did…but it was really just to catch our breath!)

Once we got to the top, the narrow winding maze-like streets welcomed us with a variety of shops…  many, many, MANY were jewellery shops (AYE DIOS MIO!) and many more sold silk scarves and the obvious little souvenirs.  Lianne loves scarves so we ended up going back TWICE for a few items… I even found something: a wallet made up of silk patches; fancy schmancy! At one point though, Lianne blurted out, “I hate being a girl sometimes!”  Oh, I feel you homie G! Scarves, dresses, RINGS…  

Oh Mon Dieu!

I even bought a fedora…  It was supposed to be for someone else, but I fell in love with it, so I think El Fedora Is El Mine

It was still pretty hot around  6:30PM and we had 2 hours to kill until the sunset.  Did I mention that that was the reason why the ship dropped us off last in Oia?!  Mmhmm!  It is the prime spot to see the sunset --- the sun sets in the sea, as opposed to behind the usual mountain or house or octopus… I don’t know, you get the idea!

We went for DESSERT! At a pastry café and enjoyed our delicacies while taking in the view which including at one point…get ready for it! A cat by the iconic churches.  Mmmhm!  Wait ‘til I show you that picture! It is out of this world!

After replenishing ourselves with too much sugar, we headed towards the castle, at the very tip of the village to catch the sunset. 

Out of this World!

We made our way through the maze of Oia one last time and got on the bus that would take us back to Fira.  To celebrate the success and the end of our vacation, Lianne and I went back to Mama’s House for Greek Salad, Pastitsio and Red and White wine. 

BUENO!

I Think I Found Fred's Domain!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a great swimmer, but detest swimming at any spot when I cannot see what is at the bottom.  You know what though, when will be the next time that I swim in the Mediterranean?  Let alone the Hot Springs in SANTO freaking RINI! 

So yes, I jumped ship… Lol, I didn’t walk the plank… and Thee MU! The water was AMAZING.  The minute I got in, Lianne and I justified the cold-ish temperature with the fact that we’re freaking Canadians --- we can do anything… Especially when it involves COLD! 

The water was such a nice light aqua colour and if you looked down, you could see as far as your own feet…. So I was good…ISH!

We reached the hot springs in no time and you knew for sure when you had reached them!  The water turned all mucky clay-ish brown-red and the water was nice and Whirlpool-ly.  I couldn’t  stand touching the goo-ey bottom, but I found a rock to rest my feet on and Lianne and I enjoyed the moment.  Some people were giving each other mud baths at the shore, but the water was much too nice to go anywhere else.

At one point, Lianne and I were kidding around about finding Fred’s domain, “Oh Fred!!!!  We’re here! Come and get us!!! “ “Hey Olga you old geezer! Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah-nah!”

We swam back to the ship and continued our adventure at sea.

 I’m so so so so so happy I just went for it and jump into the water --- I said this already, but it was absolutely GORGEOUS and it was such a wonderful way to cool off after hiking up Mt. Non-Obvious!

We were all getting pretty hungry and the ship’s next stop was to the neighbouring island of Thirassia.  It is the most traditional island still around with a population of only (approximately) 200 locals.  There were a bunch a taverns by the shore and we had a few hours to kill, so Lianne and I went to lunch where I had swordfish souvlaki ---- holy cow!  Delicious!

This stop was really to re-energize and take it easy… And thank goodness for that because our next and last stop was full of wonderful (?) little surprises.