T -1 and Day 1

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T-1

Things were going really quite well until we reached Norwich. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Then we got into a lift in the car Park at St Stephens Street with our bags. The doors opened on the ground floor and we were greeted with a locked metal grill. Those that know Carol will understand what happened next. Whilst stopping just short of hyper ventilating we had to get out of there fast. The lift didn't do fast though and the police are probably anylising the fingernail scratches on the lift door as we speak. {I HATE LIFTS THEY ARE LIKE CAVES AND HIGH MOUNTAIN PATHS WITH DROPS BOTH SIDES, AND AIRPLANES THAT TAKE OFF AND LAND, THE BIT IN THE MIDDLE IS OK OTHER THAN TURBULENCE.}

We then arrived at the bus station to find that the passenger facilities don't open on a Sunday (the place was packed, they must realize that people travel on a Sunday.) So a 20 minute round trip to Sainsburys, later our bus arrived.

This was our first experience with National Express. We thought we would give it a try as even though it took 5 hours we wouldn't have to lug our bags through the underground. We knew it was going to be an interesting journey when the driver got off and shouted to the crowd, "if you don't have a ticket for this service do not attempt to board the coach."

We had a smooth and trouble free journey until we reached Cambridge. The coach was basically full and there was a queue waiting to get on. Cue hysterical women and much arguing Then it was onto the second Cambridge stop for round 2.

So after a long stop at Stansted where more passenger negotiations took place we were off to Heathrow. Unfortunately as we were getting off at Terminal 5 it was around 50 minutes between arriving at Heathrow and us getting off making a grand total of just over 5.5 hours.

would we do it again? Possibly. As National Express virgins we didn't really know what to expect and the chaos wasn't the fault of the drivers who worked well under a great deal of pressure. We would strongly recommend getting on near the start of the route or you may not get a seat as this airport service is clearly very popular.

We had a night booked at the Sofitel hotel, the only one directly linked to Heathrow T5. This is billed as a luxury hotel and it didn't disappoint us. No carrying your own bags here, You are guided to a check in and dealt with immediately. "Ah' we already have your address, welcome back. Would you like an upgrade?" 20 seconds later I was sitting on Carol as she tried to explain it was our first visit whilst collecting the key to our upgraded room. {GROSS EXAGGERATION I NEVER SAID A WORD...MUCH.]

The rooms here are really nice. Some of the fittings, like the light switches, are perhaps a bit too clever for their own good, but it is without any doubt the best airport hotel we have stayed in.

We were a bit scared of the potential price at the hotel restaurant and so walked thorough the covered walkway to eat at the 5 Tuns at the terminal. The food here was OK and reasonably priced, unlike the beer! It was here that Carol said, "There is plane coming into land, it sounds really close." "That will be the coffee machine at the bar," I replied. Carol then took a photo to prove that there was a plane very close.

£45 for a couple of burgers and beers later we returned to the room to watch England draw with Brazil 2-2. The bed was superb and we had a good nights sleep, disturbed by the 5am alarm.

Day 1

Checkout was flawless and then off to T5 where, again, was a slick operation with no queues for bag drop or security and the flight was on time! Our BA captain confidently told us that we had a smooth flight ahead with no turbulence. 40 minutes later passengers were picking their fillings off the floor as we endured a 30 minute roller coaster ride. Other than that no screaming babies and no kids kicking the seats. Result.

Getting on the Metro from the airport was a bit of a problem as the few staff seemed unwilling to help you get onto the right train. And so it was that a group of British holiday makers hugged like koalas for comfort on a platform hoping it was the right one. (It was.)

After a change of trains (more angst although Carol proved right on direction){I CLEARLY CAN READ METRO MAPS WHEREAS TIM JUST GUESSES) we arrived at Acropolis station, which Carol has unexpectedly renamed apocalypse. A short walk brought us to the Hotel Phaedra in Plaka, the historic heart of Athens. This is a basic but clean and tidy hotel {WITH THE ODD HOLE IN THE WALL FOR WIRING AS IS THE GREEK WAY) within walking distance of anything you might want to see in Athens with friendly staff. Even the fact that they were not expecting us, for some reason, until tomorrow was met with a very Greek, "no problem."

The room has a balcony overlooking an old church and hundreds of sparrows nesting in the trunk of a large but dead palm.

On top of the hotel is a roof terrace with great views all around. Carol was pleased that we had a good view of the apocalypse. it was from here, as we looked down into the picturesque street below, that Carol said, "Look at that man down there with real man boobs; no wait it's a woman with woman boobs!"

Our evening meal was at the Scholarhio restaurant in Plaka. This was an interesting experience as within a minute of us sitting down a tray of 18 dishes was presented and we were asked to pick 5 to eat. A desert then appeared with 2 forks. I had most of it and not just because I was eating faster. (New shirt - many splodges.) It was an acquired taste.

On the way back to the hotel a trader persuaded Carol to buy a hat. It was that kind of night. Tomorrow is our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We are going to the apocalypse.

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Photos

Hotel Phaedra Roof Terrace
View of the Acropolis

Comments

[Deborah and Gill]

Your travels so far
Tim and Carol, you have made us laugh out loud with tears of laughter...... sounds like you are in for a fun filled holiday..... have a wonderful time and look forward to hearing more or your adventures. All quiet on the western front over here. xx

[deborah and Gill]

ps
Picture of the 12 euro hat please!!! :)