Long vacation exploring the land of the Greece. We split time between sightseeing, climbing, vacationing and island exploring.
Day 1 – Saturday 25th
Long Day of Flights and Airport hoping to get to Greece
CLT to JFK -> JFK to Athens.
Very little people on plane 50/270
Very excited that we got to sleep long ways and stretch out across multiple rows
Day 2 – Sunday 26th
Land in Greece and figure out how to get to Athens via Metro
Pop out in downtown Athens
Lunch at side street, which was a very good meat plate
Figured out cell phone logistics, went into to a basement and got sketchy SIM card
At AirBNB Check in / nap and store bags in a Toilet/Closet
Met out Tour guide of Athens “George”
People from all over world, started walk through city and the walking gardens
Panathenaic stadium- marathon end Parliament
Fancy Shops, which we had walked through exploring the city
First weather Station, “tower of the winds” sat and got long story from tour guide.
Athens was a mix of old and new. (Hotel built over old churches)
Dinner at Trattoria (stuff calamari)
Day 3 – Monday 27th
8:30AM walking tour of Acropolis
Walked Old town streets to yogurt shop and got Greek coffee
Saw all the touristy Acropolis stuff
Hiked down from the Acropolis hill to the Roman and ancient Argos
All the space were fille with Cats chasing lizards
Sat for a lunch of chocolate pancakes and espresso drinks
It got extremely warm, so we went back to AirBnb to rest and wait
Walked Fish Market as it was just shutting down
Then back to the touristy part for ice cream and gelato
Sunset Drinks at roof top bar over looking the Acropolis and city.
Night tie got really popular and we got street food, but went to an early bed
Day 4 – Tuesday 28th
4:30AM wake up had to catch 5:30 metro to airport
Everything was dark and empty in the plazas
“efkharistó (eff-car-ee-STOH) to mean “thank you””
Metro ride alongside Austrian climbers .
Once through Airport Security , had to take a bus to plane
Flew over Naxios and saw other islands
Landed in Kos, and had Antonio the taxi driver. He did everything, hung out with bill clinton , kick box champion , world traveler. He dropped us off for drinks at a nice spot where we waited for ferry
Ferry to Kalymnos (lot of people going to other islands)
Antonio #2 Driver to the hotel where we checked into Ellena.
Started out at the Top room
Explore beach and pools
Walked strip of shops on the one way road and get snacks
Sunset drinks at Super Mario Bar where listened to Jamaica US Pop Greek covers
Dinner at Prego, eat next to the Cat named “meow-lest-o-cles”
They provided free Mastic liquor and dessert
Cats count today was 7
Day 5 – Wednesday 29th
Awake early and we walked up to Poets Wall ( closest sector to the hotel)
We eased into limestone style again and gave Alexis ample practice in belays in the Prego harness.
Goats hung out and ran through the area
Alexis climbed something in Greece and got the check box.
We walked the entire cliffline to grande grotto where it became melting hot
Headed to pool at hotel, but it was freezing. Alexis was able to get free juice
Dinner at Aegean Tavern
Tuna steaks to feed the cats “purr-thena”
We went back to a new hotel room we had AC and black out shades
Day 6 – Thursday 30th
Alexis got in contact with a Kaylmonos Climber chat. We were able to wake up and to meet Thomas (German) at sofranos.
We took a long walk to Odessy wall and climb several things and it’s very windy and shady
We meet Manuel (Austria) and Wolfgang (Switzerland/Italy)
Fun day of climbing lots of fun routes
Some billionaire sailed through the strait
Then we had a long walk down and back to a snack at sofranos.
Dark cold walk along the lone road to Thrimpi (Alexis birthday)
Best pork dish ever
Early to bed to get up early for last day of climbing
Day 7 – Friday 1st
6:45AM wake up an met Thomas and Tobi at Sofranos to go up to poets area.
Climbed several things, learned to love squeezing and grabbing tufas. There were Kneesbar all over.
Meet Kevin (uk) and Wolfgang again
Started the morning sitting in goat shit cave, which would be a juxtaposition to the end of the day.
Hiked out with Goats and said Goodbye. We would see their continuing adventures in the whatsapp chat.
Kalymnos Cat count reached : 17
Taxi to port, Sit at port, Ferry to kos
Taxi to Lango and they had people awaiting us at the enterance.
From Goat Shit filled cave to Luxury $$$$ hotel in 3hrs.
Fancy greeting and drinks, walked through the grounds and shown to our room.
Personal pool and massive sliding door between room and outside.
FaceTime with parents and happy birthday cake for Alexis
Fancy Hotel dinner and wine
Day 8 – Saturday 2nd
Morning breakfast with a large spread. Accompanied with Manx cats
Private pool lounging was the days agenda
Did laundry in the sinks
Alexis got facial, I got sauna and candle massage
Rented bikes and pedaled down to Kos old town
Hippocrates Tree, old ruins, marina cats
Walked streets and saw many more cats
Pedaled back for dinner and wine at hotel
Day 9 – Sunday 3rd
Goal was to eat as much breakfast as possible
We used the private pool until we got kicked out our room
Moved to public area and also swam in ocean in view of Turkey
Showered in a tiny closet room before taxing to KOS airport
Started the long stretch of airport stress (switching airlines at Athens)
We have Business Lounge access in ATH , but no time. So we ate fast snack and downed as many drinks as possible.
We were able to make out connection to Chania (hun-e-a) .
Alexis got picked up and from girl and taken to our rental car in a in random parking lot
Couldn’t get gas drove in through town
Parked next to market in free all day space (high commodity) .
At the BnB met and greeted by Maria. We got told all the things about the area and Cretians.
Finally sleep, in the crazy apartment.
Day 10 – Monday 4th
Morning on the Roof
Breakfast (nannas) at the old Venetian Harbor and light house
Tower breakfast
Chania Exploration old town street and walkways
Left and drove to go to Bravos Beach
Long dirt road to a over parked lot.
Very windy(sand blasting) and cold water.
Got back to Chania and Hot tub on the roof.
Rabbit Dinner on side street café.
Day 11 – Tuesday 5th
We had to get up very early to catch the bus ride up into “white mountains”.
During the ride we learned to avoid “Ricardo’s group”.
Started the hike down gorge (it was very cold). There was a lot of people released all at once , but we tried to filter through and stayed in the gaps
Took a nice break at Samaria village with goats and a old bridge.
During the hike the guide passed us (even though he said it won’t happen). We were going that slow, but it felt like it)
Finally passed through Iron gates on wood bridge
Exit through goat farm and canyons fields. The narrow street of cement cobbles all way into town killed our feet
Cheap and dirty dinner at town tavern (milkshakes and giant pita gyro)
Waiting for the ferry I swam in black peddle beach (unknown)
We then sat on dock and watched boats come and go.
Sat on boat and watch coast drift by (This was slow ferry, and very noticeable)
Long bus ride back to town, which made us hungry again
Order street food right outside were we were staying.
This is where I just pick the “meat” mistake box
Had dinner in the roof top hot tub (until hot water ran out)
Day 11 – Wednesday 6th
Got the check out from Maria
Morning walk around port, bought souvenirs and food. Breakfast cheese pastry
Started the “long” drive across country. Stopped at the gas station for chips of Bagels and oregano potatoes
Learned on the road how to pass and drive on Greek Highways
Stopped a highcountry wind mills and plateaus (Lasithi Plateau) .
Driving around the country sides there were old ladies trying to sell you honey everywhere
We stopped at the Zeus cave by closed due to earthquakes from a couple week before
Long winding ride through big olive farm and valleys
Stop at weird healing spring town (Krista)
Drive into Agios
Dinner at local spot.
Shrimp with heads and fried cheese, Greece orange cake
While eating played the sculpture guessing game
Day 12 – Thursday 7th
We woke up and did dumb car things
Drive to olive oil farm for a tour
Learned how they harvest, old press , cat tour guide walked us around samples. Ordered some olives and raki
Drive to sunken walls and wind mills on causeway
Car off roading along the beach
Boat ride to leper island (Plaka)
Had pizza at ice cream bar
Another drive up thru olive tree land
Got to Nossos (had to fight with German tour guides to get in the site)
Stopped at real grocery store (bought “hell” drink and candy)
Got the airport and flew to Athens (Felt like a zombie airport)
Spent the night in the Athens Airport Hotel.
Swanky shower and closet toilet
Day 13 – Friday 8th
We had more airport trouble. Ended up having to switch to Delta cause of American delay.
Started long journey home. I finished my audio books (Hail Mary Project).
Finally at JFK, sat waiting even longer.
But finally arrived at Charlotte with an influx of Nascar fans and Eagles people.
We got too much of America at once.
