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The Dream becomes a Reality

Okay...

So my last post a week ago said that I was thinking about the Trans Siberian Express. A lot happens in a week :-)

This journey is something I have wanted to do for many years and it may well become a reality sooner rather than later.

Hindsight and Forethought

I've been home just over 3 weeks and am trying to think of what my plans should be. I had contemplated taking 3 months off again but am not sure if I should do that this year or if I should work though winter and take some time off next summer.

There is one trip I have been wanting to do for years and it would take me 6 months to organise. It's also best done in summer (unless you REALLY like the cold). The trip I am talking about is the Trans Siberian Express from Russia to China via Mongolia overland by train. I am seriously thinking that this might have to be the year to think about it.

Ambling around Athens

Up and at 'em bright and early just after sunrise. Athens is much cooler than the islands have been thankfully. Got picked up at the hotel for the tour at 8am. Tour bus was full of multiple nationalities.

First stop was the site of the 1896 Olympic games. This was pretty kewl - a marble stadium for around 5000 people. We didnt spend long here as you couldnt actually wander around it and could only view it from one end.

Second stop was The Temple of Zeus which was very interesting (yes, I know I dont like old rocks but some old rocks are actually interesting). I took heaps of photos and made friends with a couple from Southern California (Robin and Marc). Any photos of me today were either taken by Robin or Marc.

As we continued around the city, we drove past numerous sites with the ultimate destination being the Acropolis. I actually paid enough attention to learn something today (yep - what a shock). Acropolis comes from two words - Acrop meaning above and polis meaning city so "Acropolis" means "above the city"

Climbing up to the top of the Acropolis was pretty amazing. The views were awesome and the first thing you come across is the Temple of Athena. Behind the Temple of Athena is the Panthenon which is a remarkable bit of engineering.

(To be continue) - posted as draft... too many pics to sort through and too lazy to do it now so will do it tomorrow or Sunday

Getting to Athens

(24th July)
Following my little dealyed flight incident in Turkey (where I arrived many hours too early), I am now suffering delayed flights coming out of Rhodes.

My flight should have boarded half an hour ago. It should have taken off two minues ago. I have heard nothing as to what the delay is. There have been no announcements and I am not expecting any.... I lie... the board has just changed to say "Delay"... No shit Sherlock. It doesnt say anything else. Lucky I have my laptop to keep me company.

The internet here is not working. I can connect to the router but cant get out to the internet. Oh well - It's a good oportunity to download the photos from my camera.

Woo Hoo - They have just announced a departure time. We will now be leaving at 4pm - only an hour and a half late. God I hate airports! I've checked this one out from end to end and it is incredibly boring. Nothing worth seeing here at all. I guess the one saving grace is that you can at least smoke in the damn place.

So... finally arrived in Athens about 3 hours early - despite the last note to myself, I was booked into the Hilton again. Walked in, went to reception and then got directed to the Executive floor for check in. That Diamond membership does have some value because at least I was upgraded and got a bottle of wine and fruit bowl.

Didnt do much - but did organise a sightseeing trip as it is 10 years since I have been to Athens

Rhodes Old Town

(23rd July)
I was up early but it took a long time to get motivated to go and check out Rhodes Old Town - mainly because I knew it was going to be overrun with tourists and of course it was. I'm yet (to my knowledge) meet anyone who has actually lived their entire life on this island or who was even born here.

The security guard at the front gate is Canadian Greek, even my taxi driver was Greek Australian.

Anyway - Rhodes Old Town - as I suspected was swarming with tourists. It was pretty and was had some great views so took lots of photos.

Managed to get some Baklava and Greek Coffee - Neither was as good as the Turkish variety. Greek coffee is supposed to be the same as Turkish but I dont think so.

Sat down by the ocean for a while looking at the old town walls. Although it is interesting, I would say that I have been to some much more interesting places in my life. Rhodes, as pretty as it is, just doesnt do it for me.

Went back to the hotel and saw the tailor. New suit is nice although the trousers are a little more fitted than what I wear on my suits. I really like the material though - Is cashmere wool mix. The proof will be in the wearing.

The shorts he as made are awesome. Really good for travelling. I asked him to sew a pocket for passports and he has. I'm very happy with them and should have got 2 pairs made.

Had dinner in the Hilton's Japanese Restaurant as I'm not that keen on the Greek Food I have eaten so far. The restaurant was rubbish. I ordered Green tea - they bought me out camomile and peppermint tea... ummmm sorry folks ... not the same thing! I ordered California Temaki and got Tuna Temaki. I ordered "dumplings" which where so badly cooked that the dough wasnt cooked on one half and was over cooked on the other half to the point that it fell apart when you picked it up. I ordered pork and ginger. The pork was over cooked and the rice was basmati. Since when did Japanese people eat basmati rice? Now - the reason I am singling out the basmati rice is simply the fact that because it doesnt stick together, it is nearly impossible to pick up with chopsticks.

I guess you could say that I really concentrated on the quality (or lack there of) of the food. There was a reason for this. The only other view I had in this restaurant was of two middle aged German lesbians snogging. Whilst I have nothing against people's particular sexual preferences, I dont believe snogging in a restaurant is appropriate regardless of whether you are hetrosexual or homosexual. Unfortunately I had a view of nothing else.

As I am leaving tomorrow, I have come back and managed to pack all my gear in my bag - amazing as I never thought it would all fit. I even managed to get my snotkelling gear in there.
so - tomorrow, off to Athens. Am staying at the Athens Hilton so lets see how that pans out. I guarantee you that I will regret staying there and would have been better off in some cheap, 2 star hotel... Note to self... no more Hiltons!

Lindos

(22nd July)

Before I left London, I was told that I had to visit Lindos whilst I was on Rhodes so I did.

Whilst Lindos is a very pretty place if you look at it from a distance, with it's white buildings and Acropolis on top of the hill, it isnt my cup of tea.

Inside Lindos there are hundreds of tourist shops and the place is heaving with tourists. Way too many tourists for my liking.I walked around, took some photos, contemplated walking up to the Acropolis but since it was 40 degrees plus on the ground, I dreaded to think how hot it would be on the top and there wasnt any shade.

Instead I saw a couple of black women who were braiding hair and decided to get my hair braided so now I have some lovely cornrows. Maybe not so lovely but it is a damn sight cooler and I look like a travelling hippy. All that's missing are the multiple facial piercings and the tattoos. Of course I wont be getting those.

Anyway, I digress - happily I had decided to go to Lindos for half a day so I got to leave after 3 hours.

I got back to the hotel, got my face sorted (which is now feeling much better) and sat on the balcony contemplating life.

I think I have actually been very lucky to be able to do the things that I have done and to lead the type of lifestyle that I do. I dont know anyone who has been to half the amount of places that I've been to or done half of the things I have done. I believe I am indeed extremely fortunate.

So life contemplated, what to do next? I checked out the pool and the beach. Prior to this trip I had never seen a pebble beach. On this trip, I have seen nothing but pebble beaches. I thought sandy beaches were normal. There was too much swell at the beach to snorkel so I didnt. Also no decent rocks around so I wouldnt have seen much marine life anyway so I gave up and went back to my room to read my book.