Itisallgreek2me

About to leave Spetses

Today is Saturday 20 November 2010.  Tomorrow it will be 5 weeks since I arrived back in New Zealand.  Life has been much busier than I anticipated it would be on my return, however, I have finally found the time to write Blog 101 about my journey home.

It all began on Thursday 14 October when Costas purchased my hydrofoil ticket for departure from Spetses the following day – in his name, as he said, if he had tried to give them my name, he might still be there and anyway, he would do anything to get rid of me – yeh, right!  That evening we arrived home from Bar Spetsa to find all four cats awaiting us in the courtyard … a first, I’m sure they knew I was leaving.  The next day we enjoyed our last English breakfast out for now, returned to the house, leaving again just a little before 1500 hours to have coffee – with my pack now weighing around 20 kilos atop Costas’ bicycle.  On to the pier, the saddest of farewells and into my seat on the Flying Dolphin XXIX where I cried and cried – two people capable of making each other that happy should be together. 

Ironically, after a week of inclement weather, the sky was blue and full of sunshine.  Costas would have returned home to sleep knowing that night, life would go on in Bar Spetsa.  For me, at least I can say it was a comfortable hydrofoil ride – had the weather that day been unfavourable, Costas would have arranged for me to travel to Athens by water taxi and taxi.  First quick stop Ermioni on the mainland, second stop Hydra with many more passengers boarding, third stop Poros then Piraeus.

As we approached Athens the skies were cloudier and soon there would be rain.  Carrying 20 kilos on my back and another 10 kilos in my day pack, I went hunting for the X96 bus stop to the airport.  At first I walked way too far, then retraced my steps virtually all the way back, eventually finding the stop by a small park and statue.  At 2010 hours I finally hopped on the bus, paid my Euro 3.20 and arrived at the airport around 2120 hours.

Joined the queue for Check In but then, because of the straps on my Backpack and the size of my parcel containing my treasured walking stick from the Samaria Gorge, wrapped in two traditional floor rugs, I had to take my luggage elsewhere.  Once free of that I went on to do my duty free shopping – filled a basket then told no, you can shop here for departures through B Gates only and my Gate was an A.  So, I shopped all over again, still unable to find my favourite Greek chocolate Lacta and I learnt there is a difference when shopping to travel to non EU countries – e.g. buy Tobacco with a green sticker. 

Thankfully, I had no problems with passport control then I made my way to Gate 9,  in plenty of time for last minute telephone calls to Costas, Mum, family and friends on Crete and a text to Jilly and Rick.  On boarding the Emirates Airbus A330-200, a quite spacious aircraft, I found my window seat, with an older well dressed gentleman sitting beside me.  The aeroplane was full and eventually we left Athens at the slightly later departure time of 2315 hours.  As we flew over Greek Islands, I was in no mood to talk with anyone – nothing was real, only images of Costas flashing through my mind. 

Along came the very much appreciated hot towels, followed by the dinner menu – I was starving having had nothing to eat since breakfast.  I chose the lamb, asked for a red wine and left only the bread roll which as usual, was cold – I don’t know why they bother serving them at all.  Then lights out and time for a snooze for those who are able to do so … I just dozed and the time passed relatively quickly although I did not appreciate the fact that someone, somewhere, was farting – not nice!

Arrived in Dubai to face the usual security checks where all were requested to remove belts, shoes, watches, mobile phones and jackets …  what a performance!  With heavy duty free bags to carry as well as my day pack, I found a trolley then exchanged Euro 10 (50 DRM) in order to buy a bottle of Phoenix NZ Organic Lemonade for 10 DRM.  Checked out prices of some duty free items I had purchased in Athens, only to find they were cheaper still in Dubai – never mind.  Managed to pick up on an unsecured WiFi connection – all in all, a very long and tiring stopover.

I had not realised until then that I would be travelling the remainder of my journey home on an Airbus A380-800 – an amazing aircraft – what a stroke of luck.  Accommodating  over 500 passengers, there were three tunnels to board us all.  First and Business classes are upstairs, I had a window seat with heaps of leg room in the back row of the front section where Business class would normally be.  Satellite telephone, SMS and email facilities on your personal screen as well as the ability to recharge a laptop.  Whenever I looked at the map of the world and saw how far we had travelled away from Greece, I wanted to be sick – I was overwhelmed with feelings of sadness.  Watching movies and listening to music to take my mind elsewhere did not work – already I was missing The Greek heaps!  A very long, however, smooth flight of almost 14 hours’ duration – thinking a lot, dozing and eating producing heartburn and indigestion, ending in a smooth landing in Sydney.

Collected my hand luggage from the overhead locker to exit the aircraft and to pass through the usual security check.  Now, TRANSIT PASSENGERS BEWARE!  They applied the 100ml rule to my duty free items … still in sealed bags until that time, never mind that they had come with me from Athens to Dubai and Dubai to Sydney and would have been placed back in the same overhead locker on the very same aircraft.  Even though I did not cross the Australian border, they confiscated from me my two bottles of 5 Star Metaxa and bottle of Grand Marnier, placed them carefully on the floor beside the large bin (no doubt in my mind that was to divvy them out later).  I was furious as I then threw the empty bags at the officer … he looked much like he could have been a Greek Australian in which case he would have known only too well about 5 Star Metaxa!  The entire fiasco was witnessed by an Aussie guy who agreed 100% with me.  He was a lighting designer on his way back from Milan to Auckland where he has lived for some 10 years.  I repeat – TRANSIT PASSENGERS BEWARE!

Finally bound for Auckland and a smooth takeoff from Sydney, looking pretty as a picture on a clear, sunny morning and ever so green.  Unfortunately, the weather in Auckland was not so wonderful and I was about to realise one of the drawbacks of flying in such a big plane – the more passengers there are, the longer the time one has to wait for luggage to come through on the conveyor belt.  Then, of course, I was questioned about my walking stick- was it new or used?  Did I have a tent – no.  Did I have hiking boots – no, walking shoes.  Okay, go over there, meaning they would then examine my stick and shoes.  Fortunately, everything passed the test.

Finally through and I was met by my very good friends Vivienne and Dave who took me over to the Domestic Terminal.  There we had a lovely time together over a couple of red wines, awaiting my flight to Wanganui which was delayed an hour due to high winds.  Talk about a roller coaster ride but I was so so tired, coupled with the relaxing affect of the wine that I could not have cared too much about anything.  Thirty eight hours of travel came to an end when we touched down in Wanganui, where I was met by my Mum, Dave and friends.

I had an amazing journey throughout Greece which far exceeded my dreams.  I do wish I was still on Spetses, however, for the moment I must do what I must do here.  Costas and I are in regular contact and as I have said all along, time will sort out all.  I do know that I will go back again – watch this space to learn when.

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 24th, 2010 at 11:21 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.