Greece: Day Eighteen - Home!

Brian and I were up early due to jet lag, but that gave us time to repack/organize and have breakfast. Brian also wandered around the hotel and took some photos of the nearby marina. As much as I joked with him about his obsessive photo taking, he got some amazing photos of the trip... Not always awesome photos of me though. LOL

(Photos: the marina) 

We took the shuttle back to the airport and didn't have too much of a hard time with tickets and security since it was 8am. I did have to take a few things out of my rolling carry-on due to weight limits but once I was through security I put it all back in anyways! 

I used my Tugo again... I seriously love this thing. 

Brian was very excited to see his favorite coffee chain from CA in the airport and rushed over to get coffee both to drink at the airport and to make at home. He convinced me to give them a try and they were good... I loved my coconut mocha and they had the cutest little hummus/veggie snack packs. 

I had a sandwich from Earl of Sandwich which was amazing - it was my first time there. So yummy! We browsed around the airport - it has a lot of cute stores and places. The Philly airport totally beats the Athens one! 

Our flight was short - only an hour. (3 planes in 2 days was a little too much in my opinion) so I was glad when it landed. 

(Photo: Brian and I on the plane) 

We again breezed through customs - we had good luck on this trip! I was particularly grateful as I didn't keep any receipts. When we entered into the arrival area I didn't see any family so we headed outside to the pick-up area. I totally missed my mom in my excitement to be home and see my family! We eventually met up and had lots of hugs! I did the same with my dad and we headed home. 

Just as we pulled out my mom let out a scream as she got a NHL alert that her favourite player and team captain of Ottawa was leaving for Red Wings. Thus the ride home was spent with her and I on our phones reading all the news and updates rather then talking about our trip. (Brian and my dad thought we were nuts!) 

We got home and had some time to unpack/relax (now I unpacked right away... truth be told its been a few weeks and I think Brian is almost done!)  and then we had my grandparents over for a welcome home dinner. As much as I loved the food in Greece, it was nice to have some lasagna and garlic bread! We told everyone about the trip, and showed a few photos. By 9pm we were both exhausted and ready for bed. 

We had a wonderful time and it was awesome to spend time with the family as we don't see them as often as we would like. I really got to know my nieces and nephews better, and spent some great quality time with the various in-laws. They are all such amazing people, and I love them so much. I feel lucky to be part of Brian's family! :) 

(Photo: the group photo from Turkey) 

Greece: Day Seventeen - Travel, Travel, Travel

We had to be up 4:15 am in order to get to the Chios airport for our 6:30 am flight back to Athens. It wasn't fun...

(Early morning photo of Nick and Pam)

(The airport in Chios - so tiny and cute!) 

Brian's and my suitcases was overweight so we needed to pay 15€ which wasn't bad, especially considering we would have to pay $150.00 EACH in charges from Athens to Philly for the same overlimitness. Needless to say we were one of those airport repackers once we got to Athens... The ones everyone inwardly laughs at when they walk by. 

Nicks family showed up at the airport despite the early hour to say by and wave us off. As we walked to the plane we could see a large group waving to us much like they were when we first arrived. I really loved Chios, and would return in a heartbeat.  The flight to Athens wasn't bad.... Actually to be honest it was probably one of the smoothest flights we had. But I still hate flying. Thankfully it was quick. 

(Photo: picture from the plane - we don't know what island this is, but it's cool!)

Once we got to the airport in Athens, Brian and I spent time repacking. I had a fold up bag we used as a second carry on for Brian and I pulled out my beach bag as my second. We filled all of these to the brim with the heaviest items and successfully did it! No insane $300 charge for us! Though we did look ridiculous loaded down with bags - one of which was pink, see-through mesh. I need to work on my packing.... It's a long-term goal I have. 

Security was intense - we had to show our passports a number of times and were asked a ton of questions in the ticket line, at customs and at security. I don't know if this was due to flying into the US on July 4th or due to Greece economic issues but it was surprising. 

I have one huge issue with the Athens airport - the design is AWFUL for international tourists. Many airports have security and then duty-free/stores afterward. This one has them all beforehand. So all the souvenirs of liquor and olive oil I planned to get were impossible. I specifically waited until here because on the way to Chios I saw some awesome sets. There were limited food places, so we just ended up getting sandwiches - they only had 1 without butter or mayo so I was choiceless but we needed to eat something, considering we hadnt had time for anything and how awful US Airways food is. 

Once we crossed security we weren't allowed to our gate until just before boarding, and then we had to show passports and tickets again. There was only a little place to get water and juice, nothing else here which was really annoying considering its an international terminal. Dear Athens airport, you really need to make changes. Initially I thought you were the best European airport I've been in... You are now the worse after that experience. 

We boarded the plane and began the 10+ hour flight back to Philly. It was brutal. I downloaded a few episodes of various TV shows but that only occurpied me for 5 hours. I tried to sleep but it was hard, and I was just so uncomfortable. Also, we had the worst service I've ever encountered. I likely won't travel on US airways again if I can help it. The staff were just awful... Very rude, unhelpful and making it seem like anything you asked for was a inconvenience. When Brian went back to use the washroom he heard them talking about a lawsuit a bunch if them have against the airline. Yah, cause that's who you should have serving your passengers... People that unhappy with the company they are suing. 

(Photo: you can tell how much I am enjoying this flight ;)

I was ready to be off the plane about 3 hours in, so the whole thing was a long and uncomfortable. It was also a bit turbulent which wasn't fun. But we landed in Philly after what seemed like an eternity! 

Brian and I breezed through customs - thankfully - and the airport was packed! Line ups for everything, so we were lucky. Out of the group we were the first done and though. Brian even had a chance for a cigarette before everyone else came through. Everyone else - except Judy - was heading back to MD on a bus, so we said our goodbyes at the airport. 

Brian and I got a shuttle and headed to the Holiday Inn where we were spending the night. What awesome staff that hotel has... I was really Impressed! At this point Brian was starting to feel awful - he hadn't been feeling well for the entire day but he got worse as it progressed. When we got to the hotel he went right to lay down. With it being the 4th everything nearby was closed, so I found a pizza/sub place that had soup and ginger ale (for Brian) and ordered us dinner. He woke up to eat, and then the both of us slept - we woke around 10pm and watched the DC fireworks on TV, then went back to sleep. It was an insanely long day and we were both glad for the sleep. 

Greece: Day Sixteen: Chios City

Plans for our last full day in Chios/Greece were initially to spend it by the pool, but Alyssa, Charlie and I headed into Chios City for a bit. I had slept in deciding to skip breakfast for more sleep when Charlie called at 10:45 asking if I wanted to go. When we went in as a large group on Monday, I didn't stay long in part due to the chaos of being in such a large group for shopping. Alyssa and Charlie didn't really have a chance to look in many stores so they too wanted to go back. I quickly got dressed and met them in front of the resort to wait for a cab. 

We spent a few hours wandering around town and it was great. I managed to buy a few souvenirs - mostly jewelry and this awesome Mastic soap. There were some really cute shops, and a lot shoe stores with amazing displays. They would have been tempting If my suitcase wasn't already packed to the brim and my wallet the opposite! 

(Photos: Chios town) 

They had gyros for lunch, and I had souvlaki on a pita from the place we had ordered from the night before. Yet again the souvlaki was excellent, but they have a weird idea of what goes on it! It is supposed to be soulvaki, fries, tomato, lettuce, ketchup and mustard on a pita. I was boring and did mine without fries, ketchup and mustard but added tzaikki. It was amazing! 

We retuned to the resort and a group of us headed to the beach. However it was a bit windy and the water cold, so we didn't stay long. 

(Photos: The beach) 

We instead went back to the pool and lounged around there for a while. 

(Photos: The pool) 

(Photo: this was from a few days ago when Todd was being silly and I couldn't resist posting it)

Everyone sort of scattered as the night went on to rest and and pack, but Alyssa, Brian, Charlie, Mikhali, Alex, Robert and I opted to walk into Karfas and have dinner. The resturant had a beautiful view of the sea but the food was just okay. There were some yummy items and some not so much. 

(Photo: Mikhali and his sardines... Yuck!) 

(Alyssa) 

(Robert and Charlie and Alex) 

(Group photos  - minus me) 

(The man who rented beach chairs - the kids nick-named him "the caveman")

(The boys)

(Me) 

(Karfas town) 

Afterward when we returned to the beach, the boys wanted to go in the pool but were hesitant because it was a bit windy/cool. Brian managed to get them in by throwing some Euro coins in and creating a contest. They went crazy and it turned in to an hour long game with Alex winning. After that we all split up, and Brian and I had our last desert in Greece overlooking the water. 

(Pool area)

(Photos: Evening/Sunset photos) 

Greece: Day Fifteen - Karfas

The plans for today were very up in the air so I decided to sleep in and not set an alarm for once. This decision was also helped in part by Charlie who came to give me back my iPad at 1:00am by pounding on the door and waking us up in a fright. He had borrowed it to watch a movie with his mom and figured I needed it back. It was hard getting back to sleep after that, so sleeping in was needed.

I headed down for breakfast close to 10am where Brian was already up and sitting in the shade using his tablet - he had been nice and didn't wake me up when he got up. I had some breakfast and met up with the group who had decided to visit a cave and a few small villages. While that sounded interesting, staying by the pool, reading and finally catching up on my delayed blog entries sounded appealing. So I chose to stay behind. I saw them off, changed in to my bathing suit and headed for the pool. 

I sat in the sun for about an hour (big mistake) then swam lengths for almost an hour. Then I spent almost 2 hours in the semi-shade working on my blog. By this point I was days behind. I had been writing, but hadn't proof read or added photos. If there were spelling mistakes during the last few days that's why. I ate some pita and dip for lunch, then went back out in the sun (another mistake). 

(Photos: The pool area - heaven!) 

At 3:00 the group returned and I went down to the beach with Alyssa and Charlie. We floated in the water for another hour (yet another mistake). I got back to the room at 5:00 only to realize I was incredibly burnt. Despite putting on sunblock I over did it and I am paying for it now. Hopefully my aloe and the cream Brian bought for sunburns will help. 

Today is Mikhalis 13th birthday so we had a party for him by the pool. His grandparents and Greek family came. Nick and Jenn ordered in souvlaki and pizza from this place in Chios town that they remembered as being amazing - and it was! Pizza was standard pizza but good, but the souvlaki was without a doubt the best I have ever had. The chicken was so tender, and the spices were just perfect.

For the dinner portion it was mostly just us, then the Greeks arrived. There were his grandparents, some aunts and uncles as well as cousins. The Greek family remind me very much of my Italian grandparents who passed away a few years ago. First, Katina (his grandmother) had wanted to make all the food for the party but Jenn didn't want her to go to all that work. When she came in and saw the takeout boxes she had a look that my Nonna would have had.  She's also been bringing food to the resort all week, to the point Jenn and Nicks fridge is full. It made me think of "operation throw out" a strategy my parents, brother and I employed while on road trip with Nonno and Nonna where we were trying to get rid of her food after having it for two weeks straight on the way back from Nova Scotia. Despite it being  a few days to get back home, Nonna spent hours cooking meals for the road so we wouldn't have to stop. Don't get me wrong, her food was great but at that point we wanted a restaurant! 

Nicks mom did bring these beef patty things which were delicious as well as the cake. They also reminded me of my family in terms of how welcoming they were. Despite having never met me or being able to speak English, all of the aunts, uncles and cousins rushed over to give us all hugs and kisses -on both cheeks. 

They had a cake for Mikalki and we all sang happy birthday about 4 times. Then he opened presents. Brian and I had given him his gift (consisting of euros for the trip) when we first arrived so he could use it. One of the best gifts was from John and Erin and was a "man kit" which included a various assortment of products. 

(Photos: Birthday Celebration)

(Charlie, Alyssa and Robert) 

(Mikhali and his cake) 

 (Pam, Jenn and Erin) 

After dinner we all went back down to the pool where the kids - and Brian - went swimming. I also appointed myself the offical photograher (which will not be a surprise to my family) and made sure to get photos of Mikhali with everyone. There was a bit of a divide as Nick and Jenn sat with the Chios relatives and were speaking Greek, but it was a fun night and a great way to spend Mikhalis 13th birthday

(Photo: Mikhali with Jenn, Nick, Pam and Erin) 

 

(Greek family!) 

(Mikhali with his grandfather and John) 

(Me and Alex) 

(Me and Mikhali) 

(Me and Brian) 

(Kids - and Brian - posing in the pool) 

(I have this "fish bowl" function in my camera and its hilarious!!! Brian hopefully doesn't read my blog because he won't be impressed to see this one. Hehehehe!) 

(Mikhali and Alex) 

(Alyssa and Charlie being silly) 

(Cousins posing nice - Charlie, Alex, Mikhali and Eva) 

(Cousins being normal and fighting)