GREECE

Well we arrived in Athens, Greece, around 3pm and headed to catch an airport taxi. We booked a hotel close to the airport so we could meet up with Ms. Paige! The taxi line was packed so finally after getting our taxi we were on our way. Along the drive the old man taxi driver was speaking to us in broken english but he was friendly so it was an enjoyable ride. Right outside the airport on the side of the road were slums it seemed which was an unexpected site. Finally, we arrived to our hotel and the meter on the taxi said $11, but I know there is an extra couple of dollars usually from the airport (something they all do to make money) but when our driver mentioned on the ride that we are close to the airport which is not good business for him I had a feeling about the fee at the end. Well he told me for putting our things in the trunk, the conversation and airport fee it would be $20. Well I questioned him a few times but finally just paid the money to get to the check in.

The hotel was great and since they had a gym and we were bored we decided to get a quick workout. Once that was done we ate at the local fastfood joint (which was the only thing by this hotel literally) called Goody’s. Now just to mention Greece is one of the healthiest places one can eat due to the food itself and how it is cooked. So Goodies, uses fresh oil daily that actually reduces a lot of the fat in the fries and they gave you a paper explaining how healthy they were so it was surprising compared to the sites along the way. That was it for our first night as we went to sleep to meet up with “jolly green giant” Ms. Paige!
We made it up early and began to head over to Paige’s hotel. It was a long bus ride through some crazy traffic as the bus was changing lanes as if it was a sports car, no joke! We arrived to Paige’s and then immediately went to find some food which was a nearby mom & pop place. Food was good so we even went back for dinner. After lunch we headed into town by Syntagama Square, a popular tourist place to shop basically. While others in our group ate my amazingly gorgous wife, purrty Paige, and myself checked out the local market and shops. We walked all around and bought a few little nicnaks along the way. After meeting up with the rest of the group we headed back to the hotel to get dinner and call it a night.

By now the first 2 days flew because there was so much travelling involved so here comes the rest and relax-a-tion part. We took the train from Syntagama Square, and headed to the port called Pireaus. On the train we got on we didn’t take our big packbacks off which was an invitation for what came next. I seen this old man about the height of my wife hurrily come up to us once we boarded. After a few minutes I seen this old guy try to pic pocket my wife. So I decided rather that grabbing or causing a scene I would simply look at the pocket so he sees I am watching, and then it would be over. Well he tried a few more times so finally I just stared him right in the eyes hard to give him the que to go. He moved on and shortly after his other unsuccessful attempt he got off a the next stop. It was an experience to see but he wasn’t that good…lol (by the way the wifes pockets were empty, and I always have my hand in my pockets so they don’t even look my way that’s the trick).

Now we arrived at the port and when we got off it was almost what I expected as any port looks, run down and bummy. We started to follow the directions to the hotel to drop our bags that were now killing our backs in the heat. After walking about a mile we finally reassured ourselves we were heading in the right direction. The direction said head to gate 10 of the port, but the signs only said gates 9, 11, and 12 so we didn’t know if 10 even exsisted. Moving along we were 3 blocks across from the port and our hotel was actually really nice. The room was big and it had a/c. Since it was early still about 11am, we decided to walk around the market in this area. Walking around it was hot, we were tired from all of the travelling so we headed back to the room to have some down time.

The next morning we woke up and left about 9am to the port. The purpose of going to the port was to take 2 days for 2 different Greek Islands. They have day trips which would be perfect for us (cheaper). So our first island was Aigina. The tickets cost $14 euro each and it was a 1hr “fast boat” ride. The island looked like postcards. The buildings were all white walls with orange or blue roofs. It was cool to see every building was white but it gave it that nice island feel. Once off the boat you only need to walk about 100ft and there is the beach area. The beach chair rentals were $6 for the day, and a bar was right there as well with an older Nigerian dude who was cool. We layed around for about 3hrs, and the water was crystal clear I mean up to my chest in the water I could still see my feet clearly.
After the beach we packed up and headed back the same way because that 100ft was full of restaurants right on the water. We ordered some local beers , rice with shrimp, and crab claw cakes. We really ate the European way here. The American way is sit, eat, pay and leave within about 1hr, but in Europe you sit for a bit then get served drinks, shortly after order food, and then dessert but the entire meal is about 2-3hrs if not more. Since you are a customer they do not hassle you to leave as you can stay as long as you want even if you are just sitting there talking. Being on this island that was the perfect way to take in the moment. The boat came finally and we headed back to the hotel after a total of 5-6hrs on the island.
The following day, our last day at the port we headed to Poros. The lady the day before (Friday) did not tell us Saturday is swamped more specifically the other island we inquired about Hydra. Since we got there early even the tickets were sold out for Hydra and our only option was the “slow boat” to Poros which was 2hrs. Arriving at Poros was actually a sight even better looking than Ageina. However, on this island we had to walk about 1mile to get to the beach. Before getting to the beach we stopped for breakfast and grabbed some traditional gryos DAMN GOOD! They come with fries wrapped in with the meat and all. At the beach the chairs were free, so we did what we planned …relaxed again. The water was just as clear but entering the water here for about 3ft were huge rocks you had to walk carefully and slow through the waves too. Once out of the water the weather actually became cloudy and we decided to sit a little longer before getting food. On the way back we hit up a small bar/internet café to kill an hour. Finally we headed back to the same breakfast spot to get dinner (yes no lunch really, which is normally how we eat on the road). Again my sexy mama got the gryo again and I decided on the Giant gryos…..WOW! Then back for our 2hr boat ride home and prepping for the next days hike back with all the bags to the station to head towards Acropolis which is were our next hotel was.

Leaving the hotel early about 8am we headed towards to station, but we unexpectedly had company. This dog started following us, and I mean really following our every steps. Around Greece there are dogs all over just loose some are pets and some aren’t but they are all so used to people. This one dog was listening as we told him “stop” “come” so we decided to walk with him more. I figured he may be hungry but no one ever really fed the dogs that we saw, so as we passed the Mcdonalds I bought him a hamburger. Once out the Mcdonalds I tossed it aside quickly so no one thought we were crazy feeding the dogs. He didn’t eat the burger and as we tried to get away he followed. We finally lost him and he went back to the burger.

After arriving in Acropolis, the hotel was like a quick 10mins walk from the station, but even better news our very nice 3star hotel had a sister hotel on the corner that was a 4star and due to over booking we were upgraded for free. We went right from the hotel into the old area Plaka, for lunch. The Plaka area, and the Acropolis monuments were all 2blks from the hotel which couldn’t have been better.
**Note: The port was dirty really only go there if you plan on using the port to see the islands. If not do not go to this area as there is nothing to do. Now Athens city centre the Acropolis area is the place to be. Police all over, people, kids it was all way above my expectations. This is the place to be but only for 2-3 days as you really do everything in that time.**

So after fueling up we headed to see the Parentheon, Theatre of Odeon, and the rest of the sites. The hike was rough it was hot and about 20min hike straight up. There are no rails or barriers so you must be careful by the edges or you can fall, and from the top it is several hundred feet up. We made it to the top and saw what we all see in the history books. I mean this place you could feel the history as Greece is a very old country, and you just felt it was big. We took our time to really take this all in and then headed back to the room for a little nap from the heat. We then came back out for dinner in the Plaka area, were we actually ate dinner I saw they have $1.80 gyros to go. Dinner we ate all traditinal greek food Mousaki for appetizer (cheese, ground beef, eggplant in a bowl heated in the oven with the top layer of cheese crispy), turkey for me and lamb for my wife, and dessert was bakalava (pastry, crushed almonds, and hot honey).

Then next day was simply exploring the entire city. They say you never have been to Athens until you have explored and gotten lost, so we simply wandered around. We passed our dinner place though so I could of course get my 1st of 3 gryos to go! After shopping and getting many more souviners for memories. We then went back to the hotel so we can then eat a later dinner so we could be out at night when they Acropolis monuments actually all light up. The next day we were flying back to Stuttgart, Germany as we await the next leg of the trip.

Now the first leg of the trip was for my beautiful wife and me to explore the world together as one. We were able to learn about each other and grow our love for each other even stronger! We are truly to extremelly blessed people to have found each other and what we have is truly a work of god!

Leading into the second leg is when we travel with our in-laws who are coming for 3wks. I can’t say enough how excited I am to see them as we both miss them so much. I really love them both very much and we have a blast at home, and now to experience other parts of the world with them is bringing this trip to an entirely different level. I know they will have an awesome time with us and for each other which is most important. My in-laws do for so many and themselves last, so this trip they deserve the world. I love you both and can’t wait to see you soon!!!