You know what? I like breakfast. Sure, I like to eat fruit and peanut butter, eggs, turkey bacon, toast and garlic, but when I travel, I like to check out what breakfast is for others around the world. Well I’m not sure if this is the norm since we are in a hotel, but breakfast was a feast. Fresh Greek Yougart – not like we get in America, I mean real Greek Yougart. It was great. A lot of fresh fruit and a hard boiled egg and of course coffee, and that was the tip of the iceberg.

Now that breakfast was out of the way, it was time to go to the lobby and meet the group of us that had a bus trip booked to see Piraeus and Athens. A full day was ahead of us, that’s for sure. The plan is to board the bus, cruise the cruise ship docks then off to the yacht harbor to pick up the road to Athens. Stop at the 1896 Olympic Stadium, the first modern competive Olympics in the world. Then a cruise around the city with all the cool sites a stop to watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Greek Soldier. It was a very cool thing to watch. Then off to the Parthenon to hike to the top. After that lunch and home. I like the plan.

So Pat, Pete, Iva and I found comfortable seats and we were off for a day of exploring new sites.

All I could think about was Krysta Palmer. Brother Dan’s niece that fought for her place in the 2016 Olympics Woman’s Diving Competiton, as I stood in awe looking at the stadium that housed the 1st Olympic Modern Competition in 1896. What a treat it was to visualize the events that have taken place here. Krysta didn’t make the cut for 2016, but she is on track for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. You are in such amazing company Krysta. Stand tall and strong. You’ve truly got this.
We stopped for a few to watch the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Greek Soldier. What a formal piece of ritual this was. I do have some video of it and I will load it up on Facebook as WiFi affords me to do so. What a site to see. Our timing was great, because it happens every hour on the hour and our driver pulled up five minutes before the ceremony.

All went as planned. Our tour guide was remarkable. She spoke with passion and color. She put history to life and made sure that you could feel the magic of the history. Step by step we moved through 4,000 years of Greek tradition and history. I only got lost once, when I lost our group, but I found a new trail that was not heavely used and made it to the bus at 1:15 p.m. This is the exact time that the guide told us that the bus would leave, so all was good. We did have to wait for the guide to come back to the bus because she was out looking for me, but I was there on time. I’m good with that.

The Parthenon was remarkable. The energy was very high. Magic was in my soul. I have never experienced the wonder that I experienced there. I will never forget it either.  To touch a hand carved slab of marble that 4,000 years earlier a man was carving to be placed in a perfect spot to make this monument of art was a moment of celestial connection. For a moment, I was linked with the history of this place, the people, the time. I could only capture it with a picture as I left it behind as time itself has done also.

We left the Parthenon to go to lunch. It was a great shopping mall area of Athens with restaurant after restaurant and shop after shop. All beautiful, with strolling music and people all working for your money. It was great. I love that kind of atmosphere and gardens.

Lunch was a real treat too. Very traditional and tasty. We couldn’t have asked for more that’s for sure. The bus was on time and my souvenir from here was a new tube of toothpaste. I’ll need a Greek interpreter to tell me what’s in it, but I’m sure it will be fine. I had to replace the one that the English Customs took from me when heading to Greece. Which was weird to me because Greece didn’t check what I brought in, but England wouldn’t let me take it with me. I’m sure there is a reason for that, but I’ll never know, I guess.

We arrived back at the hotel and took a couple hour break and then had to meet a group of people that we are sailing with us tomorrow on the Carnival Vista for a 10 day Mediterranean Cruise. Yep. Tomorrow we move onto the ship and start our cruising adventures. We are looking forward to it. So up early and get organized. Anytime I’m in a hotel for a couple of days, I’ve moved in. It’s just me, sorry Pat.

P.S I want to work this stage. How cool would that be.

Tommrow is another day…

Capt. Paul

Paul@CellGrasp.com

http://www.CellGrasp.com