Day 43 - 7th June. Delphi-> Athens

Day 43 - 7th June. Delphi-> Athens

Wake up at 7.15am and on the road at 8.45am today.
We stopped soon after at a store which opens for Trafalgar tours. They sell lambskin gloves, jackets and long coats which were lovely. Then we drove round to a look out point – to see the true Delphi town of Arachuba- it is picture postcard perfect. Was standing outside the shop there waiting to re-board when a nasty little Greek wasp flew up and just stung me in the side- I hadn’t even touched him! Asked the TD if they had any anti-histamine in the first aid box, which they didn’t, so next thing I know the bus driver has borrowed a motorbike from the shop owner and is driving to the nearby chemist to buy some for me!! This is before I can say, no I will be ok- didn’t want to cause a fuss. Andreas returns and gives me some clear liquid to put on it and the welt and swelling was gone within an hour- good stuff!

Then we drove for 3 ½ hours on to Athens.
Meant to say the other day we saw something you never see at home. At the port of Patras when we came in on the ferry, the TD pointed out half a dozen young men who were scaling a 12 ft fence, in to the area we were in and bolting for the parked trucks there.
He said they are Iraqi’s fleeing from the troubles at home and trying to get to England. Apparently they pay the truck drivers who were bringing all their trucks across on the ferries – the Iraqis pay the drivers to stow them away in the back of their vehicles.

Problem is, a lot of the trucks have cool stores and stowaways have been known to freeze to death in them. Sad really, as they are just young people trying to find a safer country to live in and the greek government are turning a blind eye to it since they don’t want the problem either.

Arrived at our hotel, then went on a tour through the city and ended with a walking tour of the Acropolis. Not sure how old it is, but Graeme described it as “bloody old” !! The local guide told us that many of the artifacts from the site have been taken to the British Museum, where it is one of their most prized possessions. The Greek government has asked repeatedly for them to be returned but they will not. This see’s the sight fairly empty of all but its buildings and ruins.

The city of Athens is incredible and from the Acropolis you can see it spanning out everywhere and up towards the mountains – am amazing sea of white stone buildings.

There were lots of old gypsy women hawking the usual stuff outside the Acropolis which we don’t usually buy, but a couple had these beautiful thick throw rugs (or tablecloths) that they told us had hand sewn ends- this I doubt as they looked way too perfectly straight for this!! However, they were very nice and she tried to sell them for €40 each. Of course I said no, then she tried €30 – no, then she asked me what I wanted to pay. I said €10, so she came back very pained eventually with €20. Stuck to my guns and I now have a lovely throw for €10 !! Dad, you would have been proud!! Graeme said I’m better at it than him, so he just sits back and smiles!!

Later we returned and freshened up for the farewell optional tour at a traditional Greek restaurant. What a night of song and dance! It was great, with wonderful food and the costumed dancers were very energetic.
Danni ended up the most popular female there- she danced all night !! It was a really enjoyable evening of regional foods and music. We ended up losing 4 of the group on the way back to the bus, but somehow they turned up at the hotel before us?!!!