I arrived in Athens yesterday morning, following tiring and delayed travel. The problems started when the pilot returned the plane to the departure gate to remove a woman from the plane who refused to exit the bathroom during takeoff, causing a cascade of weather and related delays that continued on into Greece. Severe turbulence made the journey uncomfortable, at times, though no cookie tossing occurred. Stressed, jet-lagged and tired, I relied on the promise of a close Greek friend to the effect that Greece would renew and refresh even the weekest of souls.
After a 35 minute ride from the airport to downtown Athens, I checked into the Hotel Grande Bretagne, a fine, old and well appointed Athenian hotel that started its life long ago as a palace.
Lobby of Hotel Grande Bretagne
The hotel has an unbelievable spa, with an elaborate pool, and all sorts of special areas to treat anything that hurts. Given my schedule I was not able to experience the spa but hope to do so on the days that I will spend in the same hotel at the end of the trip.
When I walked from the hotel to the city center the streets in the area of Syntagma were bustling with people, even though the temperature was well into the 90s . Given the heat, a person quickly learns the great value of shade in Greece. The local market was refreshing, filled mostly with local goods, rather than with crappy Chinese trinkets that are ruining so many other destinations.
I ate lunch at Ella (https:/www.ellarestaurant.gr/) and dinner at Athinaikon (https://athinaikon.gr ) both in downtown Athens. A real Greek salad, grilled tuna and grilled halloumi cheese, were filled with bursts of flavor confirmed this is a place to enjoy food.
My hotel room overlooks the Acropolis, with spectacular night illumination of one of the great cradles of civilization.
An early morning trip back to Athens Airport, to catch an ATR 52-600 to Leros, and then a ferry to Patmos.
To be continued…..
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