Full of beans

Julia set the scene for the day this morning when standing on the top deck of our ferry: “Isn’t this beautiful?”  The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains surrounding Athens, the ship’s resident saxophonist was playing at the gantry, and the water of Pireaus, Athens’ harbour, was gently rippling in the early morning sun.  We were set perfectly for our island cruise.

We did have an early start this morning.  With our coach leaving from the hotel at 6.45am, the children were gently roused from their peaceful slumbers so we could breakfast before departure.  Not too long a sleep from last night, but enough to recharge the batteries for the children.  Not quite as early as Jamal indignantly thought: “Mr. Suter woke me up at 4 o’clock.”  After a scrumptious breakfast bonanza (this sentence added by Ridaa and Sara E), we boarded our coach.  Anne, our guide from yesterday, certainly looked and sounded fresher than the staff looked and felt!   

All aboard!  It was only a short hop to the port from the hotel.  When we arrived, some of us weren’t totally sure whether we were to board the ex-British World War II warship tied up or the ancient Greek trireme being reconstructed there.  We were actually welcomed aboard the ferry Platytera by a traditional Greek couple for photographs, and then off we sailed.

As the sun rose in the sky, the temperature got warmer and jumpers and long sleeves were quickly shelved for t-shirts.  Of huge popularity was the discovery that the café on board sells slurpees – or used to; our children bought so many we think the machine dried up!  Aymaan caused a little confusion among the staff when she reported back that there were “naked giraffes” on the top deck.  On closer investigation, it turns out she was talking about “naked cherubs”, one of which is painted on the ship’s prow.

We had some good entertainment on the ship this morning.  The resident organist, beginning with the classic standard Zorba the Greek, led us through a range of tunes and dancing lessons were offered.  Mr. Piddock of all people led the BISAK charge, and there were more children on the dance floor than off as they tested their Greek steps.  The competition against an Italian group was declared a draw, although it was clearly evident to anyone impartial watching that our group were by far the better one!

Hydra – the carless one – was our first port of call, and we berthed long enough for the traditional BISAK stroll from end to end of the harbour.  At the water’s edge, fishermen were selling the fish caught that morning from the back of their boats.  Given the piles of fish and fishing nets, and a whole row of fishing vessles, Megan was very observant: “It smells very fishy.”  Perhaps she thought the fishermen were overcharging?  Given Mr. Suter’s fondness for shopping, he took his group into the back streets of the port, along narrow, lemon tree lined cobbled paths, stepping aside to allow old men pulling donkeys into the hinterland, watching small Greek children skipping home from school, mothers calling out of windows that lunches were ready, men chewing the fat in local coffee shops…  A real taste of Greek island life.  The response from the group?  “Mr. Suter, you’re mean, we want to go shopping!”  You just can’t win sometimes.

Floating again, we came straight back inside for lunch, a buffet with a selection from Greek salads to pizza, fish and chicken – something for everyone, and plenty especially for our male teachers who had the biggest heaped plates on board.  John got our star award for lunch.  He wasn’t feeling great this morning, and seemed only to want to each a plate of lettuce.  He was coerced into eating amongst other things, a plate of green beans – and we had a new child this afternoon.  Literally full of beans!  

As our plates were cleared away, we were pulling into Poros, our second port of call.  Mrs. Williams must have called ahead, as her favourite shop in Greece was open and fully stocked as we approached up the narrow stone staircase leading up to the shop.  Some could have sworn the owner danced a jig as we approached.  We only had 40 minutes on this island, and Mr. Suter’s planned climb to the deserted clock tower looked to be in jeopardy.  However, leaving the shoppers in the capable hands of Ms. Govender and Ms. Kinghorn, with an elite group of students – Karl, John, Aymaan, Ridaa and Sara E – Messrs. Piddock and Suter led their own rapid assault on the summit.  The views from the top were spectacular, far better than any shop displays.  “Mind blowing,” reported John.  “Amazingly stunning,” added Karl.  On the shopping they missed: “Time wasting,” said Karl.  “I would have been cheesed off to have missed the climb.”  Shopping was undertaken, but time margins to make it back to the boat on time were a bit too close to comfort for Ms. Kinghorn’s likeing, as the last purchasers were literally chased out of the shop with their goods.

And so to our last port of call for the day, the island of Aegina.  This is being typed as we wind up our cruise, about thirty minutes outside of port.  “Tell us about Aegina, what should we say on the blog?”  “We had ice cream” volunteered Leena.  We’re so glad all the cultural bits stuck in.  As we disembarked, we headed to an archaeological site a few hundred yards along the road.  Jamal thought we were going to an ‘Asian’ site, rather than an ancient one.  There, we diverted onto a rocky beach and the children of BISAK re-enacted an ancient Olympic sport of… stone skimming.  OK, so perhaps you shouldn’t always believe everything your teacher tells you!  After some Herculean skimming – Mr. Piddock finished with the most bounces, although Elian pushed him close – we continued along to the site.  Mr. Suter expounded on not only the quality of ancient Greek architecture but also on the sense of humour of the said architects, attested by the fact that the only column that remained standing had a marble seagull carved on to the top of it.  There were a few bemused faces but Mr. Suter seemed to be winning the cynics over – and then the seagull flew away!  We did have an impromptu lesson on Greek columns – genuine information this time – and then it was time for ice creams.  It always feels good to go in a shop and say, “Can I have 31 ice creams please?”  Guaranteed to get you good service.

After a brief visit to the island church, and another dash, we made it back to the boat on time.  Some of the children managed to get up to the bridge to have their photo taken with the captain, most enjoyed the Greek dancing below decks – we weren’t sure if Fayzullah genuinely had those fast moves or whether he still had ants in his pants after sitting on a nest on Hydra!  The final impression of the dance floor that most guests had was of our BISAK children dancing Gangnam Style!  Not quite Greek but full of energy nevertheless.

And so to bed.  We’re back at the hotel, fed and watered (spinach pie, spaghetti bolognaise, mountains of salad, pasta) and after last night’s late night, lights off tonight are scheduled for 9.45pm.  Wish us luck with that!

 

Oi you, EU! You made us late!

If you read our earlier missive, you’ll have realised that we made it safely to Doha, and as the post was going up from Doha, we were at the gate boarding for the next leg to Athens.

We had an uneventful flight from Doha, until we made it to our final approach into Athens where, after dropping rapidly enough to cause a chorus of “Oohs” and “Aahs” from the children and Ms. Govender, we just as rapidly climbed again – the pilot belatedly came on to reassure Ms. Govender that in fact there was congestion at Athens airport and we had to go round again!  Second time around, we landed safely.  As we disembarked, Mr. Suter was checking under seats to make sure nothing had been left behind – as he left the plane, one of the stewardesses called him back to inform him that one of our children was in fact still in the toilets at the front of the plane.  Out emerged Fayzullah, none the worse for nearly being left behind!

Immigration proved easy, and everyone’s bags turned up, which was a plus.  Waiting to meet us outside the customs point was Anne, our tour rep who had last been with us four years ago.  We had a smooth passage along the Athens Riviera, as Anne called it.  Lots of children began fantasising as she told us of Coca Cola Island – a small outcrop just off the coast, far enough apparently to reach on a pedalo, where one enterprising individual managed to set up a small stall selling Coca Cola and subsequently made his fortune off thirsty holiday makers!   

Then we hit problems.  Apparently, the European Union politicians are in town, and in their endeavours to right the woes of the EU caused absolute chaos to central Athens’ traffic as all the main thoroughfares were closed to Joe Public.  Subsequently, what should have been a 45 to one hour trip from the airport to the hotel took us more than two hours.  Tired, hungry, bemused and confused (and that was just Mr. Piddock) our children were absolute stars as they were very uncomplaining for most of the time.  Not so our driver Georges, who at one stage deserted the bus and frog marched fifty metres down to the street to remonstrate with a somewhat lethargic Greek policeman who wasn’t doing much to alleviate the suffering of any of the drivers.  Georges’ protest obviously worked, as were soon moving again.

So we finally made it to the hotel.  We literally dumped our bags in reception, and made our way up to the eighth floor for our dinner: a selection from Greek salad, baked fish, pasta and roasted potatoes, with chocolate mousse to follow.

And so endeth our first day.  Karl is to be commended for his positive attitude: stuck in traffic, his attitude was “this is an adventure, enjoy it.”  Ridaa has shown early promise as a potential tour guide – her knowledge of Greek mythology has shown that our guide will be kept on her toes this week! 

The children are all sleeping, the staff are not far behind them, and it’s an early start tomorrow for our island cruise so we’re going to sign off.  Until tomorrow…