All aboard the Crown Princess!
We made it to the port in Piraeus just outside of Athens. We had the nicest can driver ever.
I have to mention all the people who were worried about the conditions in Greece: there was absolutely nothing going on in the city of Athens. It was the most pleasant trip. The people were wonderful.
We boarded the Crown Princess around 1:30 and spent the next 3 hours trying to find our way around. We are at the very very last suite in the back. It's actually kind of fun because you can see both sides of the ship. It seems to rock a bit more, but we haven't gotten sea sick!
We had a great time checking out all the places that we could get free food! There is an endless supply. After seeing all that is available, I quickly checked out the location of the fitness room! Lol! I sent mom for a mani/pedi including hot stones and extra massaging! While she was doing that I hit the treadmill. It was pretty nice until I realized that the ship was listing and I kept hitting the sides of the treadmill. I had to hold on to keep from falling off.
At mom's request we checked out the casino. After 20 minutes, she was up $5. Time to leave. I'll let her go in small increments so that she thinks she is winning!
I can't seem to figure out how to add pics to this blog. The menu bar must have changed. If anyone knows how please leave me a little note.
Tomorrow is Mykonos.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Day 2: No rest for the weary!
The 10 hour plane trip was no small task! I was never able to fall asleep, so I read a whole book instead. The movie the airline showed wasn't much help because the sound quality was so poor. I went to check on mom in first class and she was just on her second course of her four course meal!
We arrived at 2:30 our time and 9:30 their time. Needless to say...we never got to catch a quick nap. We weren't allowed to get into our room until 1 pm! So, we headed straight to the streets. The Temple of Zeus was directly across the street from our hotel: Athens Gate. The hotel is fairly nice but the rooms are pretty small.
Around the block from the hotel we hit the Plaka. It's a large area of streets that you can walk and hit shops, restaurants, bakeries and yes...even a Starbucks! We headed up the cobblestone street and ran right into the Akropolis. This is really a site. It was quite a trek to the top with all the stone and uneven ground, but mom made it! You could walk around the area of the Akropolis for quite a while before you could take in everything. There were info boards stationed around the area, so it was nice to get a little of the history familiarized in my mind again. After making our way back down, we found a nice little place to get a drink and a small sandwich.
As we were walking back around the Plaka we saw the 'Happy Train'. It looks like a ride in the kiddie section of Carowinds. It takes you around the outskirts of the Plaka and you get to get a quick look at
The Monument of the Unknown Soldier. They have guards outside they are similar to the Palace guards in England. They don't smile, move or anything. The best part is that part of their uniform includes a huge Pom-Pom on the top of the toe of their shoe! The train also takes you around the Olympic Stadium that was built in 2004, the Ancient Roman Market, the Hellenic Parliment, and Constitution Square. It was really pretty fun for 6€ each. You can get on and off all day also.
We found that all the people were as nice as could be. Even when they were trying to get you to buy something...if you didn't, they were just as friendly. The food isn't as bad as I was told it would be. It was good...just not great.
Leave to get on the boat at 12:00 tomorrow. It leaves port around 5:30. See you then!!
We arrived at 2:30 our time and 9:30 their time. Needless to say...we never got to catch a quick nap. We weren't allowed to get into our room until 1 pm! So, we headed straight to the streets. The Temple of Zeus was directly across the street from our hotel: Athens Gate. The hotel is fairly nice but the rooms are pretty small.
Around the block from the hotel we hit the Plaka. It's a large area of streets that you can walk and hit shops, restaurants, bakeries and yes...even a Starbucks! We headed up the cobblestone street and ran right into the Akropolis. This is really a site. It was quite a trek to the top with all the stone and uneven ground, but mom made it! You could walk around the area of the Akropolis for quite a while before you could take in everything. There were info boards stationed around the area, so it was nice to get a little of the history familiarized in my mind again. After making our way back down, we found a nice little place to get a drink and a small sandwich.
As we were walking back around the Plaka we saw the 'Happy Train'. It looks like a ride in the kiddie section of Carowinds. It takes you around the outskirts of the Plaka and you get to get a quick look at
The Monument of the Unknown Soldier. They have guards outside they are similar to the Palace guards in England. They don't smile, move or anything. The best part is that part of their uniform includes a huge Pom-Pom on the top of the toe of their shoe! The train also takes you around the Olympic Stadium that was built in 2004, the Ancient Roman Market, the Hellenic Parliment, and Constitution Square. It was really pretty fun for 6€ each. You can get on and off all day also.
We found that all the people were as nice as could be. Even when they were trying to get you to buy something...if you didn't, they were just as friendly. The food isn't as bad as I was told it would be. It was good...just not great.
Leave to get on the boat at 12:00 tomorrow. It leaves port around 5:30. See you then!!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Charlotte Airport.
Well, we made it to the airport and we haven't gotten lost yet! We are still talking to each other...so hooray for small miracles.
We are getting a quick bite to eat at Chili's and then we are off to our gate. Mom is so excited that she can hardly stand it. She has never flown first class so she is in for a treat! I hope she doesn't drink all the free cocktails they offer her! I will be back in the back in the cheap seats sipping on tap water!
Stayed tuned for the next part of our Greek adventure on the high seas!
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