The smell of cigarettes was strong in the air – if there was any air. The room was stuffy and hot as hell. I opened my eyes and looked around. A naked…
Author: S Kavanagh
DAY 21. Pastitsio and the Athenian Guard
I was determined to speak to more locals. The memory of the Athenian guards from my first full day in the city was playing upon my mind, but the idea of trying…
DAY 20. Return to Mount Hymettus
Left Hawks early with a guy named Antuni. We got talking in the common area last night. I was telling him about Mount Hymettus and he wanted to go hiking there with…
The Queens – a splendid gastropub overlooking Primrose Hill
An in-depth review of the splendid gastropub overlooking Primrose Hill… The Queens. The Queens I love pub food. The very phrase “pub grub” conjures an image of joyful, laid-back eating and drinking….
DAY 19. It’s all English to me
At the bottom of Lycabettus Hill I tucked into another pot of Mailo’s pasta. This one rigatoni in tomato and basil sauce with grated cheese on top. I thought it surely couldn’t…
DAY 18. Rome is dead to me now
I followed the graffiti covered trains heading south through the windswept suburbs. Clouds heaped themselves in the sky but the city warmth persisted. I came now upon a new part of Athens….
DAY 17. Hymettus: Mountain of undiscovered secrets
Armed with nothing but a slab of spanakopita, I began to climb Mount Hymettus – the mountainside to the East of Athens. It took me 2 hours just to reach the base…
DAY 16. Closeup with the Acropolis
Spear-like trees protrude from the white metropolis, like a spiky green fence or fortress, grey mist floats above, drifting out of the mountains that enclose the city like a great wall. I…
DAY 15. A Lidl Motivation
There’s something not right about this hostel. Technically, it’s great. It looks well kept, has a decent kitchen, a huge hangout area and bar, and very importantly, plenty of toilets. But I…
DAY 14. Getting stuffed in the Acropolis Metropolis
My palms were sweating buckets. My whole body was on high alert, anxiety buzzing around my brain like a swarm of wasps. I looked again at my carry-on. It was a boulder,…
