Day 28 (10.4.14) The Odyssey End

Now the time has come to call our odyssey complete. Many life experiences have been had, much has been discovered, consumed, spent and enjoyed. But what have I learned from this odyssey aside from Greece being a must visit destination?, I have the best travel partner in Gina.

Gina and I get ourselves to the Athen's airport after some inconvenience, a national strike was called which impacts trains amongst other things. Problematic, yes, but not enough to slow us down!. 

We are feeling a little flat at the airport in the knowledge that the odyssey is ending,

But then we think of our little mate Rexy

And we know the time is right to come home!

This holiday marked a special life event that not many get to achieve. It was big and we always wanted to mark it with a special event. I feel extremely proud of our achievements in life whether low or high and know that I would not change it for the world.

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary

So you may recall that whilst on the island of Naxos I asked Andrew

And I finally got my answer. 

What more could a girl want than to spend the rest of her life with her soul mate.

I found mine in Andrew who I adore.

Day 27 (9/4/14) - Athens: Last Days of the Odyssey

It is our last full day in Athens today as we fly out tonight at 19:15 via Qatar back to Melbourne. We have had an amazing experience on this trip and pinch ourselves regularly to make sure it is real. Europe is an  amazing destination in general, and Greece has proven to be a mine rich of history, culture, heritage. The people on the whole have been very good to us, and in particular there have been a few along the way who have made the trip that bit more special.

That said, the French have a bad reputation for arrogance and rudeness. We reckon they are a bit hard done by. Spend a few days in Athens, and you'll understand.

Gina's high moments:

• Breath taking view from our apartment upon waking up in Santorini
• Athens Plaka which didn't exist when I was last here 30 yrs ago
• Crystal clear waters of the beaches on the Islands
• 24/7 Andrew by my side
• Our mark with the padlock in Santorini
• The quiet time to reflect how blessed we are to travel
• Meeting Sofia who broaden our experiences in Naxos
• The goats crossing the road in the mountains of Naxos - so cliche
• Surreal feeling at the top of Filopappos Hill
• Giving love to some of the abandoned animals

Andrew's high moments:

• The first view from our hotel room looking over the Caldera in Santorini
• Just being in Greece, it's been on my bucket list
• Seeing the blue domed roof tops in Santorini, surreal
• Same for Parthenon and Acropolis
• The food, all too awesome to narrow down, but we've eaten local and traditional, and rarely left wanting
• The time with Gina, yep, it's cliche, but it's been quality time
• The Greek Islands, the post cards do not lie
• The hospitality we were shown by Sofia and her family in Naxos, we were made so welcome

The lows:

• You're joking right?
• Well maybe one, the sheer number of forgotten cats and dogs wandering the streets, it's both heartbreaking and disgraceful

Last Odyssey Ouzo

Get's my approval!

Bars on on the steps to Acropolis

The God's stairway to heaven?

Nightlife Athens style

See you when we get back!

Day 26 (8/4/14) - Athens: Last of the Ruins

Why why did we get onto these so late in the travels. Small bread carts which many Athenaens stop at the morning for brekkie. Delicious morsels of bread and sweet bread that are covered in sesame seeds or filled with a Nutella praline, 1 Euro or my fave which is covered in sunflower seeds is only 0.50 euro. So one of these and a double espresso, brekkie done. 

Did someone say strawberries?

Oh, Oh, the fresh fruit cart is only over there with fruit stacked so skillfully. Yes thanks 1/2 kilo of strawberries later (1 euro) breakfast of champions.

Skills have stood the test of time

Fuelled and armed, now to complete the last of the ruins; our climb to Filopappos Hill. The peak is marked by the tomb and monument of Roman Senator Gaius Julius Antiochus Filopappos. Who's he I hear you ask?. I don't know, its all about the climb to the hilltop for the jaw-dropping, sweeping views from the Acropolis to the sea.  

Monument on F Hill

But really the Roman Senator was a lover of Classical Greek culture. Hence this massive monument built in his Honor.

Improving the skyline ;-)

Skyline from Filopappous Hill

as parched as this fresco

So relaxed these days that we forgot a bottle of water for the climb so first stop upon the track back down is H2O fast !!! 

Heading here for a nightcap tonight

But so many streets to choose from and we even stumbled across a fellow artist like myself. Not a winner for my artwork yet , but honourable mention.......

Street Sign , relatively easy to get around - NOT says Gina

Caution, artist at work in the Plaka

Modern ruins = graffiti

Pasticcio (rear) like pasta-al-forno, Greek style

Ah, and we find the perfect traditional taverna. Yes, Mythos to wet the whistle and for lunch, mousaka for me and pasticcio for Andrew accompanied by a fresh green salad. So peaceful so we think until a school group of Italian lads dine at our taverna too.  Hilarious entertainment .

Day 25 (8/4/14) - Athens Wanderings

A record shop window...very cool original covers

Today we are back in Athens, just wandering, with no particular plan or destination in mind. We started the day in a leisurley manner, but this time we take umbrellas!

We realise even further how peaceful the islands actually are when the bustle of traffic , people, lights and activity is at it's max here in Athens.

So I took pleasure in some random photos of what we see along the way. Flea markets, cafes, stores, food, restaurants, ruins, stray dogs and everything in between that makes Attens Athens.

Just looking...

Daytime view

Rooftop relaxing 

same for me 

Nighttime view Acropolis

Day 24 (6/4/14) - Athens: Return of the Tanti's

So our Naxos odyssey came to an end, and what a great time we had there. Was now time to get on a ferry and make our way to the port of Pireaus, Athens. Sofia and daughter Anna met us at the hotel in the morning and drove us to the harbour. After our goodbyes, we set off on a 5.5 hour ferry journey (boring). We played UNO, did some reading, sat on the deck, and fell asleep in the sun. Really, not much more to say other than the day day so far uneventful.

We landed in Athens and boarded a train, along with every other tourist with a suitcase and made our to Psiri on the fringe of the Plaka. We were back in Athens baby, and after a couple of weeks on the islands, what an assault to the senses. The noise, the people, the dirt and graffiti...and bad weather!

Acropolis view from our hotel window

Very arty darlings

At the HotelAttalos

We checked in, dropped our bags and headed out sans umbrella, very dumb, for a recce of the area, to see what had changed, not much as it turned out. We covered some familiar territory, had a gyros platter for dinner, and visited a bar for a while. As usual, the bars, cafes and restaurants were doing a roaring trade on Sunday night, even in the downpour.

We called an early night at about 8pm as we were quite tired, early start, ferry trip, etc. Oh, and we are pretty relaxed, there is something to be said for this holiday caper!

The first shower we actually fit in with room to move

A Plaka bar, enjoying a red

First rain during our trip

Our odyssey is in its final days but we are not going quietly. There is some more exploring to be done, awesome food to be eaten and ouzo to be drunk. So standby Athens....we're back!

Day 23 (5/4/14) - Naxos Last Day

Our last day in Naxos noooooooo........ so we decide to visit our fave little deli for a selection of lunch goodness to have on the beach. Yes , have we mentioned the amazing beach here. So wait, this will be the beach 50m from our studio which is divine. Clear waters and clean sand. Slight breeze today but who cares we're the tourists and we can.

Where do we start ?? Yumminess everywhere

So back to lunch. Naxos shines with its' famous Graveria cheese so 1 x slab of that, black and green olives , spicy cheese dip, homemade sunflower seed rusks, sesame seed ring bread and a small bottle of vino thanks.

We slipped in a few goodies to bring home too.

QOP ... and more 

Deli delights for lunch on the beach

Maturing cheese ......... ready 

Well what about  cheese marinated in wine or honey?

Ouzo Bar hopping - the 1st 

Bar hopping in the Old Town of Naxos is like weaving through a hobbits home. During the day the white washed walls enlarge the space but at night they are head banging alleys for tall Tanti's filled with music, handmade craft shops, smoke and groovy bars. 

STOP...selfie time !

Hoorah for our last night. Even Sofia joined in to show us some of her favourites.

Our lovely host Sofia joining the bar thang

Beaming Beauties