November 2 - Kalimera from Athens!

I made it to Athens last night (November 1) after what seemed to be an interminable day.  My flights were good with no delays or turbulence, but as per usual I didn't sleep crossing the Atlantic so I was bushed by the time I got here.  I'm not ashamed to say that I always ask for wheelchair assistance and believe me, in most of the international airports it's a must if you're tired and laden with carryons.  I'd been through Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport  years ago and it was even bigger than I remembered it.  If I had tried to walk from my landing gate to the Lounge and then to my departing gate I would have been exhausted.  As it was the walking I did brought me up to three miles.

Anyway, I met a very nice man from Manchester, England who was on my flight and going on my ship.  We were seat mates and had a nice conversation on the flight from Amsterdam to Athens.  I had a driver from Blacklane (if you ever need a car service I highly recommend them) whose name was Demitrious and he was a delightful young man.  On our drive into the city we had an interesting talk about Greek education and economy.  From that conversation I gathered that Greece shares many of the same problems we do.  Once again I have to say that talking to people from other places is my favorite part of traveling.

Once at my hotel, the Grande Bretagne, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they upgraded me to a suite.  It's much more room than I need for one night, but I'll take it!  Here are a couple of photos.  I'm already feeling pampered and spoiled - I have a butler!

I had reservations for dinner at 8PM at the rooftop restaurant where Al and I had eaten years ago and even though I was very tired, I had to go because the view is spectacular.  For the first time in years the scaffolding which has been around the buildings on the Acropolis is gone so you can see them as they really are without scaffolds and tarps.  It is breathtakingly beautiful!  Dinner was a lovely Greek salad (what else?) and some grilled fish.  There was a couple from Vero Beach, Florida at the table next to me and we had a nice conversation.  They're going on a Celebrity cruise from Athens on the day after mine.

I had a good night's sleep and woke up early - unusual for me - and went up to the same restaurant for the breakfast buffet.  It was all delicious!  Why is it that over here in Europe they have much better bread and crusty rolls than we have in my area?  Once again I had to step outside and take daylight photos of the Acropolis and the Parliament building on the other side of the square the hotel is on.  In a little while the car will come to take me to the ship so I'll close for now.  Next time I write I'll be on the Encore.

The Parliament Building next to my hotel