Odyssey's End

 Our Greek Odyssey came to an end on Thursday, November 16th.  We got up, had a last room service breakfast, and went down to The Living Room on Deck 2 to wait for our group. We were in "White 3." They lumped us in bus load sizes based on our flight times. 

We were herded off to the Piraeus port terminal at 8 am to identify our luggage that was taken off the boat the night before.

As you might imagine, there was a massive amount of luggage. After we identified our baggage, it was loaded onto a trolly for us and we walked to the bus.

I'm sure this guy got a good workout today. The disembarkation process went very smoothly for us. I almost left my key card in the room though. This would have been a major mistake as it was needed to get off the boat.

The traffic was backed up by the time we left, and the drive was 1 1/2 hours instead of the usual 45 minutes. 

I noticed a lot of graffiti in all the bigger cities. I suppose a lot of people feel the need to be seen and heard and they find creative ways to express themselves on buildings, roads, or any smooth available surface.

We arrived at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in plenty of time for our 12:25 pm flight, despite the crawling traffic. When we found our gate, we had to wait in another line to have passports and boarding passes checked one more time. I was pulled out of line for the "special" treatment. Maybe I looked suspicious. IDK. The waiting area was pretty bare bones compared to others we passed along the way. Many people from our cruise were on the same flight.

Our flight was long. 11 hours. We felt ragged by the time we reached Newark International Airport. I think even if we hadn't been tired we would still have felt pulverized by this place. The walk from the arriving gate to Customs and Homeland Security seemed endless. Then the line for passport checks was ridiculous.  I had to ask myself why there were so few people working when there were so many arrivals.

After passport checks, we had to claim our luggage just to turn around and stand in line to have it rechecked. 

Then we took an Airtrain to a different terminal for departure. But even when we got off the train, we still had to take a shuttle bus to get to the terminal. Then we stood in another long line to go back through TSA security. 

By the time we found our gate we felt really mistreated. I thought the 4 hour layover was excessive, but in the end I'm grateful we had the cushion of extra time. 

I'm just saying- that airport was not kind to us. 

As I looked at my suitcase, it seemed to be telling me a story of all the adventures we have taken- Scotland and Ireland, Hawaii,  and now Viking Cruises, Greece, and Turkey.

We stopped at our traditional homecoming taco place, Taqueria La Tapatia, in Cedar Park for breakfast. Instead of tacos we went inside for a huge Mexican breakfast. Oh my goodness, how I have missed real refried beans. I have been deprived of red beans for almost two weeks, and I was so ready for this happy reunion. 

The next happy reunion happened at The Pet"s Hotel. We were all so happy to be a family again.  They got bacon treats.

Honey B literally tried to run all the way to the truck.

                             Happy Ringo

Home sweet home. We found everything just as we left it.

Our Odyssey was a beautiful trip. Viking did so many things right. We loved the luxury of the ship, the service was outstanding, and we found ourselves feeling attached to several staff. Even inviting them to come visit us. Gede from Bali, James from The Philippines,  Igor from Macedonia, and Asinthe from Kathmando all treated us so well. We left feeling like we had made new friends.

We found a new oasis in Explorer's Lounge listening to James sing and play guitar. This place created for us the memories of a haven- away from troubles and cares. Just to rest and enjoy. 

The downside- the travel to get there was grueling for us at times. But we did it. Time change and sleep is always a problem. No Crown Royal on the boat. The trip was expensive, but we felt like we got the luxury we paid for.  We saw some amazing sights and made some beautiful memories. I'm so grateful.

Every trip is like a metaphor of life for me. A beginning, a middle, and an end. Beginning with excitement of adventure and ending with the gratitude and solace of returning home. 

We are so very glad we went and so happy to be home. 

Nafplio

 We sailed from Crete to Nafplio overnight and anchored in the bay by daybreak.

We got ourselves together in time to go down to the Living Room for coffee and pastries before our tour.

Then we reported to the Star Theater to wait for our tender.

                     Goodbye Neptune

         We had perfect weather for the day

                    Fortress in the bay

Palamidi fortress built by the Venetians in the second occupation 1686-1715 AD. They say it takes 999 steps to get to the top.

      We drove past many citrus orchards

Our guide, Helen, was very emotionally invested in feeding the cats and dogs who live at the archeological site.

Our guide stated "Mykines" is the Greek version of Mycenae. She said the word has its origin in the same root as having to do with mushrooms. She stated there is some speculation about the use of hallucinogens in ancient rituals. 

A model of the complex at this Archeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins date to the Late Bronze Age, 1350 - 1200 BC. 

An example of the red stone used in construction.

There were many clay figures and pots on display. Many were replicas. Even though they were found here, the originals are kept at the Archeological Museum in Athens.

       I really admire the skill of the artist 

                  Just look at that glaze!

This bronze sword is very long. Too long for an average person to carry and wield in battle. Helen talked to us about the discovery of giant skeletons in Greece and the suppression of the information. 🤔 

She noted the hilt of the sword is a mushroom shape.

There was a display of anthropomorphic figures. And snakes! 

This incomplete fresco is shown filled out by the research of archeologists in the pictures below. Pretty amazing how they can fill in the blanks.

          More swords with mushroom hilts

 Examples of clay tablets with Linear B script

                Bronze pots and tools

             Walking up to the Lion Gate

The masonry walls are huge boulders. It is called Cyclopean Masonry because the classical Greeks believed only the Cyclopes had the strength to lift the stones and put them in place.

       The heads are missing from the lions

Backside of the gate. The opening in the wall is a place for the shrine of the gate.

Double walled round tomb where many artifacts were found.

     Steep climb up to the Palace complex

     I climbed to the top! Spectacular view!

          Walkway down to a cistern

         Part of the ancient water system

      View of the Archeological site from afar

The Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon was amazing!

This is the walkway entering this large beehive tomb.

            Just look at the size of this stone!

                      Niche in the wall

Looking up as I walked through the entrance

This is a huge, conical structure with curved walls. The black is caused by fires as shepherds used the structure before it was discovered by archeologists. The hole at the top has been covered on purpose 

The tomb was used for burials for many unidentified people. 

The stones fit perfectly and the walls are curved. 

There are many such tombs in the area, but this is the largest and grandest. 

     Small rock hewn chamber off to the side

              In line to get on the tender

                         Greek sailors

      Our view from the World Cafe at lunch 

  The Aegean Sea is breathtakingly beautiful

We took some time this evening to pack our bags and get ready for the long travel day tomorrow. We enjoyed the evening in Explorer's Lounge listening to James sing. Dinner was at World Cafe, then an early goodnight.