[Athens], Be Nice! - Day 1

Dear Pipsqueaks,

'A long time' is not enough to describe the MIA of my updates here, but I guess for me, it's more about writing something worthwhile than to just write for the heck of writing. So, here I am. Yes I'll admit, it's partially because it's pitch black out and another part because everything's closed. Hence, I'd rather call it a day, rest early, and wake up early to do my own tour. Actually, I did book the recommended "Athens Walking Tour", but there weren't enough people for a walk tomorrow, so the owner had to cancel. Disappointed, but I understand. You can't expect them to run the tour with only two people. So, I'll be on my own again. Though, now that I'm a bit more comfortable with the city, it doesn't feel as scary I suppose. All thanks to the CitySightseeing Tour Bus...

Like all the other mornings this past week, I've woken up due to hunger. Before 7am. It would be a heck of an awesome alarm clock if I were back at home in the normal working mode. But no, my body doesn't seem to understand I'm on HOLIDAY, and that I don't need to wake up this early. Then again, it may work to my advantage with everything opening around 8:30am and closing at 3:00pm - yes, I had to find out the hard way when I hopped off at the 'Temple of Zeus" station, only to find it closed. Then, I had to wait 20 minutes in the cold for the next bus to come. Note to self: check closing time before jumping off to avoid 'freezing to death by waiting'.

Stranded

Dear Pipsqueaks,

"Oh man. I'm scared."

That moment, throughout the whole event, stood out the most for me. What happened? Well, it all started with a random call for 'Seafood by the Sea' dinner in Klang.

We all met up and took one full van-load of 6 adults + 2 kids. Guided by Google Map, we got lost the first time - it took us to some temple instead- but eventually we made enough loops to take us in the right direction. Honestly,  I don't remember much of dinner as I had to post the final results of our Junior championships that just concluded in Bangkok a couple of hours ago. (Yes, that's the most 'updated' we can be since I work offsite - have to wait for photos and do some research before posting just to give enough background info. People assume it to be an easy job, but let me assure you that it takes a little something more to sound make something sound remotely exciting without actually seeing any of it happening. Thanks to my imagination, I can whip up one or two here and there).

Anyway, so off topic already. As I was saying, dinner went by so quick that by the time I realised what I was eating, we were about done. Since someone had mentioned to drop by i-City when we passed it earlier, we thought why not as it's on our way home. Destination entered and off we went.

It thundered during the first few minutes of our drive. Then joined by droplets, which soon turned into heavy rain. By then, we could only see the distance of maybe about a car or two. Following ever so closely to Google, it led us down a dark and trafficless industrial parkside road. At that exact moment, I remember we were still singing along emotionally to Adele's "Make you feel my love", when all of a sudden, our car was half-deep in water. The co-driver panickally advised the driver to get out of the water before it sinks into the engine, but realising the distance to get out of the water going forward was a long one, she decided to do a u-turn instead. Without having much vision at all, the vehicle actually rammed right up the sidewalk and down, probably forcing more water up the engine. By the time we made a full 180 degrees, the engine died.