This morning was daylight savings time (it happens a week earlier in England) so it helped to get to sleep in an extra hour before catching our 8:55am flight. This RyanAir flight went much better than than the last one we took (to Dublin). There was just one incident where the (bitchy) flight attendant that took our tickets insisted that we couldn't use our car seat "per regulations". I argued for a bit saying that we just used it on a RyanAir flight two weeks ago but Chris whispered to me "ah, just let it go and we'll ask someone else on the plane." Which we did and sure enough, they let us use it. The kids did really well on the 3.5hr. Flight! We had two different people around us remark about how well-behaved our kids were and that they couldn't believe that Chris and I could sit there and read a book/magazine while they entertained themselves. We were actually pretty surprised about this too but counted our lucky stars and took advantage while we could. We felt like we had finally hit our stride traveling with the kids. We have it down to a science now, bringing exactly what we need--no more, no less... Two small checked bags. Our only carry-ons were my purse, a bag with snacks, camera, and reading material and Ethan's backpack had their "surprises" and one stuffed animal each. We told Ethan he had to carry it and "pull his weight". :) We gate-checked the baby carrier pack and Chris carried the car seat.
When we arrived, it was warm and sunny. We took a 45min. train into Athens (we had to run to catch it and get on and make sure it was the right one because trains pulled up on both sides at the same time). Oddly enough, the people I asked were from Seattle! We overheard them talking to a super friendly Greek guy later. Our hotel, Hotel Attalos, was just a few blocks from the Monastriki train station and a great location, right in the middle of it all. Easy walking distance to all the sites, close to the square and the Monastriki flea market and shops. I like to boast to Chris that "his travel agent did really well." :) There was this tiny little tap with clear liquid and little clear Dixie cups at reception which I assumed was water until I saw the sign stating that it was alcoholic. Must be ouzo. Such hospitality. :) And a candy dish. A Greek fellow gave Ethan a handful of candy and Ethan was still talking about it days later how nice that guy was and how he wanted to see him again. Candy is definitely the way to Ethan's heart. :)
Check out the view of the Acropolis from our room balcony!
View of Athens:
Relaxing in the warm sunshine:
Hailey making herself right at home in her new slippers:
Monastriki Square with the Acropolis behind:
Not sure if this is tea or what?
We stopped at the Souvlaki stand right by the train station (our Lonely Planet mentioned it as one of the best in town coincidentally) for dinner and had our first of many Gyros this trip. The total for food for four of us and a drink came to just €11. Nice! Must say--best gyro I've ever had, such great flavor!! We went back there again the next day as well. Afterwards we got dessert crepes. Here are the kids in awe of the yogurt bar (don't tell them that this isn't dessert). :) They have Ferrero Roche flavor for all sorts of desserts (like Nutella with the candy crushed up inside it) for crepes and desserts everywhere here. Which makes me think that Ferrero Roche candy must come from Greece?
The Acropolis all lit up at night:
Chris and I bought some ouzo and sweet wine and olives to have on the balcony after the kids went to bed:
Chris' ouzo face:
My ouzo face:
Yeah, not a huge fan of the ouzo. Kind of a black licorice flavor. One kind was definitely better than the other but neither was that easy to drink. And after awhile we couldn't remember which was which. The sweet wine wasn't our favorite either. But the olives, the olives were amazing!
No comments:
Post a Comment