Ruined by ruins?

Day 4 started with a wholesome breakfast overlooking the sea with the sound of lapping waves as background music. The children were somewhat subdued with the past 3 days of activities starting to take its toll. Mrs Roberts was not very happy with Aastha as her alarm went off at 5.30am disturbing Mrs Roberts’s beauty sleep. Mr Gray had to fireman lift a fast asleep Karam out of bed. Breakfast conversation did take a more academic turn when Aya asked Mr Gray, “What is the largest number you know and do numbers go on forever?” When they realized they were packing to leave Tolon, the children were disappointed that they were not going to have the opportunity to swim again.


After a delayed departure, we finally headed for the theatre of Epidaurus. The children were awed by the size and shape of this ancient theatre. Having their workbooks with them got them asking Anna loads of questions. Making the long trek up the stairs was worth the while as we got to hear Anna drop a coin in the middle of the ‘stage’. We were also entertained by another school group performing a tragedy.

Then it was off to the Palamidi Fortress which was actually a Venetian construction. The children were actually disppointed that they didn't get to walk up the 900 or so stairs. The views from the top were amazing we got to walk up the bastion.

From the Palamidi Fortress, we made our way to Mycenae, the acropolis of Agamemnon. Anna was once again impressed with the children’s eagerness to view what the sights had to offer, especially as we were walking around in the 30 degree heat. They were given an explanation of how the cyclopean walls were built and how myths such as that of the Cyclops (one-eyed giants) were actually based on actual men wearing headbands with one eye. Then it was off to the beehive tomb (Treasury of Atreus) which was discovered by a shepherd looking for his lost sheep.

A hungry bunch then descended at the restaurant at Mycenae. We were treated to creamy mushroom pasta, fish and chips, stuffed tomato for Areej, and ice cream. The first couple of courses went down really well when Ms Naidoo threatened to withhold the ice cream if the courses were not eaten.

A stop at the local pottery shop then got the children taking out their wallets eagerly. The salesman was certainly on top form impressing the children with his bargain prices. All that could be heard from them were, “Wow” and “Wow, that’s cheap!”

Then it was back to the coach for the ride back to Athens. While there was no seasickness on Wednesday on the ferry, there was definitely a couple of green faces on the coach today – Sahil and Mrs Roberts. It was then back to Hotel Ilissos for the next two nights. Mrs Hull’s first aid skills were utilized again when Diana suffered an injured foot.

Dinner was polished off by everyone, especially the strawberry mousse and we were complimented for the clean plates.

An exhausted party of 25 went to bed early tonight!

A mudbath anyone?

Today saw us meeting our tour guide Anna for an 8.30am departure from our hotel in Athens. It was all suitcases on board as we were heading for the seaside town of Tolon for the night. It must be noted that Mr. Gray was the first one down for breakfast this morning, making up for his previous tardiness.

As the coach travelled through the city of Athens some of the buildings we got to see were the Greek Parliament and the first university in Athens.

Our first stop for the morning was the National Archaeological Museum. We spent about an hour and a half exploring all the antiquities like the bronze statue of Zeus and the gold death masks and jewellery. The children were so fascinated that they couldn’t stop clicking away with their cameras. I hope that the children remember all the details as they didn’t remember their workbooks…..all except Sahil. Anna thought that our children were very good in following where she led. We did have a few stragglers who were very tired from all the walking done yesterday and who sought a seat whenever we stopped at an artifact. Mr. Gray couldn’t believe his luck that ICT was thrown into the tour of the museum. It was good timing that we got to see the Antikythera mechanism….an ancient computer that was used to plot courses using the stars.

After the museum we headed to the ancient city of Corinth. Stopping at the Corinth Canal, we got to see a yacht passing through the 80m high, 8m deep and 70 feet wide canal. There were cheers and waves for and from the yacht’s occupants. Some of the boys were very eager to try bungee jumping but we convinced them otherwise.

 Then it was off to a lunch of cheese pie, salad, chicken and pasta and cake. Some found the cheese pie delicious while others couldn’t manage the third course after the first two. While Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Hull and Ms. Naidoo were concerned about their expanding waistlines, Mr. Gray just happily tucked into all four courses.

Our next stop was at the ancient ruins of Corinth. The children were fascinated to see the ruins of an ancient market place and could still hear the waters that flowed through the ancient fountains. Once again our children impressed Anna by being eager to see the various ruins this archaeological site had to offer.

Then it was back to the coach to continue to our final destination for the day…Tolon. Arriving at approximately 5.15pm, the children were very excited to get some promised time in the water. Munisa, for example, was so eager that she rang Mrs. Roberts at 7.20 this morning to ask if she should wear her swimming costume at that time. The water was slightly chilly, but in the evening sunshine, this was forgotten as they frolicked in the water and tried to bury each other in the sand. Mr. Gray was not eager to get his feet wet, but we did have a few children try to entice him in. I don’t think that we saw Mr. Gray move as quickly as he did.

 After a shower and a filling dinner of spaghetti, we went for an evening stroll and some hot chocolate. Mohamad A, after speaking about it since his arrival in Greece, finally got his Greek football shirt.

The children were truly appreciative of the beautiful view from our hotel overlooking the sea. The moonlight on the water was a sight indeed. Looking at the distant lights across the water, the children were asked where these lights were coming from. Very confidently, Karam pointed out, “That’s Chembakolli!” For all those that know, this is what we have been studying in Geography for the past 3 weeks. However, it is a village in India!