I have survived and I am now in Paris... typing on a French keyboard... you thought the work ones are a pain... dont ask me for une apostrophe! No idea where they are and they are used SO much in French!!
Anyways... Paris is awesome as always! This morning I visited Notre Dame and then walked along the Seine. I did some shopping and actually found skinny jeans for a 2 year old! and a cute hat for me. I toured the Opera Garnier... well, if I cant see an opera while Im here at least I can visit the opera house.
I leave tomorrow for the long trek home... I wish I could stay.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
For the Second Time on this Trip... We Packed and Left a Hotel in 30 minutes
We started the day checking with SAS (Anna's airline) and everything was fine and on schedule tomorrow.
We then left for the Acropolis museum which was very neat! Build on top of a Christian settlement, they have incorporated see-through floors so you can see the settlement while visiting the museum.
The museum was short and sweet, and it was very neat to see all the art taken from the Parthenon. Although the ongoing dispute about the art Lord Elgin took (and now is in the British museum) is very evident.
We then headed back to the Hadrian's Library.... Oh, great story I forgot to tell yesterday. So coming back to Athens, at the airport, after we had collected our bags, we headed for the metro. On the way, Anna notices someone looking at us and she sort of smiled. The women approached us and asked us if we were staying in Athens. We said yes... Thinking, arg... Is this a hotel or taxi trying to drum up business but, no, get this, they had purchased the €12 tickets to all the Greek monuments and she wanted to know of we wanted her tickets which included (no kidding!) tickets to the Acropolis, and basically EVERYTHING we wanted to see. So we toured around and saw the sights for nothing! crazy, no?!
I purchased a print just outside Hadrian's library and we were close to the hotel so I thought we would head back so I could pack my print and check to see if they moved my flight any further ahead (they moved it 2 hours earlier yesterday morning.) Anna was checking her flight and it was all green lights and then on a whim she refreshed and it came up cancelled!
Anna the called the airline... After a bit of discussion she was able to get on an afternoon flight today to Crete and then to Copenhagen... Getting in and some crazy hour in the morning after train from Copenhagen to Århus.
Seeing as we were both leaving this this afternoon, we figured it would be worth a try to speak with the hotel about checking out early and not paying for the last night. The hotel agreed so long as we were out for noon. Checking our watches we had 30 minutes to pack all our stuff and leave again! Seriously! How on earth does this happen twice during one vacation!
After packing and checking out the hotel, the hotel agreed to hold our luggage in the basement... Heading to the basement, Anna gets a call from the airline... Could she make a 13:55 flight that gets her right to Århus?! If we ditch the metro and hop in a cab we just might make it. We literally flag down a cab NYC style and head out to the airport... Anna checked in with 15 minutes to spare and was right off to security.
I've checked in and am now waiting for in the airport for my flight. Seriously... I'm ready!
We then left for the Acropolis museum which was very neat! Build on top of a Christian settlement, they have incorporated see-through floors so you can see the settlement while visiting the museum.
The museum was short and sweet, and it was very neat to see all the art taken from the Parthenon. Although the ongoing dispute about the art Lord Elgin took (and now is in the British museum) is very evident.
We then headed back to the Hadrian's Library.... Oh, great story I forgot to tell yesterday. So coming back to Athens, at the airport, after we had collected our bags, we headed for the metro. On the way, Anna notices someone looking at us and she sort of smiled. The women approached us and asked us if we were staying in Athens. We said yes... Thinking, arg... Is this a hotel or taxi trying to drum up business but, no, get this, they had purchased the €12 tickets to all the Greek monuments and she wanted to know of we wanted her tickets which included (no kidding!) tickets to the Acropolis, and basically EVERYTHING we wanted to see. So we toured around and saw the sights for nothing! crazy, no?!
I purchased a print just outside Hadrian's library and we were close to the hotel so I thought we would head back so I could pack my print and check to see if they moved my flight any further ahead (they moved it 2 hours earlier yesterday morning.) Anna was checking her flight and it was all green lights and then on a whim she refreshed and it came up cancelled!
Anna the called the airline... After a bit of discussion she was able to get on an afternoon flight today to Crete and then to Copenhagen... Getting in and some crazy hour in the morning after train from Copenhagen to Århus.
Seeing as we were both leaving this this afternoon, we figured it would be worth a try to speak with the hotel about checking out early and not paying for the last night. The hotel agreed so long as we were out for noon. Checking our watches we had 30 minutes to pack all our stuff and leave again! Seriously! How on earth does this happen twice during one vacation!
After packing and checking out the hotel, the hotel agreed to hold our luggage in the basement... Heading to the basement, Anna gets a call from the airline... Could she make a 13:55 flight that gets her right to Århus?! If we ditch the metro and hop in a cab we just might make it. We literally flag down a cab NYC style and head out to the airport... Anna checked in with 15 minutes to spare and was right off to security.
I've checked in and am now waiting for in the airport for my flight. Seriously... I'm ready!
Monday, October 3, 2011
I've died and Gone to Shoe Heaven!
I can't believe we started the day in Santorini! George (the owner's son) drove us to the airport and the flight was only an hour! It's amazing that it probably took us longer to take the subway from the airport to Athens than to take the plane from Santorini to Athens!
Because I'm heading back to Paris tomorrow (and sadly, my 6:30 flight was moved to 4:20!) we headed right to the Acropolis. It was so amazing to see it up close even if it was being renovated (although I think it's always under renovations.)
We then wandered around heading to the National Art Museum... We never made it there but I saw some of the most amazing shoes I've ever see in my life. If fell in LOVE with this pair that look like werewolf shoes! I can't believe I left them in the store! I might just go back tomorrow!
We then found ourselves at the main government building (oops, luckily no protests!) and the most interesting metro station where they display all the archeological items they found while building the metro system.
We then headed back down the road of chocolate stores... Making a few purchases along the way :)
We had a light dinner at one of the many tourist places (I can't believe it only cost €10!)
Early night tonight because I want to see the Acropolis museum before I leave for the airport.
Fingers crossed I get out of Athens tomorrow... And keep 'em crossed for Anna!
Because I'm heading back to Paris tomorrow (and sadly, my 6:30 flight was moved to 4:20!) we headed right to the Acropolis. It was so amazing to see it up close even if it was being renovated (although I think it's always under renovations.)
We then wandered around heading to the National Art Museum... We never made it there but I saw some of the most amazing shoes I've ever see in my life. If fell in LOVE with this pair that look like werewolf shoes! I can't believe I left them in the store! I might just go back tomorrow!
We then found ourselves at the main government building (oops, luckily no protests!) and the most interesting metro station where they display all the archeological items they found while building the metro system.
We then headed back down the road of chocolate stores... Making a few purchases along the way :)
We had a light dinner at one of the many tourist places (I can't believe it only cost €10!)
Early night tonight because I want to see the Acropolis museum before I leave for the airport.
Fingers crossed I get out of Athens tomorrow... And keep 'em crossed for Anna!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Wine Day!
In a crazy turn of events there was a cancellation for the wine tour I really wanted to go on, so I snapped up the opportunity to go!
We visited three wineries and the tour guide is a sommelier, I couldn't ask for more, you could tell that he was very passionate about wine! There are 8 wineries on the island of Santorini and it seems that every square inch of Santorini is covered with wine plants from family vines to "make your own" wine to the large estate wineries. With the tour we visited three wineries.
The first winery I visited was the Gavalas Winery. We were able to see the machines and barrels at this winery. It is also the only winery that makes Vinsanto the old-fashion way... Yup they stomp the grapes with their feet! Vinsanto is a very sweet wine... The leave the grapes out for 12 to 14 days (6 to 7 days if they are making Vinsanto Mezzo) so they start to look like raisins and then they press them.
On the way to the next winery we stopped to see the vines up close. The basket Wine growing strategy was very interesting... Plus I got my photo taken with a wine :)
We the went to Estate Argyros which was my favourite winery (and I suspect our guides favourite too) and we tried several wines. I really enjoyed the Ktima Argyros Assyrtiko so I bought a bottle. Sadly, I didn't like the award winning wine (apparently one of the top 24 wines in the world in it's category.)
We then went to Domaine Sigalas, we tried only three wines, another Assyrtiko (which I liked and bought a bottle.) I was very surprised on how good the red wine was but I soon learned that they imported the grapes from mainland Greece. While the wine were very good, I felt a bit like I was cheating on the Santorini grapes.
Anna wasn't up for the wine tour so she spent the day at the black beach. Another beautiful day in Santorini!
We met up late afternoon and we had an awesome dinner at the place we went last night. We had some old favourites like the white eggplant with tomatoes and cheese, fava dip and Greek salad but we also tried spicy feta dip and meatballs.
Early night tonight and tomorrow we leave for Athens (hopefully we can leave no problem!) where we will try to see the Acropolis early because I'm all set to leave the following day!
We visited three wineries and the tour guide is a sommelier, I couldn't ask for more, you could tell that he was very passionate about wine! There are 8 wineries on the island of Santorini and it seems that every square inch of Santorini is covered with wine plants from family vines to "make your own" wine to the large estate wineries. With the tour we visited three wineries.
The first winery I visited was the Gavalas Winery. We were able to see the machines and barrels at this winery. It is also the only winery that makes Vinsanto the old-fashion way... Yup they stomp the grapes with their feet! Vinsanto is a very sweet wine... The leave the grapes out for 12 to 14 days (6 to 7 days if they are making Vinsanto Mezzo) so they start to look like raisins and then they press them.
On the way to the next winery we stopped to see the vines up close. The basket Wine growing strategy was very interesting... Plus I got my photo taken with a wine :)
We the went to Estate Argyros which was my favourite winery (and I suspect our guides favourite too) and we tried several wines. I really enjoyed the Ktima Argyros Assyrtiko so I bought a bottle. Sadly, I didn't like the award winning wine (apparently one of the top 24 wines in the world in it's category.)
We then went to Domaine Sigalas, we tried only three wines, another Assyrtiko (which I liked and bought a bottle.) I was very surprised on how good the red wine was but I soon learned that they imported the grapes from mainland Greece. While the wine were very good, I felt a bit like I was cheating on the Santorini grapes.
Anna wasn't up for the wine tour so she spent the day at the black beach. Another beautiful day in Santorini!
We met up late afternoon and we had an awesome dinner at the place we went last night. We had some old favourites like the white eggplant with tomatoes and cheese, fava dip and Greek salad but we also tried spicy feta dip and meatballs.
Early night tonight and tomorrow we leave for Athens (hopefully we can leave no problem!) where we will try to see the Acropolis early because I'm all set to leave the following day!
Couple of Beach Bums
Yesterday was another beach day!
We decided to head out to the red and white beached on the south part of the island. We took the city bus which took about an half hour and when we arrived we were surprised to find no beaches, just restaurants. We had lunch the day before on the beach so we were looking for the same thing again. But we saw the guy giving boat rides to the red and white beach. We asked if there was food on the beach and he said "yes, of course" so we climbed aboard and paid €5 each. We took the ferry to the red beach and saw the walking path to the beach. Seeing the path, we figured we should go to the white beach (the beach you have to take a boat to). We got some amazing shots of the rock formations and how they turn from brown to red to white. It was very beautiful.
Because of the waves, the access to the white beach required that we swim to shore. Both Anna and I were hungry and oh... I forgot to mention that "of course" there were no places to eat on the beaches! So deciding we got some great picks of the white beach to just take the ferry back to the port where we started to have lunch. Not bad for a €5 tour. We got some fantastic pics.
We then had the €25 lunch which was Greek salad, tzatziki, and fresh fish grilled on the outdoor charcoal grill. It was very tasty! We then trekked over the rock formations to the red beach. The water was much calmer than the black beach and was truly great swimming. I had another one of those moments where I realize all over again that I am so lucky and my life is truly awesome!
Coming back from the beach we showered and set off to find a restaurant. We went back to the first place we visited and the lineup was out the door and down the stairs. So we wandered around trying to find someplace else... Not wanting to eat in a place not busy. We found this great place near the caldera and we had Mezes (small plates) of awesome Greek food. I think I fell in love again with Greek food! We had eggplant and tomatoes and cheese, barley rusks salad, fava beans puree (think hummus but with fava beans), and I had Greek sausage. It was all super amazing! Oh, I forgot we also had my favourite Greek dessert, Greek yogurt with honey and nuts. We topped it all off with ouzo! OPA!
We then headed out to the clubs for a night of dancing as last night was the closing night for most of the clubs.
We decided to head out to the red and white beached on the south part of the island. We took the city bus which took about an half hour and when we arrived we were surprised to find no beaches, just restaurants. We had lunch the day before on the beach so we were looking for the same thing again. But we saw the guy giving boat rides to the red and white beach. We asked if there was food on the beach and he said "yes, of course" so we climbed aboard and paid €5 each. We took the ferry to the red beach and saw the walking path to the beach. Seeing the path, we figured we should go to the white beach (the beach you have to take a boat to). We got some amazing shots of the rock formations and how they turn from brown to red to white. It was very beautiful.
Because of the waves, the access to the white beach required that we swim to shore. Both Anna and I were hungry and oh... I forgot to mention that "of course" there were no places to eat on the beaches! So deciding we got some great picks of the white beach to just take the ferry back to the port where we started to have lunch. Not bad for a €5 tour. We got some fantastic pics.
We then had the €25 lunch which was Greek salad, tzatziki, and fresh fish grilled on the outdoor charcoal grill. It was very tasty! We then trekked over the rock formations to the red beach. The water was much calmer than the black beach and was truly great swimming. I had another one of those moments where I realize all over again that I am so lucky and my life is truly awesome!
Coming back from the beach we showered and set off to find a restaurant. We went back to the first place we visited and the lineup was out the door and down the stairs. So we wandered around trying to find someplace else... Not wanting to eat in a place not busy. We found this great place near the caldera and we had Mezes (small plates) of awesome Greek food. I think I fell in love again with Greek food! We had eggplant and tomatoes and cheese, barley rusks salad, fava beans puree (think hummus but with fava beans), and I had Greek sausage. It was all super amazing! Oh, I forgot we also had my favourite Greek dessert, Greek yogurt with honey and nuts. We topped it all off with ouzo! OPA!
We then headed out to the clubs for a night of dancing as last night was the closing night for most of the clubs.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Stupid Strike! Let's party like it's 1999!
Yesterday was a great day!
We started out early and headed to the black beach... All lava rock beach. It is very windy there so the waves were crashing! Anna and I both went in for a bit but it was not relaxing swimming weather. We reserved the beach chairs, ate spinach and cheese pies and watermelon, and basked in the awesome Greece sun!
We started back around 2pm and stopped at the wine museum which was kinda creepy at times with the mannequins that move demonstrating the ways wine was made when the winery was first opened but the wine tasting at the end was very fun. Both Anna and I like the dessert wines (which is unusual for me because I don't normally like dessert wine.)
We made it back to the hotel in time for us to book the bus to Ia to see the sunset... Imagine hundreds of tourists converging on the the small town to see the sunset. The sunset was beautiful and the town of Ia was even more gorgeous! Pics to come...
After we made it back to Fira, we then headed out to dinner with a view. I was a bit down as we had just heard they moved the general strike to the day we are leaving Athens (October 5th) and we could be both stuck. I was also done with Greek food (sad, but it was my way of general striking!). So I had spaghetti, yes, I've said it, I has spaghetti... And it was good! Anna had dolmades and Greek salad. Both, she reports, were very good!
On the way back to the hotel, we found the club that our hotel recommended... With 2 for 1 drinks and awesome music we stopped in... And we stayed! It was awesome! I haven't had crazy clubbin' fun in years! Whoo-hoo!
This morning, Anna and I have been working on alternative flights... I have been able to book a flight to Paris on October 4th. I'm working on extending my hotel booking in Paris but so far it looks good that I will be getting out early (sad, to leave Greece but I'm happy to be getting out early.) I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I do not want to miss my connecting Paris-Montreal flight!
Anna's airline advised her to wait... And Anna has her work with her so she doesn't mine being stuck on Athens a bit longer.
We started out early and headed to the black beach... All lava rock beach. It is very windy there so the waves were crashing! Anna and I both went in for a bit but it was not relaxing swimming weather. We reserved the beach chairs, ate spinach and cheese pies and watermelon, and basked in the awesome Greece sun!
We started back around 2pm and stopped at the wine museum which was kinda creepy at times with the mannequins that move demonstrating the ways wine was made when the winery was first opened but the wine tasting at the end was very fun. Both Anna and I like the dessert wines (which is unusual for me because I don't normally like dessert wine.)
We made it back to the hotel in time for us to book the bus to Ia to see the sunset... Imagine hundreds of tourists converging on the the small town to see the sunset. The sunset was beautiful and the town of Ia was even more gorgeous! Pics to come...
After we made it back to Fira, we then headed out to dinner with a view. I was a bit down as we had just heard they moved the general strike to the day we are leaving Athens (October 5th) and we could be both stuck. I was also done with Greek food (sad, but it was my way of general striking!). So I had spaghetti, yes, I've said it, I has spaghetti... And it was good! Anna had dolmades and Greek salad. Both, she reports, were very good!
On the way back to the hotel, we found the club that our hotel recommended... With 2 for 1 drinks and awesome music we stopped in... And we stayed! It was awesome! I haven't had crazy clubbin' fun in years! Whoo-hoo!
This morning, Anna and I have been working on alternative flights... I have been able to book a flight to Paris on October 4th. I'm working on extending my hotel booking in Paris but so far it looks good that I will be getting out early (sad, to leave Greece but I'm happy to be getting out early.) I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I do not want to miss my connecting Paris-Montreal flight!
Anna's airline advised her to wait... And Anna has her work with her so she doesn't mine being stuck on Athens a bit longer.
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