Back in Athens - Off to Italy tomorrow!

We have now arrived back in Athens for two days before heading out to Sorrento in Italy tomorrow. After being spoiled with the high speed ferry on the way to Mykonos, we took the normal ferry back to Athens yesterday. One student asked "why would they invent slow ferries when the highspeed ones are so much better?" We discussed the likely succession of ferry development, and then it made more sense.

Our ferry ride took about 5 and a half hours, and we generally pretty smooth, although it was quite windy and choppy in the Aegean Sea. Somehow, most of our students managed to find seats in the air conditioned indoor part, but some of us rode on the upper (outdoor) patio for the duration. After a full day of travelling, we made it to Pireaus (the port in Athens). Mr.Lawlor and I noticed that a woman sitting at a nearby table on the boat actually had a tattoo on her shoulder that had an image of a pirate and the word "Pireaus" written below it. We concluded that she must really like the port. It's ok, but certainly not tattoo worthy.

This afternoon, we have arranged to take any interested students on an excursion to the newly opened Acropolis Museum here in Athens. The museum was built with the intention of proving that Athens could adequately store and display they Elgin Marbles (which were taken by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s from the Acropolis, and are now on display at the British Museum), but so far, all the British are saying is "Nice museum, Athens, but we're keeping the marbles". There are several original pieces of the Acropolis that have made it into the Acropolis Museum though, so it should be an interesting afternoon.

Tonight, we are going to have our farewell to Greece dinner at a restaurant in the Plaka neighbourhood down near the Acropolis. It should be a fun time and a tasty authentic Greek meal.

I'll write again in a couple of days from Sorrento. Bye for now!