Hello everyone! Thank you for joining me on my next great adventure. I look forward to sharing this one with you through words and pictures. It’s going to be astonishing and remarkable - I just know it!
As with many of my trips, I tend not to do any research ahead of time. I like to form my own opinions, perspectives and perceptions of these places I am scheduled to tour.
For this trip, I was really only thinking of the amazing and unusual foods I get to try, the beautiful fine wines I am thirsting to discover, the ancient and rich history and the extraordinary architecture I know I will encounter. I’m sure I’m going to be blown away though, with what else I see, discover and experience! I welcome it all!
So, with an open mind, an over packed bag, and my friend, Denise, we left Calgary. Thank you, British Airways, for the great service and comfy ride.
Our first stop, or stopover was at London Heathrow. Ever since I was younger, I have always wanted to travel to and visit London, but so far the closest I have been has been here to the Heathrow Airport on my way to other great destinations. Someday...I will make London my main stop and truly take it all in!
For this trip, our stop over was quite lengthy - about 6 hours. After already being jet lagged and so eager to move forward, it seemed much longer than necessary and yet passed fairly quickly at the same time.
Fortunately, knowing we had such a lengthy stay, we had signed up beforehand and purchased a pass to the British Airways Lounge. So glad we did! Once in, there were numerous sleeping pods which you could reserve, and hide away from everyone and everything for a bit.
There was also a wide array of foods and beverages to indulge in at the non-stop buffet, which was so delicious. The whole place was bright, airy and welcoming, surrounded by greenery with beautiful plants and chill music softly playing from the speakers. There was also an area with big screens and couches where football/soccer matches filled the walls, complete with cheering fans of different languages.
This area certainly allowed one to really stretch out after being cramped in tighter quarters on a long flight. This sanctuary was glassed in and looked out over a runway. I found it all quite exciting to watch the constant planes and people arriving and departing on a never ending relay.
I love to travel and to people-watch, so I feel really at home in airports. I couldn’t help but wonder where everyone was coming from and going to. Watching the flight boards with their changing destinations and times. The stories everyone holds as their lives unfold really enthrals me. We are all so unique and different, and yet we have so much in common at the same time! We are amazing!
After staying at the lounge for quite some time, we wandered the airport and then eventually found our way to the gate for our next flight to Athens, Greece!
So thrilled to see this classical and historical city, which according to various references, including Wikipedia, has a history spanning 3,400 years and dates back between the 11th and 7th millennium B.C.
Tonight we will be staying at a hotel near the airport in Athens and tomorrow, we will head to the Port of Piraeus, which was built in 493 B.C.
I am trying to wrap my mind around the history of this city and country when the history of my own country has barely begun in comparison!!!
This is where we will board a cruise ship - Holland America’s “Rotterdam”. The following day we will set sail on a trip of a lifetime - a 14 day Holy Land Explorer Mediterranean Cruise.
I grew up watching “The Love Boat” but I never really thought I would do a cruise. Should be amazing! Totally up for the adventure I’m about to embark on!
Though I have certain ideas of how this trip may play out as I have had with others, I also know from experience that it’s great to have expectations but these need to be flexible. For me there needs to be a willingness to have my beliefs questioned, confirmed or thrown out all together when necessary. Hold loosely to the details of what is about to change my life forever.
It has always been a dream of mine to travel the world and to see the Mediterranean. I can’t believe I am finally seeing it come true.
Come aboard with me. Let’s go see the world (or a small part of it, anyway)!
Write more to you all very soon!
Cheers, Jae
P.S. As a side note, I would like to give a big thank you to www.britannia.com, www.history.ca, and Wikipedia for their historical and invaluable information, which helped me to answer many questions on these areas I have visited!
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