Friday 27 November

We don't get out as early as we had hoped. But once our bags are stowed we head out. The forecast is for rain, but it's not now so we are happy. We buy our tickets to the airport. I accidentally take us to the wrong station, so back we go to get in the right train! We walk to the temple remains of Zeus the Olympian and buy the ticket that gets us to all the ruins. Next we walk up the slopes past theatres to the temples at the very top of a hill. It's sunny and very windy. I think the old city would have been much nicer than the present one. Next we check out monuments and ruins on an adjacent hill. Then we head down to some ruins where we were last night. One turns out to be an old cemetery and we don't bother going inside. But we sit on the fence and eat some lunch. The last ruin stop of the day is the ancient agora square. With the library/law courts (now museum) and the temple still mostly intact. The rest is mostly ruined. I'm interested by a water clock. We head out to find a supermarket. We find two small markets. We get a few things. The rain is just starting as we head for the train. The trains are so full I worry I won't be able get out where I need too. Eventually I push and squeeze my way out. It's bucketing down outside. Our umbrellas help only a little. We stop at a bigger market near the hotel. The water is flooding on the streets and footpaths. We get our bags ready to go and by the time we leave the rain is much less and pretty much stops by the time we reach the train station again. But we are pretty wet! There are two options for where to catch the airport line train and Malcolm makes a good call. We are able to get on where it's not too full. The other option station is pretty busy. we have to stand and are pretty squished in for most of the ride. At the airport we have a bit of time before we can go though. We dry our bag covers and umbrellas. We get to the check in counter, but we don't need to do anything because we are already checked in. We have quite a wait at our gate and it gets pretty busy. The attendants come round to collect bags to put in the hold. It seems to happen all the time with Ryan air! Yes, if you don't give free checked in bags the cabin will be full to overflowing with carry on! We are bussed to the plane. It's a short flight and soon we are out. We didn't get any confirmation that we will be collected by our hotel. So a little worried. We don't see anyone with our hotel or name. The local bus is still here so we feel blessed and get on. No walking for us! While the bus is waiting we keep our eyes open for someone for us and I catch a glance of a sign. I jump of and check and it is! We get off the bus and our stuff and go with him. It starts raining again. It's a short ride and a short walk and we get a choice of rooms and get settled in. It starts bucketing down once more. We get settled in. Malcolm figures how to turn the hot water on but I don't leave it long enough and the shower doesn't stay hot. But better than cold for sure!