Demons: Apologies if you think this is going to be an action packed, Dan Brown-style adventure. Well, it nearly was…but not quite. Our day of landing in Athens went without a hitch (well, in the usual Greek style) until we alighted the subway at Monastiraki. With hands full, we waited for most other passengers to take the steep elevator up to the Square above. As the Cap’n moved on, he was instantly surrounded by 3 young men. Having his wits about him, he turned with this back (and back pack) to the wall and made a point of glaring at these men. The First Mate, now separated from the Cap’n and surrounded by two young women, was pushed by one into the side of the escalator. The tell-tale bag over her hand was a give- away, and GS smartly moved a step or two down, trying not to trip over her suitcase. The crowd, and our pick-pocketing gang, disappeared like a flash at the top. We quickly assessed any damages. The Cap’n made it without any interference or loss, and although GS’s handbag had been unzipped, that section contained only flight socks, tissues and reading glasses….not the stuff of criminal dreams – thankfully! Still, in all our time travelling we had only encountered one other pick-pocket (Marrakech, Morocco), and certainly not a brazen gang. We felt rather shattered and made for the hotel roof-top bar (with that amazing view of the Acropolis) to drown our sorrows with a Mythos beer or two.
Angels: The first gold star goes to the camera lens that should have accompanied us last year! The second goes to our Hotel Manager for suggesting that we take a taxi to Kifissou Street Coach Station (rather than subway (not again!) and local bus). An even bigger gold star goes to our honest taxi driver who charged a reasonable & metered fare to get us there. We easily made the 12 noon bus to Preveza (a six hour & €40 ride) with a gold star driver who kindly let us off at the Aktio Marina road. We arrived in time for a yet another gold star welcome and dinner (plus necessary refreshing beers) at our favourite water-side taverna. The Other Woman welcomed us back and informs us she is rather keen to slip into something blue and refreshing for yet another season of adventures.
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| Corinth Canal - from on high. A road-side perspective |
(For those interested in travelling from Athens to Preveza by coach, the service is excellent, the coaches modern and rest stop near the Rion Andirion Bridge clean and well serviced. Coaches leave Athens for Preveza at the Kifissou Station, stand number 10, at 0730, 1200, 1330, 1700 & 2000. This timetable seems to be incredibly difficult to find. Buy your tickets, with allocated seat, at the inside ticket office; entrance near the taxi stand/local bus stop area.
From Athens (near the main markets), our taxi, including a decent tip, cost less than €10; but make sure the meter is running – no excuses & walk away from aggressive drivers. Otherwise, catch the subway to Omonia Square, walk down Konstantinou to Menandrou (on the left). The #51 bus going to Kifissou stops at the intersection of Menandrou & Zinono. Easy if you don’t have a lot of luggage to manage.)
So, now you have the essential traveller’s guide necessary to “experience” Athens…
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