Nightmare in Venice

Day 12: June 29 cont'd...

We ended up having dinner in the hotel and watched the game on their big screen. We some awesome chicken and lamb "in the oven" with mythos and the signature Raki after the meal. Tim wasn't feeling like drinking Raki so I had his share and slept like a baby that night.

Oh, and Spain won! So I guess our friend from Matala doesn't have his mustache anymore =(

Day 13: June 30


Today we had breakfast at the hotel before checking out and heading to the airport. Our flight plan today was Chania - Athens - Rome - Venice.

The flight from Chania to Athens was super short, it was leaving Athens that was difficult. We didn't start boarding until our departure time, but the plane was practically empty so Tim and I each had our own row. Nap time!

On the flight I thought about all the things I loved about Greece and tried to compile a list:
1. The beaches - they were indescribably beautiful!
2. Mythos - best beer I've had in a long time
3. People like Costas, Nikos and Nikos
4. Feta! I love cheese!
5. Lamb - it was always tender in Greece
6. Olives - with the pit of course!
7. Raki - like I said, it burns like tequila and tastes like vodka' don't toy with it!
8. The bed at Atrion - I'll invest in one when I'm uberrich!
9. Energy efficiency - the tiny cars, at each hotel you have to insert your key into a slot in order to turn on any lights or the A/C so there's no way you can leave it on; however, all thought the Europeans have energy efficiency down they litter a lot and I've seen smoggier cities than LA here.
10. Mousaka - a Greek rendition of lasagna with minced meat, eggplant and potato - effing delicious!

It's a short list, but I know I'll think of more later.

The flight to Rome was a bit longer, but smooth. I searched for the Coliseum out the plane window, but couldn't find it. Next we waited for what seemed like forever to board the next flight. It seems that it's not just Greece, but probably all of Europe that delays and/or cancels without any reason given.

We finally took off about 45 minutes late. I'll be glad when this day of hellish transit is over! Waiting for buses to take you to the plane and then waiting for all the slow people to board and deboard the plane. Traveling in Europe in general is an experience for sure!

When we landed in Venice another bus took us from the plane to the airport terminal and then we waited for our luggage - this is where the nightmare began! Along with half our plane we waited while luggage with the flight number 6360 went round the carousel - our flight number was 6362. We all migrated to the lost and found counter and waited for what seemed like forever (again) for someone to tell us to call back in the morning. Word to the wise, along with never using internet on islands don't EVER FLY AIR ONE!!!!

Tim and I couldn't have been more furious. He was trying to stay calm while I sobbed on his shoulder. We caught a bus to the island of Venice and then a water bus to our hotel. Luckily our hotel is great and very comfortable. The receptionist, Daniele, is very kind and reassured us that our luggage would be found.

We went to our room and showered and then put our nasty clothes back on so we could get something to eat. We went to a restaurant that was the largest I've seen here and had some pasta. The nightmare continued when it started to rain on us during our meal.

After dinner we went back to the hotel and went to sleep.

Day 14: July 1

TWO WEEKS!

So far we loved Greece and were hating Italy - not only was our luggage lost by an Italian airlinek, but when we woke up today it was storming outside. That ruined our day! We were supposed to take a secret itineraries tour of Palazzo Ducale, but because of the rain we couldn't. Tim had even washed our clothes in the bidet and dried them with a hairdryer with the hopes that we could wear them on the tour.

We had our breakfast brought to the room and got dressed in clothes we'd been wearing for nearly 48 hours and went to the train station. It was pouring still and the station was packed. We were trying to get tickets for the overnight train to Nice, France. Well, yet again Italy thwarts our plans - they had just stopped running those trains so our only option was to leave Venice at 17:51 on 3 July and arrive in Milano at 20:55, leave Milano at 21:10 and arrive in Ventimiglia at 1:13 on 4 July where we can wait 4 hours for the next train to Nice which is only 20 minutes away or ask Tim's papa to pick us up at that awful hour.

At this point we're hating Italy. We trudge back to the hotel and try to call the lost and found to see if they found our bags. Our first piece of good news came from an automated message claiming that our bags could be found at their offices. Instead of waiting for them to deliver them, Daniele said it would be quicker to get them ourselves so we took his advice. We got a water taxi straight to the airport (only 12 euro) and ran to the lost and found office. I've never been so happy to see my luggage! HALLELUJAH!

We took the bus and then the water bus back to the hotel - it all took about two hours and 24 euro, but it was worth it. We decided to start over from there - we each took a second shower, changed our clothes and grabbed some lunch. I forgot to mention that on the way to the airport terminal the sky slowly started to clear and by the time we showered, changed and left for lunch it was bright and sunny!

The day was getting better =) After a quick lunch we took the water bus to the Galleria Accademia and saw some awesome artwork. We walked back to the hotel and hung around for the latter part of the afternoon. It's hot here and humid from all the water which also attracts thousands of mosquitos =(