We returned to Athens today in preparation for our return to Portland, OR tomorrow. We had to get up at 5:00 AM today for breakfast at 6:00 AM, then trooped over as a group to the ferry dock at 6:45 AM for a 7:05 departure.

The ferry was a hydrofoil, but it was so overloaded with people and luggage, that our group, clustered in the front of the boat, had to stand up in the back of the boat for 5 minutes until the bow had raised up onto the hydrofoils so we could reach full speed. It was a cramped , hot ride and the air reeked of diesel fumes. All in all, not a pleasant experience to start the day.

Our talented driver Christos met us at the dock with our bus, and we went directly to the National Archeologic Museum for a guided tour with Evi. It was a great refresher of what we had seen an learned over the past two weeks! Then back to the Acropolis Select Hotel to check in and say farewell to Christos and our bus.

For lunch we went back to the same little taverna behind the Acropolis Museum that we had dinner in on the second night of our tour. (see photo of me with the owner.) Four others from our group were there as well.

Tonight's farewell dinner was held at the Manh Manh restaurant, near our hotel. It was a bittersweet event as have been similar events on our previous Rick Steves tours. We have to leave for the airport at 5:30 AM tomorrow for the first leg of our trip home, a 9:15 AM departure for Amsterdam. Then Amsterdam to Seattle and Seattle to Portland. (Due to delay in flight from Athens, we miss the direct flight to PDX.) Hoping all goes well. Looking forward to seeing the kids and grandkids again!!

Walked - 3.4 miles