Phidias Piraeus

After our diversion yesterday, we cruised the ocean until we got to this port of Piraeus, which is the port for Athens. We didn't get in until 3pm so our day was cut short. We both decided that we didn't want to go into Athens, which was a fair way off and, because it was a Sunday we were told that the trains weren't running so we decided to get the shuttle bus from the ship into the port gates which was a five minute drive away in the bus. We got off ...

... the travel agency. The other option was to go bungy jumping at the Corinth Canal. I woke up on the third day for breakfast and to grab some free internet, though I mainly wanted to confirm plans for Croatia and ensure that bungy jumping was still an option. As far as lackluster days go, this may have been one of them. In fact, this country may have (I should have just gone to an island and beached it). After staying in the previous night with a few friends, the three ...

... 6:45 when I thought she'd be up getting ready for work (Sorry!!!) and then I walked around Athens. I walked into a garden that was an archeological museum and was promptly asked for 3 Euro. I passed on the entrance fee and walked around the perimeter and made some photos through the wrought iron fence - for free! I made my way back to the train station, hopped the train back to Piraeus and came back to the ship to eat dinner and get ready to return to work.

So, we finally got out of Singapore Airport after being there for 20-odd hours. The flight to Doha in Qatar didn't seem too long because we both slept most of the way. Landing in Doha was an experience, the place is flat, brown, and in a desert... We were in the airport for a couple of hours and then boarded another ...

... this city is, something like 6 million people. We actually stayed in a hotel in Piraeus but it's just on the outskirts of Athens. I made it in time to still explore the city a bit, and all of us went out to eat. Our hotel didn't have an elevator so we had to walk up 8 floors to our room. It's kinda cool I guess I'm just used to lazy America where everyone takes the elevator up one floor.

Despite Jody's foot injury, we spent the day on a 6-hour shore excursion, including climbing to the top of the Acropolis in Athens, where the Parthenon and other temples are located. Then it was on to an hour in a museum full Greek sculptures and other historical artifacts ...

... time heading out to the port city/ district of Piraeus to look at some Greek Island cruise options. They all look a little tepid and uninspiring, possibly a result of the consummately derelict vibe the city fathers have carefully shaped and attained for Piraeus. A beautiful Parthenon, excellent gyros, and a world of hate if you decide to enter by train. That's Greece. Never again. * * * Having some camera/ virus issues so Claude's good photos of the Parthenon will be delayed a while... :(

... on my way back to the hotel. I also found this little cafe off one of the streets. There was a group of people sitting around singing and playing music, so it was very entertaining to watch and listen to them while I ate. Of course I could not undestand what they were singing because it was in Greek, but it sounded really good. I ended up staying at the cafe for a couple hours listening to them. Finally I went back to my hotel again to put my shopping bags down and headed to Likovitas ...

... spaghetti restaurant 2. The woman who didn't speak a word of English at the music store, but she seemed to enjoy the music. Coolest Hotel: Dana Villas, in Santorini Most intense wind I have ever encountered in my life: Hike up the mountains in Santorini Biggest Annoyance: The stupid little toy clubs during the Mardi Gras festival. Best Joke: Dressing up in the bath robes and ...

... nights sleep, but not bad considering we were sharing the ferry with half of Europe!... Santorini is simply magical... White washed homes, villas, churches and hotels clinging to the cliff edges of one of the world's largest Calderas. Once a huge volcano, an enormous ancient eruption (16th century BC) collapsed the main cone of the volcano and left only the edge surfaced above the Meditarranean, encircling a huge space of water. It is on this edge that Santorini's villages lie ...