Date: April 14 - April 15
On the 14th we took a ferry back to Athens. Thankfully, this one was much faster and we arrived in Athens on time. We were all pretty tired from the day and didn't really do that much in Athens on the evening on the 14th.
The following morning we had to figure out how to get to Patra, the port town where our ferry to Italy was leaving at around 6 pm. We found the people at the Athens Backpackers Hostel were very helpful and told us exactly where we needed to go. It was a little confusing as it involved using the metro, then walking to find a bus stop that was at a random spot on a street and taking that bus to another bus station. To top it all off, it was just starting to mist a little bit when we left our hostel, luggage in tow.
We got on the metro and got off at the right stop, but had to ask a few times about where the bus we were looking for would stop. Eventually, we figured it out and there happened to be a bus waiting there when we found it. We crammed into the overflowing bus, hoping we were headed in the right direction and that we would know the stop when we found it.
It just so happened that bus station we were looking for was the very last stop, as we had suspected. We got our tickets and searched for the next bus, hoping it would deliver us in Patra (on time). The bus ride was actually quite nice, and brought us to the bus station with about an hour to spare.
Of course, we were starving and got some food before heading for our ferry. Oh, and this time we did have the right confirmation numbers for our ferry so that worked out quite well. We quickly ate our last meal of souvlaki and then headed for our ferry.
15 hours later, at 8 am the following day we would be arriving in Bari, Italy.
Showing posts with label Athens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Athens. Show all posts
May 12, 2009
May 5, 2009
Athens: Day 2 & 3
Dates: April 9 - 10
After hiking up the hill, we went back to our hostel and eventually went over to an area (as mentioned by our tour guide) where college kids hang out to try a Greek drink. They called it “warm yellow stuff”… yes I know, they’re quite creative. But it basically is wine that is distilled twice, making it quite strong so it is then mixed with honey and some spices and heated up. You get a small pitcher for about 5 Euros to split amongst 4 or 5 people. Then you pour it into shot glasses to sip, and I must admit it was very tasty. It was a fun environment and I wish we were able to spend a little bit more time experiencing the life of real Greek students.
The following morning, we woke up early to head up to the Acropolis. It was pretty packed up there, but the weather was great and the location, unbeatable. It was really cool imagining what it would have look like before things got destroyed. Apparently, this is one of the last times you’ll be able to see the Acropolis before they put up framing around the base of the Acropolis to repair it. According to our tour guide, it would probably be 30 years or so before the construction would be finished. I guess the Greeks don’t really like to work that fast?
The Parthenon
On top of the Acropolis (Parthenon left & Temple of Athena right)
Temple of Haphaestus
After that we had to head towards Piraeus, which is the large port right next to Athens. From here, we were heading towards the Greek island of Ios. Let’s just say the Greek metro system is not something that would be “up to snuff” in the United States. The rickety subway took us to the port, where we ran into a bit of an issue...
After hiking up the hill, we went back to our hostel and eventually went over to an area (as mentioned by our tour guide) where college kids hang out to try a Greek drink. They called it “warm yellow stuff”… yes I know, they’re quite creative. But it basically is wine that is distilled twice, making it quite strong so it is then mixed with honey and some spices and heated up. You get a small pitcher for about 5 Euros to split amongst 4 or 5 people. Then you pour it into shot glasses to sip, and I must admit it was very tasty. It was a fun environment and I wish we were able to spend a little bit more time experiencing the life of real Greek students.
The following morning, we woke up early to head up to the Acropolis. It was pretty packed up there, but the weather was great and the location, unbeatable. It was really cool imagining what it would have look like before things got destroyed. Apparently, this is one of the last times you’ll be able to see the Acropolis before they put up framing around the base of the Acropolis to repair it. According to our tour guide, it would probably be 30 years or so before the construction would be finished. I guess the Greeks don’t really like to work that fast?
The Parthenon
On top of the Acropolis (Parthenon left & Temple of Athena right)
Temple of Haphaestus
After that we had to head towards Piraeus, which is the large port right next to Athens. From here, we were heading towards the Greek island of Ios. Let’s just say the Greek metro system is not something that would be “up to snuff” in the United States. The rickety subway took us to the port, where we ran into a bit of an issue...
May 3, 2009
Athens: Day 1 & 2
Dates: April 8 – April 9
On Wednesday morning, I got up and went to the airport. I was headed to Athens, while my mom and Earl were headed back home. I had no idea how much traveling was ahead of me. It definitely was such an amazing trip, yet quite tiring.
Anyways, me, Julie, Amy, Will, Toni and Kristin arrived in Athens in the afternoon and after an inexplicably long bus ride and a short walk (suitcases in tow) we found our hostel. Our hostel was in view of the Acropolis and it only took a 5 minute walk to get there, which was absolutely great. The first night we went to hang out on the rocks (called Areopagus) near the Acropolis.
The following morning we took a tour through our hostel, which took us all around the city. We went:
back by the rocks we hung out on the previous night
Greek parliament & tomb of the Unknown Soldier
through a park
And the Olympic Stadium
After our tour we hiked up Lycabettus Hill, which was quite the hike and unfortunately my camera died, but I still got a photo from friends.
On Wednesday morning, I got up and went to the airport. I was headed to Athens, while my mom and Earl were headed back home. I had no idea how much traveling was ahead of me. It definitely was such an amazing trip, yet quite tiring.
Anyways, me, Julie, Amy, Will, Toni and Kristin arrived in Athens in the afternoon and after an inexplicably long bus ride and a short walk (suitcases in tow) we found our hostel. Our hostel was in view of the Acropolis and it only took a 5 minute walk to get there, which was absolutely great. The first night we went to hang out on the rocks (called Areopagus) near the Acropolis.
The following morning we took a tour through our hostel, which took us all around the city. We went:
back by the rocks we hung out on the previous night
Greek parliament & tomb of the Unknown Soldier
through a park
And the Olympic Stadium
After our tour we hiked up Lycabettus Hill, which was quite the hike and unfortunately my camera died, but I still got a photo from friends.
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