So, as I promised – here is part two of my little getaway to Athens.
I left off at a lovely little trip up Mount Lycabettus, which has an incredible panoramic view over the city and out to the ocean.
And the ocean is where we were headed the next day. Mum & Dad had asked me to plan a little itinerary for our trip, and I wanted to include a trip to an island. Obviously the famous ones such as Santorini, Mykonos or Crete are too far away for a day trip, so we decided on something a bit closer.
But first – coffee! Upon recommendation from a Greek girl I’d flown with, we found a hotel called A for Athens, which has a gorgeous outdoor rooftop terrace. We sat outside in the sunshine, admiring the wonderful view of the Parthenon.
As it was a Sunday morning, the Monastiraki flea market was on. We decided to have a stroll around the market and saw so many antiques and wonderful quirky things for sale.
Not to mention piles and piles full of delicious fresh fruit! We couldn’t resist and picked up some strawberries to take with us on the boat.
After a good stroll around the flea market (and with limited luggage space, we resisted buying anything!) it was time to head out to the port, Piraeus. The metro was the easiest option, and within 20 minutes we were out by the sea.
We’d already got our tickets, so found our boat and got ready to explore the island of Aegina! It was only about a 40 minute ride on the hydrofoil, but even short rides make me feel sea-sick so I closed my eyes for most of the boat ride. (Lucky I work on planes and not boats!)
Once we arrived we stepped out into beautiful sunshine, and a pretty little port full of lovely boats.
We strolled around, taking in all the sights, and trying to work out how best to see all of the island. We spotted signs for car hire, and decided upon renting a car to drive to some of the further away sights.
Dad navigated and soon we were at the top of the island, at another ancient temple, the Temple of Aphaea.
As it’s located right at the highest point of the island, the view was incredible! It did get a little chilly though, as the sun decided to hide behind some clouds.
Even in the remote parts of the island, there are still churches to be found!
We drove back down, stopping to admire the pretty little beaches dotted along the way. I can imagine that they are even nicer in summer when it’s hot and sunny!
There was just time for a coffee by the port to warm ourselves up before the boat trip back. We had to take a slightly longer ferry back, so the sun was already set when we arrived back in Athens.
The night before Dad and I had discovered a lovely little restaurant not too far from our hotel, serving the freshest fish and tasty Greek mezze. Since we liked it so much, we decided to go back again!
The next day, our last morning, we had a few hours to explore before we had to head off to the airport. One area we hadn’t had a chance to see was the Plaka district.
It’s a beautiful little area full of winding cobbled streets, boutique shops, and local restaurants. The spring blossoms were out everywhere and we had a lovely time getting lost in the tiny streets.
There was just time for one final cappuccino freddo, and to write our postcards, before heading back to the hotel to pack up our bags and go.
It was most certainly a lovely way to end our final day in the beautiful city of Athens!
Of course I couldn’t end this post without saying a big thank you to Mum & Dad for inviting me along on holiday! 🙂
P.s. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter for updates on where I am in the world and what I’ve been up to!
Hi Rachel, you are using wordpress rite? Normally, I can follow you because I am also wordpress user. But i didn’t find that “follow” button.
Hi! just a random question but wondered if you guys as crew use the wifi onboard when you can?
Author
Hi there! No we’re not allowed to use our phones whilst in uniform, especially not onboard!
Hi Rachel
what would you saw are the hardest things about being cabin crew
Author
Hi there! I’d have to say being awake when your body wants to be asleep, getting up at crazy times and dealing with jetlag!
Just wondering, is the meal allowance money I’ve heard crew get at the hotel taken out of your overall salary or flying hours? Or is it on top of salary and flying hours money?
Author
It’s an extra that you receive in the local currency when you check in at the hotel. That’s why layovers are more desired – everybody likes extra cash 🙂
Hi Rachel!!!!
Keep following all your posts, as a future cabin crew (if i make it) I am taking into account all your recommendations for future trips.
I have a question for you, more like something that worries me. I am not married, but definitely getting married before going to Dubai if I get the job. I have a son with my couple and I am worried not to have all the papers in order by the time they asked me to leave. Do you see my condition to be taken for Emirates not to hire me?
I have already have a family not looking to have another kid, but do you have any coleagues or know about someone thats on the same situation as I?
Author
Hi there! Sorry I can’t really help you with this question, I don’t know anybody who has come to Dubai having already had children so best thing would be to email the company and ask! 🙂
Hi! Just wondering why it is that 2 of the crew only seem to wear pants and the rest wear the skirt?
Author
The only crew that are allowed to wear trousers are the CSA (the girl in charge of the first class shower spa) and the purser can also choose to wear trousers if she wants.
Hi rachel, just wondering what a “suppy” flight is and how it is different to other flights? thanks!
Author
A supy flight is a “supernumerary” flight where you are an extra crew, you are meant to observe and normally the seniors will show you round the plane as well. You also do the walkaround with the captain and sit in the cockpit for take-off and landing. My supy flights were to Kuwait and Hong Kong, and I worked on them just as hard as a regular crew, haha!
Hi Rachel, love your blog!
Few questions I’d love to know:
-does it get difficult working with crew from different cultures? Or do you all seem to gel quite well together on a flight? I ask just because I can imagine some cultures wouldn’t get along so well.
– how many hours rest do you get on a 16 hour flight? And what do you do for the rest of the time you are awake? It must get quite boring when all the passengers are asleep! How do you entertain yourselves haha?
-how do you do swaps? do you try and swap with people online through email?
Thanks for answering such random questions!
Author
Hi there, thank you for reading! 🙂
Yes, definitely some nationalities are harder to get along with! But just think about it this way – most likely you’ll never see that person again after the flight!
We get around 3 – 3,5 hrs, it’s never enough! Haha trust me you have more than enough to do, that CRC break is the only time you really get to relax! You’re constantly in the cabin serving drinks etc. If the flight is not full then sometimes we have a bit of spare time and you just sit in the galley and chat or go to the cockpit, make tea, eat something etc!
There is a whole swap system on the company portal, you can advertise flights that you want to give away and you can check which flights other people would like to give away. 🙂
Hello Rachel! great trip and great article as well. Every time you post a new article you make me confused about where to go for my first travel experience. Thanks for sharing your beautiful moment 🙂
Author
Thank you so much! Well you’ll have to let me know where you end up going 🙂
Hello Rachel, I am Dennison from Singapore, I have been an avid follower of your travels and I love reading about your adventures. I am actually looking if there is a chance for us to meet up, perhaps in you have a flight to Singapore soon. I am actually starting out on a travel blog of mine which will be from a Singaporean perspective. It will be super cool and good if I could share on my blog about you and your life as an emirates flight attendant. It will be so special and interesting for us Singaporean and who else could I ask except you, who loves the job and the travels. Will you contact me if you are interested ?