1/2 Way There - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**cliffo** · 02-27-2004, 08:07 AM

Hey Hey Guys!!!

I'm typing this at Bangkok International. Landed a few minutes ago, uneventful flight but had some dramas checking in at Sydney. Had to convince the girl at check-in that I had enough cash to buy a return ticket since I've only got a one way into Greece.

She let me through though so hopefully I won't have any problems when I land in Athens. Still Got 11 hours flying before I get there and about 1.5 hours before the flight.

Just wanna thank everyone for their help and comments so far, its been greatly appreciated. Well gotta go find what gate i fly out of and also visit the little boys room...next post from Greece!!!!

cliffo

**crionnacht** · 02-27-2004, 10:54 AM

hey cliffo! that's a pisser about having problems checking in, i hope the rest of your trip is nothing but smooooooth sailin'!

crio

**Diorama** · 02-27-2004, 02:27 PM

oh my! i didn't even know that u left yet! congrats. Hope u survive the wonderful aspects of jet lag. How did u have to prove that u had enough money. Did u have a bank statement/letter. hmm mabye I should get one. Well hope u get to greece okay and make sure u have some souvlaki for meeeee! take care cliffo and stay in touch with the boards.

phlipfudge23 · 02-27-2004, 02:59 PM

Yeah, arguing with airport personell:

Last trip to England, Dad was smuggling back cheese (wonderful family trait) and the customs officer stopped us. Turns out the woman thought that the purple feather my little sister was carrying was an endangered species. Would not believe us that it was 10p at a fabric store. My dad gets in a legthy arguement with her, as the sis was in love with it and would have thrown a fit if it was taken away. Halfway through the arguement he remembers the cheese... Can't quite recall how it ended, but she did get to keep the feather, and they never found out about his cheese.

**Mocassin** · 02-27-2004, 08:05 PM

Cliffo! Athens airport is a nice place to sleep if you need one or arrive during the night, they let you sleep on the floor ( I tried it, not comfortable but better than nothing)...You'll love Greece....Try not to use taxis, they are sooooo expansive in Athens! Especially at night...In most restaurants you can go in the kitchen and choose your meal, make sure you deal for it...Try yogurt with fruits and honey for breakfast...And make sure you visit the Islands...Santorini and Crete (go to Matala...) were my favorite, and cheap/clean places to stay...If you want to visit nice archeological sites, I suggest you do a bit of trekking instead of going to the usual touristic places...Some temple are hidden in olive fields, ask around, the Greeks are extremely friendly! Enjoy my friend!!!!

**Carisia** · 02-27-2004, 08:11 PM

Cliffo - have a great journey! Moc, everything you described sounds so wonderful! I want to go too!

**crionnacht** · 02-27-2004, 08:39 PM

phillip, hahaha great story, made me chuckle.

**tecia** · 02-28-2004, 11:01 AM

Sorry to hear about airport lady!!

These things will happen. I'm glad you made it out ok and have a great stay!!!

Keep us posted!!

**urOZm8** · 02-28-2004, 11:32 PM

Cliffo mate!! Good onya for making your hard work become a travelling reality, keep us updated with any stories and tips

**cliffo** · 02-29-2004, 03:23 AM

OK...made it to Athens. Had no problems getting through customs. The girl at the desk glanced at my passport, stamped it and waved me through.

Caught the bus into Athens, walked around for a while untili stumbled on my hostel - Student and Travellers Inn right in Plaka. Great place to stay if anyone is heading this way.

I'm paying 21 Euro/night for a 4 bed room with ensuite...simple but cleaned daily. Was sharing with 2 girls from Canada and a guy from Florida. How's my luck - he used to live in Athens a few years ago so I hooked up with him for dinner last night and let him do the talking. Dinner cost us 10 Euro each, including a beer.

Speaking of which, the beer I had was Mythos, which I'm sure translates into 'Good luck trying to drink this'. Yes folks, the Greeks aren't known foir their beer brewing prowess, still it washed the beautiful meal we had.

Still got another 2 days here but I think i've done the touristy things so will just hangout and try and work out how to get to Meteora - anyone have any idea?? WorldWideMike I'm aiming this one at you mate

Might take a day trip to Delphi on Tuesday but seems a bit pricey at 60 Euro for a day tour...might be best to do it myself.

Thanks for the info Moc. Was thinking I might head to Corfu since its on my way to Italy but who kows where i'll end up..hehe

Dio, I showed the woman a copy of my bank statement which was enough to prove I had the cash to buy a ticket home.

Well guys got some emails to send and some lunch to find so will post again later

cliffo

**cliffo** · 02-29-2004, 03:31 AM

Oh forgot to add a little tip re the Acropolis. Go on Sunday if you can because its free - a saving of 12 Euro over any other day.

**Sijuki** · 02-29-2004, 07:45 AM

Glad to hear you made it man, best of luck on the rest of your journey. So envious I am.

**crionnacht** · 02-29-2004, 11:59 AM

sijuki, man, i am with you on that one. i sooo with i was in greece right now.

crio

**Mocassin** · 02-29-2004, 03:54 PM

Haaaa I'm so happy for you Cliffo!!! I loved Mythos! But wait till you try the RAKI!!! It's like their strong alcool there, you drink it raw and then grab a bite in a watermelon...It's even worse than vodka or tequilla! Heheh! Gotta love Raki!

**Diorama** · 02-29-2004, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Was sharing with 2 girls from Canada

Yes me and moc decided that we needed a little R&R from our busy lives...your such a snob you didn't even say hi!

thx for the info cliffo

**tecia** · 02-29-2004, 09:35 PM

Glad to hear the trip is going good. How cool that you met that guy who used to live there what luck!!

**cliffo** · 03-01-2004, 12:59 AM

sorry about that dio and moc, you guys look so different in person...hehehe

Moc, I love vodka so maybe raki will agree with me.

think i've worked out how to get to meteora by train. got the timetable at least so thats a start. still gotta find my way to the train station...you'd think i'd get myself a map wouldn't you? oh well i'll learn one day that maps can be useful

better get back to gathering info for the trains

cliffo

**worldwidemike** · 03-01-2004, 02:47 AM

Cliffo, sounds awesome!

My brother and I took the bus to the town near Meteora, I believe it is called Kalambaka -- or some spelling similar. It's a few hour bus ride. The only thing I found worthwhile doing in town was an old church with really cool murals inside. The monasteries, though...now those are the prize...take your time, take all day. They were a sight I'll never forget.

worldwidemike

**zylah** · 03-01-2004, 03:58 AM

wwm
that is such a cool pic.

i gotta add that place to my list of things to see.

**cliffo** · 03-01-2004, 11:36 PM

Thanks for the info WWM. I just came from booking the train as i've got Eurail and its covered for the trip - no need to pay for the bus even though the train takes longer.

That photo makes so keen to get there, its gonna be awesome. Oh and the town is called Kalambaka.

cliffo