Munich Airport
Greetings from Munich, Germany, where I am approaching the end of my four-hour layover on my way to Athens. The overnight-flight from Newark was easily one of the most pleasant I have endured. The comfortable business class seat stretches out into a full flat bed, the captain keeps the temperature at a pleasant level, unlike the freezing cold on most international flights, and the flying is remarkably smooth. Several crew members were most helpful in assuring that I had a wheelchair when deplaning in Munich, patiently waiting with me until it finally arrived. Kudos to Lufthansa.
Shortly after the 8:45 departure (10 minutes early), crew members serve an excellent dinner of beef tenderloin, assorted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes and cold salad—topped off with Hagen-Das chocolate ice cream.
After dinner I manage a few hours of interrupted sleep before an early breakfast. We land a little early and face the news that the transportation industry has called for a strike today. The Lufthansa people think it will not affect airlines, and so far no flights out of Munich have been cancelled. So again I am enjoying the comforts of the Lufthansa Business Class Lounge as I nosh my way through the morning. I will continue later on my way to Athens, where I have arranged for a car and driver to take me to Piraeus, where I have a hotel reservation for the night. And then tomorrow afternoon, Monday, I board Seabourn’s Encore, for my 19-day cruise to Dubai. My flight has been called, so no strike effects.
Monday, 21 October 2019
Triton Hotel, Piraeus, Athens
The Triton is an adequate three-star hotel near the port in Piraeus. With the major hotels of central Athens nearby, the choices here are rather limited, with very few establishments of four stars or above. But the room is clean and quiet, with a good bed, modernized bathroom, and free wifi. It even has a small private balcony overlooking the busy street.
Getting to the hotel from the Athens Airport has been the only travel snafu so far. I receive a text message from my driver as soon as I arrive in which he tells me where he will meet me in a few minutes. There are lots of drivers with names of passengers written on cards or iPads. I continue to wait and keep getting messages that he will arrive in a few minutes. But soon all the other drivers disappear into the night with their passengers.
Finally, almost an hour late, he arrives, very apologetic. Seems he had/has car trouble and the traffic is terrible. But he is friendly, young and cute, so we are soon on our way. The fancy sedan appears quite nice from the exterior, but I soon discover that the AC is not working, not a terrible blow in the evening weather, but still not as it should be. More importantly this brand new car keeps stalling at every red light and stop sign—unforgivable, but I keep my cool and my sense of humor. Although he does not own a car himself, he is a very good and careful driver, although a little impatient in traffic. Especially since he has to return to the airport to pick up another passenger after he drops me—and he is obviously going to be late again. Looks like he might have to return to his former job as drummer for a rock band!
Well, after a restful night I am ready to begin my true adventure. I am writing this while having my full breakfast at the hotel. I will have time for a short walk this morning—sunny with highs in the low 80s today—before gathering my things and getting a taxi to the nearby cruiseport . I will try to confirm the distance on my walk.
So long for now, the next blog will be from the Encore.
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