ATHENS : Days 1 & 2

Day 1 : MONDAY : 10th October.  We were at the front door of the hotel a little before 4 o'clock this morning and were pleased to see a taxi waiting, but it wasn't our taxi....two young women emerged from the hotel after about 10 minutes and climbed into the back seat to be whisked away to places unknown (to us).  It was raining and we were beginning to be a mite anxious, concerned that our ordered taxi wouldn't show up but it soon arrived, the rain stopped and shortly after we were at the airport, walking the long, long walk to the departure gate.  We left on time, the plane was full, I snoozed a little and we arrived in Athens on time.  Marion arrived an hour or so later and we all piled into a taxi which brought us to our accommodation.  We were all very tired and hungry but had to wait for our landlord Kostas to explain all the ins and outs of the apartment, which took more than an hour, before we were able to go out in search of food.   He was very helpful, imparting some useful knowledge re Athens, but all we could think about was food and sleep.  Happily, we found a cafe close by 

where we enjoyed an excellent brunch, even at 2 0'clock, then had a wander around the neighbourhood, found a supermarket, bought a few provisions and found our way back to the apartment for sorely needed rest and recuperation and long awaited catch up.   

In the evening , we found another local restaurant

where we had another excellent meal, after which we all retired early, exhausted.

Day 2 : TUESDAY, 11th October.  After our early night we all felt refreshed this morning, especially Marion who hadn't slept for 2 nights but caught up a little by sleeping for almost 12 hours.  Mike went to the bakery across the road for freshly baked, still warm bread for breakfast and we made plans for today's activities, which included a walk through the park at the end of our street and catching the hop on hop off bus around the city.   This seemed a good way to get the feel of Athens in order to decide which of the many attractions we want to visit tomorrow.  We stayed on the bus for the entire tour which took more than an hour and a half, 

liking what we saw and taking many photos.

  After the bus ride and a bite to eat, 

we wandered through the Flea Market

and returned home for some more R & R.