Arrival and First Evening in Athens
I had given a very specific task to Ju to find in DETAIL how to get to the hotel from the airport by the airport bus as I preferred not to take a taxi.
My heart missed a beat. [Oh luckily, I did not delete the Uber apps 😌 in my mobile but it has not been updated😑]. We waited. 😕
I had given a very specific task to Ju to find in DETAIL how to get to the hotel from the airport by the airport bus as I preferred not to take a taxi.
He was doing his usual on-demand googling as we walked out of the airport. We boarded the BLUE bus that would terminate by the hotel but were told to buy the ticket from the ticket booth first. We alighted and the bus drove off. 😒
The taxi stand had a "38 Euro" signage and awaiting taxis.
The elderly taxi driver was driving too fast in his rather old car on the highway. Suddenly, he spoke to us (in Greek, of course), stopped and left the car. 😲
The elderly taxi driver was driving too fast in his rather old car on the highway. Suddenly, he spoke to us (in Greek, of course), stopped and left the car. 😲
My heart missed a beat. [Oh luckily, I did not delete the Uber apps 😌 in my mobile but it has not been updated😑]. We waited. 😕
He went to the boot, then to the bonnet, open it and seemed to pour a bottle of fluid [Our view was blocked but I assume the car was overheating?].
He came back into the car and drove on 😌 [I would not complain if he charged a higher fare].
As the car approached the city, there’s a familiar feel of township with low-rise buildings unlike other capital cities. We paid 45 euro (43euro shown on meter). [We arrive safely, what 38Euro?!]
After checking in, we walked to Syntagma Square that had been beautifully decorated and lighted for Christmas.
We had a tasty and reasonably-price dinner in a restaurant on the square. The dinner soothed our nerves from our " taxi adventure".
After a hearty meal, we strolled across the square to Ermou Street. The street was crowded and bustling with shoppers.
As we strolled through the street, we had our first glimpse of the lighted-up Acropolis on the hill.
We walked along a few intersecting streets, went to the subway to check on the purchase of subway tickets, and headed back to the hotel.
We had a tasty and reasonably-price dinner in a restaurant on the square. The dinner soothed our nerves from our " taxi adventure".
After a hearty meal, we strolled across the square to Ermou Street. The street was crowded and bustling with shoppers.
As we strolled through the street, we had our first glimpse of the lighted-up Acropolis on the hill.
We walked along a few intersecting streets, went to the subway to check on the purchase of subway tickets, and headed back to the hotel.
Walking
Athens was the heart of the powerful Ancient Greece civilization. The city is filled with many semi-surviving landmarks from the period. We walked often on Ermour Street and its intersecting side-roads and lanes. Old ancient buildings or relics could be seen almost wherever we went. The Byzantine church at Ermou street stood amongst more modern buildings.
The walk was made interesting as we'd would turn into side-roads and chance upon these buildings from more ancient times stood up amongst more modern architecture.
At times, we passed by large sites filled with ruins and broad streets flanked by local cafes.
We could buy souvenirs from many of the small shops and had a coffee break along the way.
Athens was the heart of the powerful Ancient Greece civilization. The city is filled with many semi-surviving landmarks from the period. We walked often on Ermour Street and its intersecting side-roads and lanes. Old ancient buildings or relics could be seen almost wherever we went. The Byzantine church at Ermou street stood amongst more modern buildings.
The walk was made interesting as we'd would turn into side-roads and chance upon these buildings from more ancient times stood up amongst more modern architecture.
We could buy souvenirs from many of the small shops and had a coffee break along the way.
Plaka
Hillside Plaka resembled a village with the Acropolis as its backdrop. It is lined with small shops selling different type of goods.
Hillside Plaka resembled a village with the Acropolis as its backdrop. It is lined with small shops selling different type of goods.
Pickpocket Encounter
We had been careful with our belongings having heard of stories of thieves and pickpockets.
We had our dinner near Plaka and took a stroll around the vicinity after our dinner.
A teenager walked alongside TP and suddenly chatted to him and a boy of about 6-7 years passed in front of him. In the next instant, the young boy was already holding TP's mobile phone
We had been careful with our belongings having heard of stories of thieves and pickpockets.
We had our dinner near Plaka and took a stroll around the vicinity after our dinner.
A teenager walked alongside TP and suddenly chatted to him and a boy of about 6-7 years passed in front of him. In the next instant, the young boy was already holding TP's mobile phone
We were SHOCKED! [His phone was inside his deep front pocket]!
They waved the mobile phone and shouted : "20 Euros! 20 Euros!" [I assume for return of phone]😖.
However, both were trailing us chanting: "20 euros 20 Euros 20 Euros". [They have no fear?!]
Then, I shouted loudly 😠at them to back off, and they ambled off. 😕
After walking a fair distance and nerve was calm, we chatted excitedly and marveled at their 'smooth coordination' and ‘swift action’.
We continued with our walk back to the hotel and we saw them again and they uttered "20Euros". 😮
In the next instant, TP snatched the phone back from the young boy! 😮
[I was extremely impressed as usually TP was not that quick to react... to anything 😈]
We stared and walk away.
However, both were trailing us chanting: "20 euros 20 Euros 20 Euros". [They have no fear?!]
Then, I shouted loudly 😠at them to back off, and they ambled off. 😕
After walking a fair distance and nerve was calm, we chatted excitedly and marveled at their 'smooth coordination' and ‘swift action’.
They seemed to be good-hearted enough to ask for euros instead of trying to sell or throwing the phone if they could not break its security? [Also, they were only youngsters...]
We continued with our walk back to the hotel and we saw them again and they uttered "20Euros". 😮
We ignored and moved on.
[Actually, I was impressed by their skill and maybe could pay them for a 'demo'? But I have to show my wallet?].
Athens Central Market
TP is always keen to visit fish or fresh-produce markets, while I was interested in visiting Chinatown. On a rainy day before going to Aegina, we went to the Athens Central Market.
It sells many different types of food.
It was quite interesting but we did not stay long there.
TP is always keen to visit fish or fresh-produce markets, while I was interested in visiting Chinatown. On a rainy day before going to Aegina, we went to the Athens Central Market.
It sells many different types of food.
It was quite interesting but we did not stay long there.
Changing of the Guards
Our hotel was just across the grounds of the Presidential Mansion where the changing of guards is performed.
Our hotel was just across the grounds of the Presidential Mansion where the changing of guards is performed.
Thought
Thanks to cousin Jenny's recommendation, the Athens hotel was conveniently located beside Syntagma Square and the Blue Bus to the airport was just round the corner. The receptionist was friendly and helpful, and the room was clean with a good view of the Botanic Garden.
Thanks to cousin Jenny's recommendation, the Athens hotel was conveniently located beside Syntagma Square and the Blue Bus to the airport was just round the corner. The receptionist was friendly and helpful, and the room was clean with a good view of the Botanic Garden.
I was really happy to be able to see Meteora and Acropolis with my own eyes rather than from documentary shows or books, even though we had some unexpected encounters in Greece.
The near "pickpocket" incident serves as a good reminder to be cautious, but should not deter anyone from visiting Greece.