Athens has been interesting.

We touched down early morning four days ago and have been pretty busy the whole time.

Once we touched down all the guys began to split up. Some went with family in Athens, others flew to Mitilini for a few days. Our group of 10 was now 5. The taxis were still on strike and showed no signs of giving in, so we were kinda stuck at the airport. In the end we took two buses and had to walk a country mile in the sun to get to Nick's house in Vouliagmeni.

Once we got there we unpacked, got lunch and went for a swim at the beach, conveniently about 300m away. We were pretty stuffed but decided to head to Glyfada for the night to check it out. In the end that decision would come back to bite us. We took a 20 min bus over and enjoyed a really nice dinner. Our dinner was so good that we missed the last bus back home. With taxi strikes that meant it was a 12km walk home at 12:30am. Not happy!

We found another bus and risked jumping on. We were really lucky that it took us about two-thirds of the way. We walked the rest and died back in the house once we got there. I felt really sorry for Laz, Nick's friend. He injured his knee pretty badly in Ios and had to limp all the way back in pain. The guy's a trooper.

I couldn't sleep. Too hot. Got up at 8am and went for a walk. Even hotter, must've already been well into the 30s. Went to that god-forsaken location later with the guys (Glyfada) for some shopping.

Despite our earlier misfortune, it's a pretty nice area with heaps of shops, cafes and restaurants. It's the spot where Tony Mokbel (aka Tony Pappas, the fugitive with the sweet wig) was arrested by IMF and extradited to Australia. Bought heaps of stuff there (we all did, if there was ever a male version of sex and the city, we would be the cast), need to take it easy from here on to avoid an overweight backpack. No more shopping at Zara for the rest of the trip.

Went for a quick dip in Vouliagmeni before going out and getting dinner with Greg and the family. Turkish food, really nice take on kebabs and baklava. Stathaki and Ariadne are gorgeous kids, Adriadne is incredibly bright and affectionate and Stathaki still has his kiddish mischievous grin from 5 years ago. Even though I've only seen the family in Greece three times since 1996, we got along as if we see each other everyday. I loved that.

Afterwards I got dropped off back at the house and went to bed about 2am.

Up at 8am again, stinking hot! Today was definitely beach day. Half the guys went shopping at Syntagma in the city centre, the rest of us went to Astir beach.

This is a fairly swanky private beach with crystal clear waters, bars, beach volleyball, water sports and cabanas. Best beach I have seen easily! Lots to do as well. We were there from 11am to 8pm and I would have loved to stay longer just to hang out there and do nothing in particular. Also smoking hot girls in G-strings everywhere wasn't too bad either..sadly we don't get much of that in Melbourne. Greek girls really are a class above.

We got back to the house, ordered in pizzas (meh, not bad but was starving so polished off a large one), cleaned up the place, packed our bags, slept for an hour and went out via private driver (still no taxis) at 1am to Akrotiri, one of the largest and moat exclusive clubs in Athens.

I rolled up to the front. Looking sharp (as usual) in my vest, shirt and jeans, I requested a table for bottle service in Greek. We got ushered through to a table inside but overlooking the outdoor area and the podium dancers. Nice! The place was only half full at 1:30, it didn't really pick up until 3am but even our waitress said it wasn't very busy. That didn't bother us, it was our last night all together. Most go back home the next day. I wish they had bottle service when you go out in Melbourne, it's the best way to have a night out with friends.

We went pretty nuts, singing, dancing, standing on seats. The Athenians like to enjoy life but when it comes to nightclubs, they're very composed. They sit around, sipping their drinks, not doing all that much. Not like us. Different culture I guess. We copped a few strange stares..meh we didn't care.

I also was able to catch up Lefteri there, mum's cousin. Great guy. We had a good chat on life over the last 5 years and took plenty of photos. Mum: he says hi!

We left at 6am, after lots of walking and lots of missed buses (Tass: remember E22 for future reference), we got back at 8am. 24 hour day. Did the ol' walking home while people are getting up to start their day. If you are fortunate to have never done this, good for you. The stares you get for being dressed in your Friday night attire on Saturday morning makes you feel horribly seedy. The 24 hour day still continues as I type.

Got back at 8am, had a shower, got changed, said goodbye and left the guys. Now I'm starting the travel on my own for this trip.

Walking to the bus stop to head to Syntagma got me a little emotional actually. I think I'm a pretty strong person mentally, but today I was a big softie.

I'm really missing family back home, more so this time because I'm travelling solo. At the time sitting there I felt completely alone. I was. It was horrible. I was staring at the phone hoping someone would call me just to chat. I was so drained which didn't help, mentally, physically, emotionally. I had more to get through today before I could rest.

Anyway once the bus came I hopped on and had a good chat (in s***, but slowly improving Greek) with the driver. Also got info on how to get to Tripoli.

If you know me even slightly, you'll know I'm a planning freak. The uncertain scares the s*** out of me. I even have Google Maps printouts so I know where cab drivers should be going in Paris and Split when I head from airports to hotels. This bus trip was the one thing I hadn't planned before the trip. I think I need to get out of my comfort zone more often, you can't plan out every facet of your life, it doesn't work that way.

I had to walk from Syntagma through Omonia to catch a bus to get to the other long-distance bus station (KTEL) in time for the ride to Tripoli. Omonia is a slum. My travel book (no surprise I have one) has a write-up on Omonia..in the "Places to Avoid" section. Drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, gangs, thieves, gypsies, pickpockets. Reason enough really. Lucky I shaved my head to a number zero yesterday, I look like a common thug, I fit in well. Except for my bright blue Freddo backpack and traveller's paranoia.

So there I was, working my way through beggars, run down domiciles and street merchants. I tried to pick the people I asked wisely for directions, but then again, you can never be sure who you're talking to. I was definitely wide awake, even though I hadn't slept for 30 hours now. I was hypervigilant, a little worried that someone would try to steal my stuff, but tried never to show it. I thought people were following me, so pulled over and let them walk in front. I kept my watch and iPod deep in my bag

Really, I probably wasn't in great danger, it was the middle of the day mostly on busy streets, but then again, you never know. Being alone in a foreign town that looks rough should be concerning, otherwise you'd be a careless tourist. I've seen a fair few of these places where I felt like this. Harlem in NY, the marketplaces in in Fiji, old town in Barcelona, subways of outer Rome. You have to keep your wits about you and be careful. Especially when you're alone!

Side note: one of the scaries things I have ever seen are the walls of missing people in the Athens and Rome subways 5 years ago when I was in Europe. Families post sheets with photos saying "Have you seen this person?" There are literally HUNDREDS of faces. Layers of anonymous lost faces stuck on top of others. Human trafficking, sex slaves, organ harvesting. Terrifying stuff. Those are sights I will never forget for as long as I live. It's a vivid reminder to always tread with caution wherever you go.

I got to the KTEL bus stop, bought my ticket, locked my two bags together, to my chair and also to my foot (best purchase ever: my steel cable lock, I HIGHLY recommend one for all travellers), warded off about half a dozen begging kids (can't trust them) and got a good 10 mins sleep. Mum rang. I was so happy to hear her voice. Spoke to yiayia. That made my day.

Now I'm on the bus to Tripoli, halfway there now. This blogging is really chewing through my iPod battery. Today was pretty uneventful really, yet extremely eye-opening and character building even though it was only really taking a bus from A to B. I had to rely on my Greek to navigate through a ghetto that I've never walked through before. I'm better off for the experience.

Can't wait to be with family for the next 4 days and relax. I spoke to them before we departed, they sound really excited and will be at the bus stop in Tripoli waiting. I'm excited too!

PS. Mum: I'm safe and well now in Tripoli, the last thing I want is for this blog to worry you!