Around Athens
We arrived at Monistiraki Square via the metro, and promptly had lunch in a very friendly taverna on the square. At least being 5 hours later than expected, we didn't have to leave our bags elsewhere, and could just check-in to our apartment. We had no hassles finding it or using the two codes to enter. It was all too easy until I discovered there was no running water. OMG.
Making enquiries with reception, we were told not to worry, it would be on in an hour. So we left to do a bit of grocery shopping, only to return and discover it was still unavailable. Ray phoned our host, who blamed the government, which really didn't solve the problem. As Ray was explaining our predicament, our host ungraciously hung up on him. Not impressed, I was madly searching for other accommodation, and sent Ray off to buy some water. On his return, he passed a plumber who was obviously working on the problem. After four hours, the water returned but my good humour about the host did not.
We managed to buy a nice bottle of white wine at the grocery store for €2.50, which is much cheaper than one glass of wine in a restaurant. So we drowned our sorrows in the waterless apartment and then celebrated when the water arrived around 7.30pm.
Turning our attention to our location and the morrow, we decided to do a bike tour around Athens and to the beach, as you do. Arriving at our departure point the next day, we discovered that we were the only people on the guided tour. Our host, Marios, was a delight. He had spent a couple of years in the US, studying to become an economist, but realised that was pretty pointless in a country like Greece (just kidding). Anyway, he is happy as a cycling guide, and we were happy to have him. We cycled down to the beach, but didn't swim as the sun had disappeared. Stopping on the way back at a pastry shop, we were engrossed in watching the staff make the pastries. What a skill, and what delicious pastries. The ride itself was easy easy with no hills to speak of, just a lot of people, cars and motorcycles to dodge. Although an actual bike path exists, it is ignored by all and sundry.
The next day we took a hop-on hop-off bus to see the sights, one of which was the unintentional sight of a guy having a pee in the bushes as we were stopped at traffic lights! We returned the following day to explore the Archeological Museum. Luckily we embarked early, and avoided the huge crowds from the cruise ships. It was an astonishing museum, but after 90 mins, when the crowds started to arrive, we were all museumed out.
We visited a restaurant recommended by the bike company. It is in the Plaka (where we are staying) and had the usual bouzouki player. We were seated next to a lone traveller, who turned out to be an interesting character from Minnesota. He had a tale of woe to tell. He had set out from England with his brother for a grand tour of the continent. However his brother caught Covid and returned early to the US. Whilst travelling on his own, he had a car accident, and when arriving in Greece was the victim of a pickpocket gang and lost his passport and some money. Not to be deterred, he was reading The Odyssey and was hoping not to wash up naked on any shores! We wished him well as he toddled off to some theatre production (we're not that cultured).
Tonight is our last night in Europe. So we fished off another €2.50 bottle of wine and are heading out for our last Greek meal for quite sometime. Singapore here we come.