Fly to Athens and then to Piraeus
9th August 2018
It is time to leave the hazy, very hot days of Abu Dhabi to enjoy a more moderate, but still hot, climate in Greece.
Abu Dhabi is still developing at a great rate and in many ways resembles a huge construction site. New islands are being accessed by new bridges and endless apartment buildings are under construction many now targeting foreign buyers, as freehold title is available on some of the new islands. Food and beverage options for tourists are outrageously expensive, yet access to tourist attractions is sometimes free or modestly priced eg the Louvre entry fee is only USD 20. We are glad we stopped over but are unlikely to return.
Our flight leaves at 9.30am, so departure from the hotel to the airport is scheduled for 6.15am. This time our airport transfer is sorted out and the vehicle is waiting for us when we check out. It seems the stuff up on arrival was due to Qantas Travel requesting a correction to the original booking as the car they had confirmed would not have held the 4 of us plus luggage. The Abu Dhabi end seems to have managed to cancel the original vehicle, but not rebook a larger one as requested.
Check in, immigration and security checks take no time, as it is actually quite a small airport, and soon we find ourselves inside with plenty of time to have a light breakfast before boarding. We manage to scrape together enough Dirhams between us to get what we needed.
Our plane is a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, very comfortable with more leg room and more comfortable seats than the Airbus A380. It is also very quiet by comparison.
Arriving at Athens airport slightly ahead of time, we are met by our organised transport to take us to our hotel in Piraeus, which is very close to where our ship will depart from tomorrow.
Hotel Phideas was booked over the net purely based on its location and reviews from travellers. It turns out to be a real find. It is a small, family run hotel, only 5 minutes walk to the waterfront of Marina Zea, where we will board the M/S Galileo for our cruise of the Cyclades Islands.
The receptionist is fantastic, giving us a detailed rundown on everything we need to know about the area, where to eat without getting ripped off, tourist attractions in the area and a bit of a history lesson thrown in. There is no need for credit cards to be scanned etc, it is all very casual and we will sort it out on checkout. They offer a free shuttle service to our ship after checkout, so we make a booking for 1.30pm to book the mini bus and head off to our rooms. They are very clean and comfortable.
Once settled in, it is now around 3pm, the outside temperature has crept up to 32 C, but there is a nice sea breeze blowing. It is time to explore our surroundings, so we walk down to the marina, which is actually the ancient port, a large circular harbour with a narrow entrance. The main shipping port is located on the other side of the peninsula.
After a brief walk around we headed to a nearby supermarket / department store which also has an upstairs restaurant which we are told is the best place to go for breakfast. A look around a supermarket is always a good way to get a quick fix on local food costs and range. Of course there are heaps of products we don't recognise, but prices look reasonable. Mind you, anything looks reasonable compared to Abu Dhabi !
We had been told that the eastern side of the marina had the best selection of reasonably priced bars and restaurants, so we headed off around the shoreline and by 5pm found a nice bar with seating along the waterfront where we stopped for a rest and some refreshments.
Once rehydrated, we followed the shoreline around towards the entrance which , we have been told, is where the Galileo's berth is located.
As we approached the area we were right on time to see the Galileo tying up to there berth, obviously just returning from a cruise in readiness to take us on board from 2pm tomorrow.
It is around 6.30pm, and the locals are out enjoy fishing and cooling off swimming at the local beaches.
Our next priority is dinner, as it has been a long day, and lunch was served on the plane at around 11am local time, so it has been at least 7 hours since we have had a meal. Our receptionist had recommended a seafood restaurant, Ta Katsarolakia, not far from the bar where we had our drinks. What a great recommendation ! We had beautiful fresh seafood and a couple salads at a reasonable price.
With full stomachs we decided to walk off dinner and explore the western side of the harbour. It is now around 9.30pm, and the streets are alive with people, just settling in for their pre dinner drinks, or just sitting around socialising enjoying the cooler night temperature.
A few fishing boats are cleaning up after having returned with their catch ( the are heaps of quite small trawlers lining the shorefront).
The western side of the harbour is an absolute contrast to the eastern side. The shoreline is lined with superyachts and very expensive looking restaurants, that seemed to be well supported by tourists. The eastern side appears to cater more for locals, and tourists of modest means.
Back at the hotel by 10.30pm, we are all tired and look forward to an exciting day tomorrow when we join our first cruise. I am not sure what internet connectivity will be like for the next days, but will post the blog when I can, otherwise there will be a lot of reading to do from 17th August.
It is time to leave the hazy, very hot days of Abu Dhabi to enjoy a more moderate, but still hot, climate in Greece.
Abu Dhabi is still developing at a great rate and in many ways resembles a huge construction site. New islands are being accessed by new bridges and endless apartment buildings are under construction many now targeting foreign buyers, as freehold title is available on some of the new islands. Food and beverage options for tourists are outrageously expensive, yet access to tourist attractions is sometimes free or modestly priced eg the Louvre entry fee is only USD 20. We are glad we stopped over but are unlikely to return.
Our flight leaves at 9.30am, so departure from the hotel to the airport is scheduled for 6.15am. This time our airport transfer is sorted out and the vehicle is waiting for us when we check out. It seems the stuff up on arrival was due to Qantas Travel requesting a correction to the original booking as the car they had confirmed would not have held the 4 of us plus luggage. The Abu Dhabi end seems to have managed to cancel the original vehicle, but not rebook a larger one as requested.
Check in, immigration and security checks take no time, as it is actually quite a small airport, and soon we find ourselves inside with plenty of time to have a light breakfast before boarding. We manage to scrape together enough Dirhams between us to get what we needed.
Our plane is a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, very comfortable with more leg room and more comfortable seats than the Airbus A380. It is also very quiet by comparison.
Arriving at Athens airport slightly ahead of time, we are met by our organised transport to take us to our hotel in Piraeus, which is very close to where our ship will depart from tomorrow.
Hotel Phideas was booked over the net purely based on its location and reviews from travellers. It turns out to be a real find. It is a small, family run hotel, only 5 minutes walk to the waterfront of Marina Zea, where we will board the M/S Galileo for our cruise of the Cyclades Islands.
Hotel Phideas (not much to look out from the outside)
Reception area (but quite modern inside)
Once settled in, it is now around 3pm, the outside temperature has crept up to 32 C, but there is a nice sea breeze blowing. It is time to explore our surroundings, so we walk down to the marina, which is actually the ancient port, a large circular harbour with a narrow entrance. The main shipping port is located on the other side of the peninsula.
Marina Zea
Clocktower (opposite the supermarket)
Taking on the local traffic
We had been told that the eastern side of the marina had the best selection of reasonably priced bars and restaurants, so we headed off around the shoreline and by 5pm found a nice bar with seating along the waterfront where we stopped for a rest and some refreshments.
Restaurants line the eastern shore
Once rehydrated, we followed the shoreline around towards the entrance which , we have been told, is where the Galileo's berth is located.
Rehydrating at the Amsterdam bar
As we approached the area we were right on time to see the Galileo tying up to there berth, obviously just returning from a cruise in readiness to take us on board from 2pm tomorrow.
M/S Galileo
It is around 6.30pm, and the locals are out enjoy fishing and cooling off swimming at the local beaches.
Local enjoying a swim
Stunning scenery
Our next priority is dinner, as it has been a long day, and lunch was served on the plane at around 11am local time, so it has been at least 7 hours since we have had a meal. Our receptionist had recommended a seafood restaurant, Ta Katsarolakia, not far from the bar where we had our drinks. What a great recommendation ! We had beautiful fresh seafood and a couple salads at a reasonable price.
Sharon and John couldn't resist the prawns
My squid was great
As was Carole's grilled salmon
Washed down with a glass of local wine
A few fishing boats are cleaning up after having returned with their catch ( the are heaps of quite small trawlers lining the shorefront).
The marina at night
The western side of the harbour is an absolute contrast to the eastern side. The shoreline is lined with superyachts and very expensive looking restaurants, that seemed to be well supported by tourists. The eastern side appears to cater more for locals, and tourists of modest means.
Back at the hotel by 10.30pm, we are all tired and look forward to an exciting day tomorrow when we join our first cruise. I am not sure what internet connectivity will be like for the next days, but will post the blog when I can, otherwise there will be a lot of reading to do from 17th August.
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