Josh Jeffries
Our journey began with a 17 hour flight to Dubai from Auckland. I had an aisle seat and I sat next to Derek, Sam and Charlie. I watched half of doctor strange and Star Wars rogue one. I successfully finished iron man 3 and trolls. After taking a sleeping tablet I was only able to get a couple hours sleep. I was quite disappointed with the Dubai airport, everything was expensive and over priced. However I was able to buy some cheap cologne for myself. Walking onto the plane for Athens we encountered the immense heat of Dubai. For this flight I sat next to Derek again and watched Moana and a couple of episodes of the 100.
Greece, Athens
We arrived in Athens, saw the government building and the changing of the guard and saw some artefacts in the syntagma square train station. We dropped our gear off at the "economy hotel'. I was going to be rooming with Sam Budge and Derek for the next couple of days. We went to the central area of Athens for dinner, this was where I brought my bottle opener and bakery treats, before walking up Mt. Lykevittos. The view was spectacular with the descending sun.
We saw the National Archaeological Museum, train to Acropolis+Parthanon, Greek Agora, Temple of Hephaestus + small museum (Stoa of Attalos), New Acropolis Museum, back to Syntagma Square/Monastariki square for shopping/dinner. This day I brought a mini zeus statue. Delphi bus trip Delphi temples + Athletics track + holy spring water. Bus back to Delphi. Walk around Athens - temple of zeus + olympic track etc. We took some nice photos with the boys. Me, Hamish, Derek, Alex and major rushed to the shoe shop when we had a little spare time. I purchased some cool NMDs for a reasonable amount to euros. Pack up, bus to Corinth - canal. Off to Mycenae to Agamemnon's palace. Bus ride to Patra - Ferry was delayed and so we stayed in the cafe upstairs and yarned. We eventually got kicked out and went back downstairs. Downstairs we met Lilly who talked to us and let us use her phone. Ferry was better than expected and was joined by a group of hot German exchange students.
Overnight ferry
Chill day on the ferry. Slept in and spent most the day out on the deck in the sun. Went to the arcade with Budge. I beat him twice in air hockey on the Micky mouse table. He then beat me in the next two games and now I owe him two drinks. We ended up missing the earlier train and so we had to find some dinner before our 3am train journey to Florence. There was an awesome sit down pizza place outside the train station where me and the boys attended. It was here I had the best pizza I've ever had, this was a good introduction to Italy. My introduction to Greece was much worse, an angry ticket man shouting and cussing at us. I tried to sleep in the train station but it was too hard. The train ride was the most uncomfortable four hours I've ever had.
Italy, Rome
We had a sweet hotel near the train station. I roomed with most of the lads, we had some mean banter at night. Hustling shop tenders was good fun. The monuments were amazing, I especially liked the Colosseum and the Spanish steps. We had a couple night walks that were quite fun. The Morrocans were everywhere and they were unbelievable and were told many times to, "get him outa here'.
Italy, Florence
Pretty sweet hotel. I roomed with a couple 7th formers and we had an amazing view outside our room. Florence was a beautiful city, especially at night. Vatican City was something else.
France, Beaucaire
This was our "holiday' part of the trip. We drove around in mini vans. Our hotel was 3/3 stars and I roomed with Derek, Tommy and Alex. We had to dress up for dinner, which was three courses. It was here that I tried snails for the first time. We had lots of free time where I went swimming and chilled with the boys. The Pont du Gard was one of my favourite days. This was where we went swimming in a massive aqueduct. There was a big rock with quite a big fall that everyone jumped off. This was where we met a little kid that was making absurd noises and actions that we found very amusing.
Greece, Athens
We arrived in Athens, saw the government building and the changing of the guard and saw some artefacts in the syntagma square train station. We dropped our gear off at the "economy hotel'. I was going to be rooming with Sam Budge and Derek for the next couple of days. We went to the central area of Athens for dinner, this was where I brought my bottle opener and bakery treats, before walking up Mt. Lykevittos. The view was spectacular with the descending sun.
We saw the National Archaeological Museum, train to Acropolis+Parthanon, Greek Agora, Temple of Hephaestus + small museum (Stoa of Attalos), New Acropolis Museum, back to Syntagma Square/Monastariki square for shopping/dinner. This day I brought a mini zeus statue. Delphi bus trip Delphi temples + Athletics track + holy spring water. Bus back to Delphi. Walk around Athens - temple of zeus + olympic track etc. We took some nice photos with the boys. Me, Hamish, Derek, Alex and major rushed to the shoe shop when we had a little spare time. I purchased some cool NMDs for a reasonable amount to euros. Pack up, bus to Corinth - canal. Off to Mycenae to Agamemnon's palace. Bus ride to Patra - Ferry was delayed and so we stayed in the cafe upstairs and yarned. We eventually got kicked out and went back downstairs. Downstairs we met Lilly who talked to us and let us use her phone. Ferry was better than expected and was joined by a group of hot German exchange students.
Overnight ferry
Chill day on the ferry. Slept in and spent most the day out on the deck in the sun. Went to the arcade with Budge. I beat him twice in air hockey on the Micky mouse table. He then beat me in the next two games and now I owe him two drinks. We ended up missing the earlier train and so we had to find some dinner before our 3am train journey to Florence. There was an awesome sit down pizza place outside the train station where me and the boys attended. It was here I had the best pizza I've ever had, this was a good introduction to Italy. My introduction to Greece was much worse, an angry ticket man shouting and cussing at us. I tried to sleep in the train station but it was too hard. The train ride was the most uncomfortable four hours I've ever had.
Italy, Rome
We had a sweet hotel near the train station. I roomed with most of the lads, we had some mean banter at night. Hustling shop tenders was good fun. The monuments were amazing, I especially liked the Colosseum and the Spanish steps. We had a couple night walks that were quite fun. The Morrocans were everywhere and they were unbelievable and were told many times to, "get him outa here'.
Italy, Florence
Pretty sweet hotel. I roomed with a couple 7th formers and we had an amazing view outside our room. Florence was a beautiful city, especially at night. Vatican City was something else.
Italy, Venice
Venice was pretty cool, a whole city built on the water. The Rialto bridge was quite impressive. Venice had lots of little cool shop and the venetian masks were quite interesting. It was very hot, I was constantly sweating. I hated carrying around my break-out bag and I had the worst ferry ride, it was too hot, crowded and the water was choppy.
France, Beaucaire
This was our "holiday' part of the trip. We drove around in mini vans. Our hotel was 3/3 stars and I roomed with Derek, Tommy and Alex. We had to dress up for dinner, which was three courses. It was here that I tried snails for the first time. We had lots of free time where I went swimming and chilled with the boys. The Pont du Gard was one of my favourite days. This was where we went swimming in a massive aqueduct. There was a big rock with quite a big fall that everyone jumped off. This was where we met a little kid that was making absurd noises and actions that we found very amusing.