Balasca Hotel Athens

Just like the time of the Greek’s rein had to come to an end, so must our time here. I have really enjoyed our time here and wish that we could stay a bit longer. But c’est la vie! Onto new things.

But before we went, we had to pay homage to some of the most amazing sites in Athens: those found in the Acropolis. So much to see! And unfortunately for us, not enough time. With a ferry to catch, we had to be on our ...

... to a restaurant where waiters bring course after course of delicious food. There is garlicy yogurt with dill for spreading on bread, a cheesy potato casserole, veal and lamb, with ice cream for dessert. We walk off the meal by climbing to a hill overlooking the city before returning the hotel for the evening. Our guide, Dimitrios, is young and full of fun and energy, and the group is bonding beautifully. Looks like a great trip in the making!

... us a key for the bathroom. the security man was so nice and he let us in his air conditioned office while each of us took turns going to the bathroom. it was so sweet and i was so happy to be with air condition. after that we walked around toward the parliament building where we say the cool Greek security guys guarding the place. the tomb in front of the building is for all the unknown soldiers from the Greek wars. it was neat to see how the two guards moved around ...

... station" and showed him the name of the station written on something. His response -- I love this -- "Flughafen!" That being the German word (god only knows why he decided to use German...) for airport. "No, bus station. ::said the name of the station::" He just stared. Explained the situation in German expecting he might understand. His response: "Busflughafen."

(c) Driver three: Said "bus station" and showed him the name. He nodded. The trip took no ...

... morning we took the Happy Train through the ancient Greek and Roman agoras (marketplaces) and the ancient Plaka district up to the Acropolis and walked around amidst the gale force winds. The Parthenon is undergoing maintenance so was covered in scaffolding, much to my disappointment. Still, you can get a sense of the grandeur of the place, especially when imagining yourself as an ancient pleb standing in front of those impressive ...

... embaixo pisando ali em cima na Atenas gloriosa, milenar. A Atenas dos prédios, avenidas pavimentadas e veículos automotores na ...

... in 1989. My Mastercard is dead, apparently. The signature has rubbed off along with the three-digit code. I get to the airport at 11, an hour before the flight. But after the flight is delayed twice "due to winds" I already know the world has other plans for me today. Another Aegean flight to Athens takes off on time, in fact, but our poor flight 355 gang must wait another 45 minutes for ...

... now is to save them from the modern menaces of acid rain and pollution. The restoration & hence scaffolding appears to have been going on for ages (read years). Very annoying! Nightlife/strolling The de jour form of entertainment at night - for locals & tourists alike. Good to walk off the calories from all the baklava I guess! Best route - strolling around all the sites which are beautifully lit up & trying to decide ...

... It was a long and hot hike, but the scenery was worth it. Oia was another idyllic village with a beautiful marble boulevard, but we were a little tired to enjoy it. We had searched for a gyros stand our first night in Athens, but finally came across one at the Oia bus stop. Two gyros cost €3.50 and they had French fries inside the sandwich which was okay, but kind of strange. The gyros in Fira town were delicious and closer to what we get in ...

... out Hadrian's Library and some Roman Forum ruins, which were good, until the rain made me retreat to the indoors of free museums and souvenir shops. After my feet were soaked and I was getting cold, I headed back to the hotel, where Grant (our new professor) played an IMAX film on Greece. After that, we watched "Sketches of Frank Gehry" by Sidney Pollack. I am not the biggest Gehry fan (although it was the Disney ...