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Last night was Gala night. John, Vonny and Lorraine chose to dress up and dance with the officers. Did not see the 2 youngsters all evening. Jan, Sylvia and I couldn't face the large, uninteresting throng or the activity so we played Canasta with lots of G&T. Having located the only bar without muzak, without an inane voice in 5 languages on an over-loud microphone and virtually no punters, we were rather pleased with the peace and quiet. A stream of Gala goers passed us on the way to the official shindig and the variety of mis-shapen dresses and ersatz ethnica was amazing. A few were in black tie, but generally more Coronation Street than Monaco. A light salad supper was very welcome and we turned in, storm raging. Something is loose on deck above my head and bounced around until I finally slept. Arrived in Athens this morning, took half an hour to actually park alongside. The storm has abated, but the sky is grey and the temperature about 13 deg C. 7 elected to go ashore, Jandy is indisposed. The plan was 2 cabs to the Acropolis, but we were Shanghaied at the boat exit by a handsome Greek (no gifts, just had an 8 seater Merc van) John negotiated a there-and-back price and we poodled through the morning traffic to the ruins via the big amphitheatre which is in quite good nick. The Acropolis is on the top of a hill and one has to walk up. 12 euros is the fee unless you are over 65 and a Euro citizen, in which case the fee is 12 euros - you could not make it up!! The country is supposed to be poor but I saw 3 Merc SLS on the way and literally hundreds of gin-palace type yachts in the harbour. We trudged up the hill to the ruin, pace determined by slowest common denominator. At the top we split up and I watched the people - several times being handed cameras and asked to take pictures. Seemed ages before anyone appeared and then in dribs and drabs we repaired to a hostelry for beer, salad and baklava. NO CHAT - it's free wifi again and the entire group is glued to tiny screens, exclaiming surprise, pleasure and disappointment alternately. ( Of course this after a lesson in how to connect an eyefone, a blackberry, 3 Androids and a laptop) The girls go to buy trinkets and then we return to the cab rendezvous - the chap is actually there ! Tonight is casual dress so I can venture out without getting weird looks. We float 175 miles to Heraklion tonight. There was an elephant in my room after breakfast ... |
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