//Day 44 /24-04-22 /Chalkida-Athens

Yesterday evening the returning of Jezus was celebrated with firework, disco and techno. After mass at midnight a firework took place which was also the signal for the bars to pump up the volume. The terraces had been empty until then but in no moment the bars were filled. Luckily my room had shutters which kept  most noice of the partying Orthodox Christians out of my room. I was awake early, which seems to become the standard the last weeks. I prepared and had breakfast at 7.15….Since I’m burning most days more then 3000 calories I sampled all the local breakfast specialties. Around 8.15 Black Horse and I left town and crossed the bridge to the mainland. 

I had put on my fleece jacket but after 20 minutes it became clear that it would be a warm day and that even at 8.00 in the morning a t-shirt would be enough. The first 40K I would be following the coastline. Some uppers and some downers (hills). I passed small villages, summer apartments, small hotels,….mostly closed. The roads where empty as it was Easter Sunday. The views often mountains and sea again a pleasure. 

One thing became quickly clear it would not be a good day for the sheep in Greece today. In most of the gardens I passed men were preparing fire or were already cooking a lamb on a rotating spit. It was clearly a men’s responsibility to prepare the lamb. At one garden I stopped to ask about lamb-cooking. The complete family was involved and it would take around 5-6 hours before teh lamb was ready. The family was really friendly and even invited me for  dinner. Before I left I received Easter biscuits and 3 boiled eggs. I would have liked to spend dinner with this nice family and have some lamb. Unfortunate Athens called. 

I continued my route along the coast, had a pause and ate some biscuits and an egg overlooking the sea seeing a cargo ship passing by in the distance. 

After 40 K I left the coast. As I had learned the last days this can not be done without (some) climbing. This time a climb of 550 meters. The temperature had already risen above 20. When I reached the top it was no surprise that I was sweating. The first village I passed shops were open (people queuing at the bakeries for special cakes but also for lamb which was prepared in the ovens), I bought some lunch and a couple ice cold soft drinks. The rest of the day all except the bakeries were closed, often with long lines of people queuing to get cake aand/or  cooked lamb. The scenery was not bad, traffic almost non-existent, temperature 27 degrees…..

I arrived at the outskirts of Athens.I had mentally prepared myself that the entry of the city would be through the typical industrial / commercial wasteland via busy roads loaden with traffic. I was wrong this time. I was guided through wealthy suburbia in the hills. Tree-shaded roads,  big -clearly expensive - villa’s protected by big walls, expensive cars, no traffic,….The more I descended the smaller/less expensive the villa’s looked. Eventually I left wealthy suburbia and started cycling more commercial/city  roads. Almost no people or traffic except at the bakeries…Even in Athens city center there was almost no traffic with most/all shops closed. I expect that it will be a different experience tomorrow when all the lamb has been digested.

Around 14.30 I arrived at my hotel, which is located in the city center close to all major attractions. The receptionist was really friendly and together we stalled Black Horse in the basement for the next 3 nights. I took some rest, watched the Luik-Bastenaken-Luik and had a refreshing shower. The receptionist informed me that most of the restaurants are closed today (no surprise) except in the tourist area close to the Acropolis. Not sure If I’m ready for a Rue de Boucher experience, we’ll see…

The next 2 days I plan to see most highlights and discover Athens.

Lessons learned :

• The sea water is still at the cold side - I saw though someone swimming today - maybe within 2 weeks I will take a swim.
• The return of Jesus is bad for lamb and economy. 
• I’m conditioned in such way that when I see the Acropolis I start automatically humming Acropolis Adieu by Mireille Mathieu.

Song of the day : Acropolis adieu - Mireille Mathieu (could not not do this).