Hello my dear travelers! I am warning you, this post might get a little sensitive from time to time, but don’t you lose interest now and bear with me haha. Greece was for me love at first sight, I swear. It wasn’t my first foreign country that I visited but it was the first country that I loved and felt as being as my own, actually more than my own to be honest. I always felt like home in Greece. You know… we get attached to people in this life, we get attached to certain habits, we get attached to ideas… and we also get attached to places. I got attached to Chalkida at first… and then Athens. But with so much beauty around, it was absolutely normal to happen this way. Let me tell you more.
Now, you will ask yourselves… why did Andreea say that this post is going to get sensitive from time to time? Well, because Chalkida was part of my life for so many years and in November 2018 I knew it in my heart that I was going there for the last time. Yeah, I am writing this post at the end of June, I know. This time is not coz I am always late, which you all know that I actually am, but it’s about the fact that I was kinda stuck in my personal life so I just delayed it as much as I could. Wroooong! Listen… in any moment of decision, the worst thing you can do is nothing! Been there, done that.
So the real deal is that me and my husband decided to go separate ways and it’s only because at some point, two people might end up wanting different things in life. By that I mean not sharing the same perspective anymore… but it’s fine. It really is. I believe that the most respectful thing that can happen after ending a 9 years relationship is trying to remain friends with the person you shared such a big part of your life. You can still care about that person from the bottom of your heart even though you will not be romantically involved anymore. There it is. I said it. I still don’t know if I’m going to share this blog post at this moment when I am writing it… but we will see. Anyway, in the end… this blog is my own space and I do pay for it haha. So I can write whatever I feel like writing, right?
And yes, Chalkida… it’s related to husband, because his sister and nephew are living there since more than 20 years. I’ve visited Chalkida for at least 8 times I guess, every summer. It was my paradise! Literally! So sorry not sorry, for getting a little bit sentimental now. I’ve been there last November to attend my sister-in-law’s wedding. The weather was simply great and attending a traditional Greek wedding was quite something. I really loved it and been totally impressed by their traditions.
So why do I love the city of Chalkida? Because of the mountains, the beaches, the clear waters, the people, to conclude… the overall scenery. It’s just amazing. I will show you without any further notice and you will definitely understand what I’m saying. Beware, avalanche of pictures will take place now! DAY 1 and DAY 2:
DAY 3. We got there on Friday, attended the wedding on Saturday… and on Sunday, before leaving to Athens, we went to visit a place outside Chalkida, named Filla. It was the ruin of a former citadel but the most important thing is that the place was not touristic at all, which I liked even more. Anyhow, it was amazing and we also had the chance to be there at sunset. Look look look!
DAY 4. The very next day, husband’s nephew took us to Athens where we stayed for another 2 nights. If you’ll ask me now to choose a city where I would love to live my life at the moment, it would definitely be Athens. Why? I just love it. Not so fancy, not so clean, not so perfect. Full of history, nice people, raw and amazing landscapes well preserved in the middle of the city. Artisans, craftwork, music, nightlife, good food and the list can go on and on. For me, even the graffiti art would be a plus. And the cheap gyros too! So yes, I would choose Athens without any second thoughts.
We stayed at Exarcheia House (rated as “Superb 9.1” on Booking) and we paid only 65 euros for 2 nights. Yes, it’s true. Only 65 euros for 2 nights. It was only one room with a bathroom but it was exceptionally clean and decorated with a very good shabby chic taste. Also, very close to Lykavittos Hill.
But before that, we stopped early in the morning somewhere outside Athens and visited a place for the very first time. I am talking about Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon. Gorgeous place! You feel like being at the end of the world and if you know a little bit of history about Poseidon then you must know that he was the God of the sea, earthquakes, soil, storms, and horses. Quite a badass, right? Being there, I strangely felt his… let’s call it… “fury”. It was super windy and the sea was agitated. As far as I remember, we paid 5 euros each for entry price but hey… enough with talking. I will show you.
Personal TIP: go there at sunset. We couldn’t do it but I know for sure that the views are breathtaking in the evening! The sun meets the sea during sunset. What else can be more beautiful than that? I simply don’t know.
After that, we went out for a stroll around Athens and we ended up on top of Lykavittos Hill where we watched the sunset. You don’t have to pay anything for the views, you only have to put a little effort to go up, that’s it. When you reach the top, there is a fancy restaurant named Orizontes where you can eat, have some drinks and just enjoy the moment.
DAY 5. We woke up early in the morning and went to visit the Plaka neighborhood which is full of nice cafes and restaurants, then we wandered through Anafiotika which is another charming place with typically white Greek houses and then we went up straight to the Acropolis. We paid 20 euros per person, a little bit expensive maybe but you pay for the history so it’s worth it.
Afterwards, we went to the Parliament building to see the change of guard, visited another park which is right across the street and we then went to Monastiraki square and spent some time at A for Athens rooftop bar waiting again for the sunset. The views over Monastiraki square + the Acropolis are absolutely amazing. If you don’t trust me, I will show you, no worries haha.
DAY 6. We just woke up and went on the terrace of our building where we had the accommodation so that husband can take some last drone shots and videos over Athens at sunrise. Then, headed to the airport using the metro. By the way, you have to pay 10 euros per person to reach the airport but I guess it’s the fastest way – approximately 40 minutes.
What can I say… I will always love Greece, no matter what. It was indeed love at first sight for me! But sometimes life has other plans for you and you just have to be conscious enough to understand them and wise enough to let them happen. Guys, just let things happen the way they are meant to happen, no matter what. It’s what I’ve learnt during this past year and it’s definitely what’s gonna guide me through life from now on. Breathe in the future, breathe out the past. But keep the past close to your heart though, coz there you have the most important lessons, there you have the reasons and there you have the meaning of why… why you are here now and not somewhere else in this moment of time. And last but not least… make peace with yourself, so that you can have peace outside you as well.
These things being said, I will just provide you some other links from my blog regarding Chalkida and Athens if you want to know more details:
Also, stay tuned coz the next blog post will be about Jordan and especially about Petra which I have to say that it definitely was the most important and meaningful trip I’ve ever had in my life. Can’t wait to tell you about it!
Until next time,
Andreea.
- Our stay in Greece: 02.11.2018 – 07.11.2018
- Bucharest – Athens and return flight: Ryanair 255 euros
- Accommodation: Exarcheia House 65 euros
- Total: 320 euros – for 2 persons
PS: If you are using booking.com to find the best accommodations like I do, then you should use the following link to receive 10% of your money back on your next travel! It’s a win-win situation… so why not?
https://www.booking.com/s/34_6/e222dd81
Thank you!
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