31 May 2007
This is the first time I could relax hours before my flight. I mean, usually I would still be packing toilettries etc at the very last hour. This time, I packed a day in advance. I even have time to watch U-traveller episode on Greece from mobtv.sg, paint my nails, surf the net, chat with friends and tidy the living room, in case landlord popped by while we were out.
Eric came back with Sonny at noon. As planned, Sonny dropped us at Newark Penn Station and we would take a NJtransit train to NY Penn Station, we transferred to LIRR to Jamaica Station, then take an airtrain to JFK.
All went well, we settled in LIRR and there was an announcement that the service would be delayed due to a bush fire at the Jamaica Station. After about 15mins or more, the service delay became service suspension indefinitely.
We quickly made our way to the nearest taxi stand for our Plan B. Taking a cab from Manhattan to JFK airport cost USD45 + toll USD4 + tips USD6 = USD 55. The unused train ticket cost USD5 each (off peak rate).
We cleared custom in a breeze, except the camera bag had to be re-scanned. This trip, we were contemplating to bring or not to bring tripod, in the end, we decided to travel light. Hopefully, we wouldn’t regret it.
Delta Airlines has recently claimed that they are putting in effort to improve their service. So far so good. Food is not bad. But no AVOD. The crew was polite. I have begun to like Americans more nowadays, especially their sense of humor.
With the eye mask and ear plugs, I would sleep till arrival. I hope.
( Clarence: Aaaah…Greece…The land of mythical Gods and Beings…I’m coming!!
Actually it all started from the movie 300. I was so inspired and awed by the Spartans that I told Eric and Nicole that they have to watch it, which they did of course. Anyway, one mundane March morning, apart from spewing lines after lines from the movie to each other, I told Eric that I can’t pop over in New York to visit them for 3 weeks during June, ‘cos of work commitments. But 2 weeks I can spare. “How about going to Greece for 2 weeks and meet King Leonidas for coffee?” I joked. The rest is history…
So far, the places I had been to were largely confined to Asia. I have never been to Europe in my 32 years of existence. Maybe it’s time for me to venture on to another continent and experience their culture, drink their local beer and oooooogle at their women. Actually, I was pretty worried about travelling in Europe. The cost of travelling and the time spent on the plane which I absolutely dread (and still dreading) is preventing me from actually doing it. Coupled with the fact that I’m Asian, makes me wonder if I would be safe travelling alone. Nope, not this time. I have decided. Europe must be conquered. And Greece will be the first stop! Muahahaha!
Since we made the decision somewhere in March, we had about 2 months to prepare for the trip. I could only travel in June and December due to my job, and it’s only for a maximum of 2 weeks. So, what can I see for 2 weeks? Qatar Airlines had the cheapest flight to Athens then, about 1,100 SGD with a 3-hour transit in Qatar. The whole duration would be around 15 hours…Wah lao…That’s alot of time leh. But no choice right? Having done that, I popped over at Borders to get my bible – the Lonely Planet Greece!
Questions questions questions. Many questions to ask and answer…
Shall we Athens then the islands? Or vice versa?
Which islands to go har? Got so many…
What about mainland Greece?
Take a ferry or internal flight to the islands?
Road trip or train?
Which hostels to stay in?
Got time to meet Leonidas for coffee anot?
So many places to go, so little time! In the end, we decided.
Athens-Crete-Santorini-Delphi-Meteora-Athens-Home (Sob…)
Greece here we come!
Since Eric and Nicole is coming from New York, they can only reach Athenes on the second day. So on the first day of my arrival in the evening, I took the metro from the airport to the Akropolis station, and checked into the Athens Backpackers’ Hostel. Though I was really bushed from the flight, it’s still damn bright in Greece at 7 pm. In Singapore, it’s already 12 midnight! Cannot sleep now right? Very wierd to sleep at 7 plus in the evening…So I spent the rest of the evening gia lai gia ker in Plaka, which is below the Parthenon. In the end, I ended up at this colourful pub call Brettos, and tried for the first time a Greek beer call Mythos. Wah not bad leh! Slightly bitter compared to Heineken, my all-time favourite, probably due to the hops in the beer. But I like. J)
