Greece...:)

Dear all,

Derek and me had a fab fab time in Greece. The island we were on was pretty, the hotel nice, food great, drink great, nice private beach, pool. What more do you want really for a week of relaxation!

On Friday the 27th we took the plane to Athens very early in the morning. It was with Air Scotland (part of Air Greece) in a rickety old plane (and Derek was happy to point out to me how these low-cost airlines save on upkeep etc...). It was fine though, and we arrived safely in Athens. We waited for the suitcase and Derek went for a loo-break. Unfortunately this took a bit long (surprisingly;)), and by the time he came out everyone had already left... I was about to run into the men's toilets and shout "Derek!" (in a naggy voice: Derek can give you a rendition);)! We were met by a rep that said: "Oh, there you are, the 'lost' ones." Slightly embarrassing. We got on a bus that took us to the hotel. First thing we did, in true Greek (/Mediterranean) style, was go for a wee siesta. Lovely:). We had a room at the front of the hotel. No sea view, but on the shade side, which was good for me. Airco in the room was good too.

Over the next few days we didn't really do much. We just enjoyed the lovely weather (30-35C. Sunshine, sea-breeze), the food and the drink. I read a lot (nearly three books in a week!). Derek enjoyed the sunshine (a bit too much at one point) and I stayed in the shade. Still managed to burn, in the shade with factor 20 on!!! Not too badly thankfully.

We also went to Eretria (the town nearby) to go the the market there. We got a lift in by Phillipous, our rep. Derek jokingly said :"So you'll pick us up again about 1pm?", which he didn't seem to enjoy, hehe;). The market though was great! The fruit and vegetables looked so lovely, and huge! We bought some strawberries (the best I ever had!), apples and some olive oil for Derek's dad. We wanted to take the bus back. We found a time-table and people waiting on the bus. They were all on the 'wrong' side of the street though, we thought. We checked, and yes, we needed to go in the other direction. This was a two-way street with cars parked either way, so there was no space for two cars in the middle, let alone for two busses! Typical;). I saw that this wee shop sold tickets, so we got tickets and asked what time there was a bus. The shop keeper said there would be one about 12.45. On the timetable there were NO BUSSES at that time... Weird. The bus did get there about 12.45. It was very full and warm, but we made it to the hotel safe and sound.

The food in the hotel was good, though somewhat repetitive. They pretended to have themed night, but the food was essentially the same every night. The black olives were especially gorgeous. They just burst in your mouth and fell right off the pip. Mmmm. I love Greek food, so for a week it was good. Did feel like I had olives coming out my ears though by the end of the week.

The bar was nice too. It opened up onto a big terrace with a view over the garden and the sea. The waiters were cute and funny, the cocktails very nice, and so was the drambuie;). Not too expensive either. The only downside was a 'piano-man', or actually a keyboard-man that played badly... Our 'favourite' was "Oh Ah Hoki Hoki Doki(3x), that's what it's all about!". Great... There was also a disco outside an an 'amphi-theatre', but we never went. The reps were a bit disappointed and one accused us of always 'hiding'. We just like to quietly sip our drink and chat and enjoy the breeze really (how boring eh?). Derek didn't even enter the "Mr Palmariva" competition... I'm sure he would have won;)!

On Wednesday we went to Athens, on an organised trip with guide. Wow, that was fab. The city itself is not that exciting, but the 'piece de resistance' was of course the Akropolis. Wow. So much better than in the pictures! Unfortunately I had forgotten my student card, so the guide made me pay the €12 entrance fee (which I'm sure she pocketed, as she had tickets left over after handing everyone one!!). After the Akropolis we were left to roam the old town. Derek and me first went to this big park, which was really nice. Nice and shady too, which was good as my arms and chest were covered in (itchy) heat rash... The high(/low)light there was a tortoise eating (!!!) a dead pigeon. Then we went for a cold beer, and on search for the flee market. Found it in the end. Went for a bite to eat, some lovely mezze (starter/tapas), in this case a bowl with some sort of meat stew and lovely home-made bread. Mmm.

Soundbites:
"Hmm, beep?"
"I suppose it's better than rape!"
"I hope to f*ck that's not an olive!"

It was my first time on an organised holiday like that. It was nice for a week of relaxing times. When I have the money though I'd prefer to organise my own holiday. This was a cheap, practical and pleasant solution though!

Will give you URL for the pics soon, and might add some more info later. Off home now though to start work on the dissertation (yes, START, work... 3months to go!).

Derek flies to Luton this afternoon, on his way to Milton Keynes for a preliminary job interview tomorrow. Yes, MILTON KEYNES in BUCKINGHAMSHIRE... That's what I thought. Of course I am trying to be supportive, and I am very happy he got an interview, but people that know me know that I would really like to stay in Glasgow (and so would Derek actually if he has the chance), but I love Derek and I would move down there if he does get offered a good job that he would really enjoy. He doesn't want to force me to make that sort of descision, but I would make it if I had to.

I have an interview on the 5th of July with a company that does multi-lingual customer services. Hope they can give me a job for October, so that I have financial security untill I find the elusive 'dream-job'.

Anyway, really off home now!

Hope you're all well&happy-bouncy!

Love,