Europe, England & Greece 2023

Now for the last leg of our trip from Athens to Doha then on to Tullamarine Melbourne. Flight time of the last leg is 13 hours and 25 minutes. We will arrive at approximately midnight and catch a cab home.

The stopover in Doha is just long enough for us to catch a shower and have a nightcap.

Now for my reflections on Greece. On my first visit to Athens we weren't that impressed. I thought it was a dirty city and everything we did they wanted cash. We couldn’t have been more wrong with that impression.

Greece under the EU is thriving, but you still get asked for cash!

Our tour taught us heaps about how Greece shaped much of the modern world not just the Olympics. It also showed us how Greece is literally the center of the world because they are surrounded by Europe, Middle East and Africa. These regions were historically always attacking and laying claim to Greece, but the saddest occupation were the Persian Ottomans.

For 400 years the Greeks were held captive in their own country, not allowed to do anything but farm and be slaves to the Persians. Their children weren’t even allowed to be educated. By the time they rebelled, took back their country the damage was done. They completely missed the Industrial Revolution and then of course they were dragged into WW2. Crete was a vital part of the supply line to Britain.

With no rehabilitation on offer from the Allies post war, they were left with an overpopulated bankrupt county. So many left for new countries and thank goodness Melbourne was one of them. It all makes more sense now.

Today in Greece there is big money to be made in tourism and hospitality. The food is fabulous except the Greek salads come hidden under a slab of fetta. We found Crete much more affordable than the hotspots of Santorini and Mykonos.

Driving was fun but Greeks ignore the rules. Indicators are optional as are the speed limits. Overtaking is hazardous because they pass when they feel like it.

I can’t image what Greece would have become if it hadn’t been occupied all those years. They were on track as one of the most clever and innovative countries in the world.

We had a great trip and have added two new countries to our list as well as catching up with friends.

The blogs are fun to write and will become our permanent memory of our trip in 2023.Les mer