18th Sept - 1st Oct 2022 Biennial Holiday ; Day 1 Athens

After almost 2 years of non-travel, we have made the first leisure trip out of Singapore for 2 whole weeks. Starting from 17th to the 25th Sept, we plan to visit the sunny country of Greece and 2 of their more well known islands (they have 600!) Mykonos and Santorini to see how fascinating and beautiful their culture and their people are. 

Day 1 18th Sept 2022

Taking flight QR from S'pore to Doha QR 943 and then Doha to Athens QR 203, a total of 15 plus hours, we arrive at Athens airport around 12.30 pm. We are picked up by the driver and sent to Sweet Home Boutique Hotel. The front desk clerk, Aphrodite is very helpful in getting us sorted out. Sweet Home Boutique Hotel (5 Patroo Street, Plaka, Athens) is just off the main street called Mitropoleos 26 leading to the Monastiraki Square about 1 km away. 

Outside Hadrian's Library 18 Sept 2022 

Have lunch at the nearby restaurant called Athinaikon, and have a decent (first of many) seafood meal. We then explore the nearby Monastirakis Square and the alleyways where there are plemtiful of small shops similar to a bazaar in Turkey. I am amazed that the majority of people there, tourists and locals hardly bother to mask up. Everybody speaks English with a fluency which I can say is excellent. 

Alleyway near Monastirakis Square  

We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the area, which is right in the heart of downtown Athens.Our hotel Sweet Home is really very central and we find the Greeks, at first meeting very warm and hospitable. At Monastirakis alleyway, I finally spot the Acropolis, which literally means 'high city'. The country which gave the world the first democracy and the first civillised debates  is now relying mainly from the tourists EUROs. to highlight and to remember their glorious past.   

The Acropolis peeking from a distance behind his foreboding fence. 

Monastirakis Square - Sunlight aplenty and hot (35 C) 

Later in the evening, we venture to the main Sygnama Square, beside the main Parliament Building to watch the fascinating changing of the guard. I will post the video in the next post.

We had a lovely dinner at Ella Greek Cooking (add : Mitropoleos 26, Athina 10563). We had the following :

a)  Grilled Calamari (10 / 10)

b)  Seafood Risotto (11 /10)

c)  Greek Salad (9 / 10).

 

                                                     National Museum 

 

Hey, Thanks for 130,000 Views !

 

In Seville Dec 2019 

We are now at 2022. When I first started my blog, way back in 2008, little did I envisage, that some 14 years later, I am still writing my little life stories, experiences and views of the world as I see it.

In 2010, we hit 3,000 views I thought, "wow". Well now we have 131,800 as of last month and I am still at it. A persistent writer blogging about anything, and everything (with the exception of politics and religion) to my heart's content. 

I am now talking a leaf from the more experienced Bloggers and Vloggers (Youtube) out there and am questioning myself on this whole 'experiment'

Q : "Whats the point ?"

A  : To curate and keep a diary of my life experiences as a means to reflect on what         I have done in the past, warts, blemishes and all. 

What its not : A self glorifying shallow museum of myself. That is sheer nonsense and it would be absolutely pathethic if I needed self affirmation of my life. 

No one is forced to read my blogs. Everyone is free to critique and pan whatever I write. In the meantime, I have had linkups with people from as afar as 

a) USA - Jacob John (my old neighbour from 6 Adis Road) and Mr. 

b) Australia - Bruce Fenwick who used to swim with my brother John and I when we were pre teens in the 70s.

c) England - some old friends of my late father

d) China - some aquaintences of my late grandfather

e) Singapore - NUSS and Peddling pictures who wanted to connect with his next of kin as a means to document his contributions to Singapore in the 50s to 70s.

To those who follow my blog, "thank you". 

It has and will continue to be an enriching and stimulating experience for as long as I live. 

This is but my attempt to put a mark (pun intended) on my little space and curate whatever I have experienced and whatever challenges I have faced or am facing.

There are many uncertainties in the world right now. Just look at the headlines screaming the prelude to another climate change disaster, runaway inflation and the tipping point to a global conflict. Its easy to get carried away and depressed about the big world view.

Can we do anything about it ? Yes in any small way. I elaborate below. 

a) Climate change : Yes, do our part. Buy less, opt for paper or no carry alls, take public transport and plant a tree (in your garden).

b) inflation : This is up to the Governments of the day and the banks. We can only take prudent steps to eat and buy only what is necessary, and not spend too much on luxuries.

c) Global conflict : I pray in my heart of hearts the leaders will not go down that path.

Well, thats it for today.

Have a great one.

   

48 years ago, I went to the Acropolis with my father, now I've returned.

 

                     Sitting on the ruins of the Parthenon with my Papa,  June1974

Over 48 years ago, before I turned 12 years of age, my Dad, Geoffrey brought me on an European holiday which I remember till this day.

We went to Greece, which is considered the cradle of democracy and England, which he considered his soul birthplace, as he studied there for at least 5 years and had many friends who were and probably are residing there.

My images of Greece are hazy, but I recall we had stayed in some small hotel, and walked up to the Acropolis.

Above is the priceless picture of the two of us, sitting on some column.

Carpe Diem ! 

All set for some Adventure !

                   Sunset at Santorini 24th Sept 2022 

We actually got the see the sun set beyond the horizon and disappear !

The long awaited holidays are here.  For 15 short days and nights, I will be on the road to the land they called the Cradle of Democracy, where the 'country' was a hodge podge of city states (or polis),interwoven with fables of immortal gods, Zeus, Poseidon, Hercules, Athena, Hermes, Aphrodite to name a few. Wars, Heroes, Kings, Battle fought won and lost and all of the history of a once great Hellenic empire spanning from the modern Western Spain all the way to India, and up to the Germanic kingdoms.

Yes, We are going to Greece. 

This is only my 2nd trip ever there. 

Boy am I really excited about this trip.

I will blog the pics and videos once there.

Carpe Diem. 

 

Sudoku Taught me Mental Resilience and Toughness

Today's Sudoku taught me 2 things. In my life, I must always struggle to achieve my goals. It is no use, sitting there and waiting for things to happen. I must set a goal, objectivise it, set realistic timelines, and tthen pursue it with my greatest effort and purpose.As I enter the 6th decade of my life, I have achieved wisdom, dropped my ego and am ready to push my legacy to the next 2 generations.What I do now and going forward will be with that frame of mind. Carpe Diem !  

Athens - A Fun History Video

 

All Set for the Holidays !