Sunday April 2, 2023
I love travelling to experience new places and experiencing the cultures, cuisine and the people. Sometimes getting from point A to B turns into an adventure of another sort. Sunday’s trip from Lisbon to Athens turned into one of those days.
The disembarkation process was smooth and I’d booked a transfer from the ship to the airport so it was early but I’m good with being at the airport and ready to board. I didn’t make plans with the gang and after a quick loop, I boarded the bus on my own. After checkin, I hung out at the bus unloading zone to catch them for a quick goodbye before heading to the lounge to relax. I used points for my flight and I’m flying biz class.
My plan for hugs at the bus stop works for the folks heading to Canada and I ran into Craig and Kerry in the Terminal so things are working out so far.
The lounge is a bit of a zoo but I grab some water and find a spot to wait. At some point I notice that my flight to Rome has been delayed by an hour and that’s when the fun begins. No way will I make the connection at this rate so I head to the transfer desk to see if there are any options. After a heated debate I’m told to wait until I get to Rome as I will have an hour (I don’t think they factored in the time difference!).
Anyway long story short, I’m met at the plane and advised that I’m rebooked for the next morning. Wouldn’t usually be a big deal but I’m supposed to meet a four day tour of the highlights of Greece at 7:30 am Monday and that isn’t going to happen.
The rep takes me and the folks that have missed their connection to Cairo to pick up our baggage and get us on a bus to the hotel they’ve booked for us. Surprise surprise my bags aren’t there. Lol. To make matters more aggravating, my flight to Athens was actually delayed and I could have made the connection easily if I’d been left to my own devices.
Oh well, not to be so I fire off emails to the tour operator and hotel in Athens to let them know the situation. I’m hoping to join my group along the way to salvage some of the tour. That ends up being another story but I’m optimistic as we head to the hotel, grab a bite and try to get some sleep before my 6 am pick up tomorrow. Yikes! I hate early mornings and we’ve lost an hour with the time change so it’s the middle of the night. Lol.
Tomorrow is another day. Adventures await …
Monday April 3, 2023
The flight on Monday is uneventful but I’ve not heard anything from the tour company. I hope they didn’t wait for me too long at the pick up point! My luggage was sadly not on the belt but when I make it through the long line to check on delayed baggage, I’m told it arrived last night on the original flight. Maybe the travel Gods don’t totally hate me! I grab a cab to the city. I’ve booked my original hotel for the night to regroup and try the tour company again; maybe a phone call will work better. The lovely lady that I chatted with found my email and assured me that she’d sent it to a supervisor so I’m optimistic it will all work out.
That evening when I hadn’t heard back, I sent another email before heading out to forage for food. I had a beautiful Greek Salad and a pork skewer with pita bread at a local joint. Back to the hotel for an early night! Tomorrow I can figure out what to do.
Tomorrow is another day. Adventures await …
Tuesday April 4, 2023
Tuesday morning and still nothing from the tour company so I reached out to Expedia as I’d booked with them to see what could be done. Apparently the tour company has a policy not to allow people to join later so they are requesting a refund which I doubt will happen. Hopefully my travel insurance will kick in and I’ll get a refund when I get home. Looks like I’ll have more time to explore Athens (I haven’t started yet lol!).
The hotel breakfast buffet is interesting with spanakopita, dolmas, eggs, pasta, pies, yoghurt and everything in between. Something for everyone. At some point I hear back from the tour company and they offer me a complimentary two day tour to compensate for my inconvenience. Still hoping to recoup the difference through insurance but it sounds better than nothing so I’m in.
The pick up point is nearby so my first job is to confirm that I can find it tomorrow morning. My lack of direction sense is a real thing but it is so easy that even I can find it.
Now it’s time to see if I can find any of the sights in the city. After wandering in the wrong direction, it is clear that I’ll need another plan for Friday but it’s getting late so I head back to the hotel and find it after only one stop for directions. I’m thinking taxis or Hop on Hop off bus next time!
Not really hungry so a banana and yoghurt is my dinner before I try to figure out what to pack for my tour. Most of my stuff will stay in the room (I already booked it before I heard back from the tour company) but can’t see leaving my valuables even in the safe so they’re coming with me along with a change of clothes.
Time for some light reading before another early night. Wouldn’t want to miss the pick up tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day. Adventures await …
Wednesday April 5, 2023
Up and at ‘em at 0-dark-30 this morning. Quick breakfast of Greek yoghurt, cereal and fruit before heading off the meet my tour. The big bus makes several stops to pick up folks joining the tour and then we’re off for the 120 km/2.5 hour drive to Delphi; north to Marathon and then west to Delphi.
Our bus driver for the two days is Thomas and he amazing as we find out later. Our guide for Delphi is Martina. We’re going to have a new guide for Day two.
There is, of course, the requisite bathroom stop where you can get drinks and snacks. Apparently all busses stop here on the way to Delphi as the place is crawling with tourists. Delphi aka the “Navel of the World” is the second most visited site with 1/2 million visitors per year. The Acropolis is # 1 with 5 Million visitors annually!! The scenery out the bus window is interesting (when I can stay awake!).
Soon enough we arrive in Arachova, aka the village of walnut trees, located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus just outside of Delphi. Arachova is a panoramic town, with small houses scattered over the hillside and cobbled streets showcasing its picturesque architecture. This beautiful town has one obvious deficiency; it’s very narrow streets which seem to have attracted all manner of ginormous busses and trucks that are battling their way through town. Thomas really earned his money driving through this labyrinth. Yikes.
Delphi, in legend previously called Phytho, was the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. Delphi took its name from the Delphyne, the she-serpent (drakaina) who lived there and was killed by the god Apollo, or maybe the serpent was the male serpent (drakon) Python. Hard to know after all this time but everyone seems to agree that Apollo rules the roost.
Delphi’s oracle, the Pythia was a woman over fifty year of age of good reputation chosen from the women in the area. Alone in an enclosed inner sanctum she sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth (the “chasm”). During Delphi’s hey day Nero, Hadrian and Alexander the Great came to get prophesies. The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the omphalos (navel).
According to legend, when Apollo slew Python its body fell into this fissure and fumes arose from its decomposing body. Intoxicated by the vapors, the sibyl would fall into a trance, allowing Apollo to possess her spirit. In this state she prophesied.
Ancient writers, including Plutarch who had worked as a priest at Delphi, attributed the oracular effects to the sweet-smelling vapour (perhaps ethylene) escaping from the chasm in the rock. It seems the oracle may have had a bit of a buzz on!
The sacred precinct of Delphi lies on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus. It is now an extensive archaeological site, and since 1938 a part of Parnassos National Park. The precinct is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in having had a great influence in the ancient world, as evidenced by the various monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states.
Armed with some of the history, we’re off the bus and heading up the hill on the Sacred (Zig Zag) Path to hear more of the history and check out the restored ruins. It’s a beautiful sunny day so despite the hoards of unrestrained tourists and the unrelenting stairs (!), the site is stunning. I won’t regale you with all the details but if you’re ever in Greece, go to Delphi!
With loads of pictures for memories, the crew heads off to meet our guide for tomorrow, Christina, and then off to a local hotel for lunch before a 4.5 hr drive to Meteora. The first 90 minutes or so is through a series of switchbacks with beautiful mountain views.
Before our pee/rest stop, we have a quick stop at the statue of Leonidas in Thermopylae.
In August 480 BC, Leonidas marched out of Sparta to meet Xerxes’ army at Thermopylae with a small force of 1,200 men (including 300 Spartan) where he was joined by forces from other Greek city-states, who put themselves under his command to form an army of 7,000 strong. They faced a much larger Persian army (estimates of between 120,000 and 300,000) who had invaded from the north of Greece under Xerxes I.
The outnumbered Greeks held them off for seven days (including three of direct battle) before their rear-guard was annihilated in one of history’s most famous last stands. During two full days of battle, the Greeks blocked the only road by which the massive Persian army could traverse the narrow pass. After the second day, a local resident named Ephialtes revealed to the Persians the existence of a path leading behind the Greek lines.
Once Leonidas became aware that his force was being outflanked by the Persians, he dismissed the bulk of the Greek army and remained to guard their retreat along with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians. The Greeks fought the Persians to the death buying time for the Greek naval force to withdraw to the Island of Salamis. A year later the Greek fleet—seeking a decisive victory over the Persian armada—attacked and defeated the invading force at the Battle of Saladis sending the Persians and Xerxes home.
The statue has the response from Leonidas to Xerxes when he told the Greeks to surrender – Come and get it!
After the photo and rest stops, our drive is on highways with smooth sailing to Kalambaka, a town built at the base of Meteora in the Thessalian Valley where we are treated to our fist views of the legendary monasteries perched atop the Meteora rocks. I took a couple pics from my hotel balcony – beauteous.
Time to quickly freshen up before our buffet dinner featuring grilled meats, Greek and international delicacies, salads and desserts before heading to relax before calling it a night.
Tomorrow is another day. Adventures await …
Judy’s Rambles 