Castella Hotel Piraeus

... a red one and the club's house wine at that. Wow, we had our second toast of the day while we sat in the yacht club! If dinner was being served at the time we were there, we would have abandoned our plan to eat at the harbor. After our toast we wandered through the club exploring it top to bottom. Since dinner at the club wasn't available, we set out for the water's edge to choose a restaurant. We walked the length ...

... and were usually served as a huge portion in a large bowl. We also saw these served in other parts of Greece as well as parts of Italy.<br><br>Throughout the islands it was popular to serve stuffed zucchini flowers. They were the actual flowers from the zucchini plant and the blooms were stuffed with herbs, rice, and sometimes meat. They were different in each place and quite good. <br><br>Fava beans were another popular dish in the islands and they were usually pureed into a smooth ...

Once we checked into our rooms, I toured the ferry boat with our program representative, Beautiful Basil. As we walked, she explained about Greek names. A couple's first baby would be named after the groom's father or mother. The second baby would be named after the bride's father or mother. If you don't follow this tradition, the grandparent's feelings might be hurt. This explains the scene in the movie My Big Fat ...

... European." But looking around, and seeing the Greek waiters effortlessly switch between English and Greek, with a few fragments of French and Italian for good seasoning I was struck by just how much we are not. When talking with Pavlou yesterday I was double teamed and bullied into why didn't I speak Italian, Spanish, or German. To be honest, I speak more Spanish I've picked up from American television than I speak German or Italian. I replied that there ...

... look like in the time of Alexander? Where these building here or are they Roman? What might Alexander have seen or noticed when he came to Athens after the Battle of Chaironea? So, when in doubt about whether to attempt to fit in a visit to one more location or not, we have to consider it from the perspective of her book and our time that's far shorter than we'd like! Well, Tuesday day would have been more dream-like had it been a little less hot ...

... onto the Zappion park, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch for a closer view of the monuments. Before we knew, it was time to go back to the bus. We had arranged to go out in the evening with a group of friends to a geniune Greek restaurant for a Greek Mezi. 14 off us had a fabulous meal with lots of wine some ouzo lots of meats and fish made a nice change from on board meals. Back to the ship for the Midnight sail away. Next stop Naples

... very impressive in the summer. There were tons of orange trees here. They line the streets of Athens just like we have Spruce and Poplar. We were told not to eat them as they taste more like lemons than oranges... The answer to the disgusting orange juice from the first hostel! Next we went to the parliament building and watched the changing of the guard. Check out the shoes in the picture. It's mandatory for every Greek male to serve one year in the army, and the best looking get ...

... chocolate sauce, cream, biscuit crumps. did a little looking around the windy street shops but did not buy anothing if anyone is going to greece must check out this island plenty to do - did not have a chance to go the hot spings of the volcanoes - needed more time - next time - oh and stay in villa romantic - a little family run place but couldnt do more for you. it is hightly recommended and hire a scooter too.

... aloimme lahestya Ateenaa ja piti ylittaa salmi Joonianmerella, menimme lautalla koko bussi ja voitteko uskoa miten ihmeellisen sininen meri oli, ja miten kauniisti aurinko paistoi, oih. Ateena on niin ihana (aidille mika tahansa on ihanaa Albaniassa vietetyn ajan jalkeen), etta aiti haluaa meidan jaavan viela yhdeksi ylimaaraiseksi paivaksi tanne, eli olisimme 5 paivaa taalla vissiin. On aika hassu olo ...

... telexes (those were funny, real-thing, noisy machines if you remember, something like telefaxes now compared with e-mail) all in triplicate and we were all set after a month of her hard work. This reservation and confirmation part of any preparation for a smooth trip is most important stuff that you need if you travel on a budget, no matter how fat. (to continue)