Drivers Seat (09/06/11)

Or not. Athens has a population of 5 million people - half the entire population of Greece - and has 3 million cars. It seems like there are also an additional 1 million motorbikes. So when a general strike was called for today, which stopped the city buses and trains, everyone took to their cars and the result was gridlock. We had decided not to drive in Grece anyway, and today only reinforced the wisdom of that decision. Even Italian drivers would be scared in Athens. Fortunately our taxi driver took us, via backstreets where possible, to the bus station in time, where a private company ( so not on strike) provides the bus links to outlying towns. It was a comfortable 3 hour trip to Delphi, with even a half way toilet / snack stop - which as Carmel wryly remarked, was a lot sooner than she and Justine were allowed last trip. Delphi is actually in a quite mountainous region of Greece, so it was a bit of a steep uphill trek at times as we looked for our accommodation, a B&B in the main street. Having settled in , we ventured down the street for lunch - Moussaka for me, Dolmades for Carmel, and washed down with a Greek Alfa beer. Hunger satisfied, we walked to the museum on the end of town and looked at all the exhibits there dating back to 1500BC. Then off further out of town to the ruins of the gymnasium that operated there in ancient times, then on to the Sanctuary of Athena. More ruins. But at least here there is some majestic scenery, with views from our high vantage point right to the sea. Back in town for dinner we were seated right next to the window with the opportunity to enjoy the view. I had the chance for some more Greek cuisine with a meal of goat, washed down with a local Rose. That rounded off the day nicely, and tomorrow we will have plenty of time to explore the main Delhi site, which looks to cover quite a large area. We are just about through with ruins - similar to too many castles or cathedrals on our past trip - so the coming change of location will be good.