Now to belatedly begin the series of Greek blogs.
After much walking along the ancient and modern paths of Athens (plus enjoying our first delicious Greek cafe meal!) we set off early the next morning to catch the ferry to Naxos.
On 28 April we set off by train from Southampton to Gatwick airport for our Easyjet flight to Greece. On arrival Mike yet again enjoyed leaving Kay in the "AAAA" queue ("Americans, Africans, Arabs & Asians") while he waltzed through the EU gate. We arrived late at night & were advised to catch a bus to the centre of Athens and then get a taxi to our hotel. A very charming taxi driver pointed out the sights & then proceeded to charge us gullible (& stupid!) tourists 4 times the going rate - he & the money were gone in a flash, before we had time to realise. No more taxis for us!
We were greeted at our hotel by a disinterested guy who sent us to a tiny (but clean) room, next to a demolition sight & on the edge of the red light district. Maybe there was a reason there was no outside picture of the hotel on the website. Needless to say the street below never went to sleep. Welcome to Athens!
The next morning after little sleep & a very basic hotel breakfast, we set off to find the 'i' site for information about visiting Greek islands. With the help a kind young woman, we got the Metro to the centre of town. But the 'i' site was elusive so we ended up with another charming Greek, this time a travel agent. He had ferries & accommodation sorted for Naxos, Santorini & Crete, and we were off to see the sights of Athens in no time. A little more costly but a lot less stress. And Mike's eyes glittered at the thought of a little more comfort!
Athens has a similar population to NZ - and is full of noise, traffic and a mass of locals & tourists. And there, in the middle of it all, are the sights - "pinch yourself" material. That is really us (above) seeing these things.
The next morning after little sleep & a very basic hotel breakfast, we set off to find the 'i' site for information about visiting Greek islands. With the help a kind young woman, we got the Metro to the centre of town. But the 'i' site was elusive so we ended up with another charming Greek, this time a travel agent. He had ferries & accommodation sorted for Naxos, Santorini & Crete, and we were off to see the sights of Athens in no time. A little more costly but a lot less stress. And Mike's eyes glittered at the thought of a little more comfort!
Athens has a similar population to NZ - and is full of noise, traffic and a mass of locals & tourists. And there, in the middle of it all, are the sights - "pinch yourself" material. That is really us (above) seeing these things.The stone work was amazing and 
building was such a feat - perhaps the picture (above) shows how they did it?!
building was such a feat - perhaps the picture (above) shows how they did it?!
(Note the Acropolis in the background of the street scene below.
Any resemblance on the right?!) 
After much walking along the ancient and modern paths of Athens (plus enjoying our first delicious Greek cafe meal!) we set off early the next morning to catch the ferry to Naxos.