Day 14 Homeward Bound

Here are the second half of the student's final comments:

Rodes and Mykonos were both amazing, and possibly the two best places that we have been to on this trip…..(except for the Vatican) I can only hope that one day I’ll be able to go there again, and hopefully stay longer.
Hotel was TOTALLY INSANE…. Having seconds thoughts about Italian guys.
Love how Emily almost got mugged by Mitchell H.
-Monika

This whole trip to Europe has been an absolutely amazing experience. All the sites, all the people and things we’ve experienced in just 2 weeks have been outstanding and I still feel as if I haven’t quite seen everything. While I’m happy to be going home, I am going to miss all the excitement of traveling and of having Italians disrupt us at 6:30 in the morning as well as sketchy apartments outside our hotel. I definitely hope to find myself back in Rome and the Greek Islands sometime soon.
- Dylan™


I have had an amazing time on this trip. All the things I have seen have been incredible! Some places have been the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Our tour guide was awesome and super nice. We had great hotels and the cruise was very nice. The Greek Islands were fun and the weather was great…maybe not so much in the Plaka in Athens. The whole thing was amazing and I can’t wait to go back in the future.
-Rebecca. Mair


This trip was a life changing experience for me. I learned a lot about modern European culture and I hope to explore more of it soon. I was lucky not to get sick and regardless of how much sleep I had (or lack of it), I still enjoyed everything tremendously!
-Mitchell Morales


-The Acropolis of Corinth, and Mycenae were the tzatziki to my pita
-When me Taka, Mitch M, and Nic reeked of fish in the elevator, I feel awful for the lady who was stuck with us.
-If Mitch “shotties” something, there is no negotiating
-I can build bridges out of garbage
- Ben

-The best part I would say is when we went to the Vatican Museum…that was amazing!
-When so many people started petting Nic haha
-Mitch cares a lot about his pajamas
-I forget things easily
-Taka Akiyama


-The Sistine Chapel is the most amazing art I have ever seen!
-The crazy man walking down the street with the jukebox mumbling/singing
-Shane takes an excessive amount of time preparing for bed
-I don’t get very bad jetlag
-Connor Jecks

It seems people have started writing paragraphs… interesting. Hello again from Holly and Leah. P.S. Madagascar 2 is amazing…rent it.


The Red Light District of Pompeii was not only interesting, but quite amusing
Geoff learning the worst way to claim a bed
Lucia likes killing crunchies!
I can sleep anywhere ☺
-Lance


-My favorite tour had to be the one of Pompeii.
-When Chelsea went hysterical trying to keep the Italians out of our room and placed a single suitcase in front of the door.
-Lance turns a light shade of green when sick.
-Good god I eat a lot.
-Camille


My favourite day was waking up way too early and going to Patmos with Alyssa where we walked to the top of a hill/ mountain and could see everything around us. Later on that day, we went on a second excursion to Ephesus, which was breathtaking.
One of the best memories was the Italian Stallions (not) trying to hit on us at midnight and Alyssa and Julia trying to sound like angry men to scare them away. And Mr. Bjornson does slightly resemble Atticus Finch when he sits in the hallway protecting us until 2:00 am.
In his mind, Ben was hit on by guys almost as much as the girls were.
I can eat two people’s dinner and not feel guilty in any way.
-Gillian


I loved the free time in Rhodes as well as the breathtaking views from the top of the Acropolis of Corinthe
Leah getting her hair stuck in an umbrella and Kira running through the streets in shoes that looked very painful
When Will is bored he harasses Mitchell as a form of entertainment
After more than a week of constant cigarette smoke laughing turns into coughs and becomes extremely painful
-Sean

What I liked most in Europe was seeing things I had read about in books when I was little and have always wanted to visit, like the Colloseum and Pompei, in Italy and the Parthenon in Greece.
One of the funniest things on the trip (and also one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen) was Mr Bjornson and the Italian Invasion. I thought it was funny how he stayed up so late to make sure the Italian Stallions didn’t come back to bother the girls.
I don’t have a specific thing to say about the other students on the trip, but I learned a lot about people that I knew of or had talked to once or twice before. I made a lot of new friends on this trip that I’ll hopefully have next year when they come to Carson.
I learned how easy it is to talk to people on this trip, and also how to be more independent and adventurous while in an unfamiliar country.
-Kira Nordhoj

The teachers will be organizing a picture share with pizza (or whatever) two or three weeks from now with students and parents!

Day 13- Athens to London

For our last blog we asked students to answer the following questions:

What you most liked in Europe
The funniest thing in Europe
Something you learned about a fellow traveler
Something you learned about yourself


The temple of Poseidon the most
Chelsea got her hair stuck in a tree…he he he he heeeeeee
Will is a great singer and a very scary dancer
I hate waking up early
-Mitchell Hoyle


Shopping in the rain at the Plaka Square
The location of our hotel in Athens
Will carries every kind of tic tac ever invented
Taking chances is way better than missing out
-Julia H.


Mykonos
Nic was repeatedly petted by old Greek men
Rowan loves coffee and is hilariously blunt
Trying new things and talking to new people usually turns out better for everyone
-Leah Bjornson


Colosseum and Rhodos
Chelsea getting her hair stuck in a tree
I can be a little more self-conscience
- Peter C.


The free day in Rhodes
The old man telling Nic that he looks 3/ the guy petting Nic
Never let Taka in your room if he has had Immodium
I am so good at annoying people
- Mitchell M.


The free day to wander in Rhodes
The Italian Invasion
Meghan and Keara are capable of blundering an Irish accent
With the help of Gravol, I can sleep anywhere
-Lauren Duffy


Greek food and Pompeii
Pocket octopi and Kira’s exasperated facial expressions.
Mr. Bjornson will not give up until the Italians sleep.
I should not drink water before long bus rides.
-Meghan Walley

Star gazing on the ferry to Greece/ Rhodes
The cat sanctuary and GUYS! GUYS! PYTHAGORUS!
Lauren really likes Pythagorus…and I mean really likes him.
I can speak with an Irish accent for a whole day
-Keara Gillis


The Acropolis in Athens
Befriending the Greek bird at the edge of a cliff.
Amreen has a very roomy backpack
I am a very talented yogi.
- King Nanabono
(Chicken)


Rhodes was amazing and there was so much to do there
When Chelsea got her hair stuck in the tree that was really funny!
That Leah buys A LOT when she has the money and the time
I seriously need to travel more I’m missing out
-Jordan H

Rhodes
Being harassed by the sales men
Lots of crazy people on this trip
I love 2 travel
-Emily

The Greek Islands! (shopping in Mykonos and Rhodes)
The picture that Mitchell H. drew of Emily on the bus
Emily loves Greek salad and Monika loves kalamari
I can do anything no matter how sick I feel!
-VaNeSsA


All of the Greek Islands.
The fishermen singing to us in the smelly fish market.
Gillian and Julia are very messy room mates.
I’m sad to be coming home.
Alyssa


Getting lost in Rhodes
Nic getting petted and mistaken for an 8 year old by an old greek man
Taka loosing things very easily
I now hate whispers and bus rides
-Geoff


Rhodes and Pompeii were both amazing
Mitchell’s impression of that old man saying OPAH!!!
Sean is always last
I kind of love getting lost
-Holly


St. Peter’s Cathedral – Breathtaking!
Our group finding the stray dogs and cats more interesting than the archeological sites
You really find out who a person is after spending two weeks with them in the same room
I discovered that I love both coffee and olives, who knew!?!
- Rowan


Walking around Rhodes was amazing!
As much as I hated them sometimes, Lance’s interesting brown` jokes.
Mitchell M. likes to make weird noises and faces. It’s funny.`
I can’t sleep on buses or airplanes- only on beds with nice comfy pillows.
Amreen


The Vatican was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen
How I was petted by five different people on the trip (all men)
That Geoff drinks way to much Coke
That I want to live in Europe one day
- Nic


Sistine Chapel was still the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, even for the 2nd time!
Taka always being sick!
The Italy boys are crazy and wee a bit scary.
But beside from some bad times and some good times I loved it, I would love to live in Europe too!
Also Alyssa, Camille, and Lucia are the greatest friends!
-Chelsea


Mykonos and Rhodos are by far the most beautiful places I have ever been to, and I would love to go back someday.
Besides the 4 hour long bus rides everything was awesome!
I felt like Payam was here the entire trip, even though he wasn’t…
-Lucia`

We’ve run out of time and battery power. We’ll recharge in London and let the rest post in the morning.
See you all at the airport- domestic arrivals, our flight in at 5:55 PM no customs just baggage claim. Be prepared to have your ears talked off.
Mr. B

Day 10 Athens

Student Blog Day!

The Parthenon was amazing but it RAINED SO HARD LATER. I have also realized how much I appreciate oil and vinegar for bread.
Kira

We took one of the best chicken photos in front of the Parthenon. I got a sunburn at the start of the day and then almost drowned during the rain/thunderstorm later on.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Keara

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Keara and I spoke in bad Irish accents for the duration of the afternoon. Evidently, they don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Greece.
Meghan

After walking through the local meat markets today, I am glad to be a vegetarian.
Lauren

Today we went to The Acropolis and after we went on a tour of the fish and meat markets before having free time. Mitchell, Taka, Ben, Shane, Will and I were in an elevator and after we got out we all started laughing at how much the elevator smelt of fish from our clothes.
Nic

The Parthenon was great but it rained…A LOT.
Emily

The weather here changes quite quickly. From a beautiful sunny morning at the Parthenon to the worst rain possible in Athens. Shopping was still fun of course despite the heavey downpour! Emily is evil! NOT! IS SO! IS NOT!
~VaNeSsA

The Parthenon was incredible… but it was sad how much of it was gone. It was also pretty sunny in the morning, but I was glad to have my umbrella in the afternoon… all the rain did not make the walk and shopping too much fun.
Moniika

Today was the most wondrous of days. The rain was lovely, reminiscent of the usual weather in Vancouver. Gillian bought a spectacular dress, Julia bought two pairs of shoes (one suede, one wonverse), Lucia bought many plausible items, and Alyssa stole plentiful gifts for her awaiting family.
~Gillian, Julia, Lucia, and Alyssa
Ya sas!

I made a very good friend at Mycenae, unfortunately they may have given me fleas.
-Ben


Today was pretty fun seeing the Acropolis; the weather was amazing up until we had free time, that’s when it started pouring down on us, besides that I had a great time as to all the other days I’ve spent in Europe!
-Taka Akiyama

Today Shane Taylor…. Neeevermind… well, today it rained a whole bunch when we were shopping. I got a shirt too! ☺ and we also visited the Acropolis at Athens and a bunch of locations in Athens (and it didn’t rain then)
-Lance

The Parthenon was absolutely breathtaking, as was the view from the Acropolis. Had a great time shopping in Athens even though it was raining so hard that it made us Vancouver locals run for cover.
-Geoff

Greece, as well as the rest of Europe, has been astoundingly beautiful and I don’t think I have ever had so much history crammed into my brain in such a short span of time. Unfortunately, St. Patty’s Day isn’t greatly celebrated in Greece, but we’ve made do.
-Camille

This trip so far has been the single greatest vacation of my life. I loved the Parthenon even though it was under construction. I can’t even imagine how beautiful it would have been if it hadn’t been! During our free time, it rained so hard that we had to go into a café even thought we didn’t buy anything.
-Connor

I owe my newfound liking for olives and coffee entirely to this trip. The history contained in the cities we have visited is so unlike anything Canada has to offer. I know that I must return here someday. I hope it is snowing in Vancouver. Hahaha >:D
-Rowan W.

Today was amazing, especially walking through the sketchy side streets of Athens and trying to convince salesmen that we Vancouverites didn’t need an umbrella. The Parthenon was huge but no one could pay attention with the magical tomato and pig bubble toys that were being sold by the vendors.
-Sean

The Acropolis was amazing, though all the construction on the Parthenon was quite distracting. The hotel is fine. Shopping around Athens was fun, and the rain was even better. It was pouring down so hard, and none of the streets were made for rain, it was great. Everyone else ran for cover, but I stuck to the middle of the streets. The rain was so refreshing and it felt a lot like home. So many people tried to sell me umbrellas, but I chose to play in the rain. It really sucked when I went in to a café and my jeans were suctioned to my leg because of the wet, and the cold air was no longer very refreshing. Just cold.
-Will

All of the sites that we saw today were amazing: the first Olympic stadium and the Acropolis. The fish, meat and veggie markets were cool but all of the smelled really bad. The shopping was amazing until it started to pour than it was just a game to stay out of the rain. The roads went from being roads to being rivers and that made it a challenge to walk around. But over all the day was great.
-Peter

The parts of the Parthenon that were not covered by scaffolding were pretty amazing and the view was incredible. However getting lost in a Greek marketplace in the middle of a thunderstorm is not so fun, thankfully there are plenty of guys with umbrellas to sell to you. The trip overall though has been absolutely incredible. It’s hard to believe that such places actually existed.
-Dylan™

Some parts of this trip are sketchy, and everything else is old. I think a five year old could have wrote that. But I definitely feel like a five year old in a candy shop with all these ruins that I have seen on television. So far Saint Peter’s Basilica was the highlight of the trip so far, because regardless of how old and historical it is, some parts are still being used today. Going to all these places seems unreal, it almost seems as if I’m going to a replica of the actual place. That’s quite weird to be honest.
-Hijo (Mitch M)

Today was pretty good. The Parthenon was really cool and the view for up there was amazing. The tour guide was a bit boring though, and all those illegal venders selling those dumb things were so annoying! Seriously, they wouldn’t go away! Anyway, when we went shopping later that day and it started to rain, I was so mad because I was wearing a T-shirt with no rain jacket or hoodie so I got soaked. But then a jeweler gave me a pullover for warmth and that was really cool. So hospitable!
-Jordan

Day 8 & 9 Ephesus and Mycenae

Blogged by Leah, Mitchell H, Holly, and Amreen

Ephesus:
For those who didn’t need to catch up on some extra sleep, they enjoyed a trip to Patmos. Patmos is a small but intriguing island, filled with many animals and small shops. This island was also where St John wrote the Book of Revelation.
What an amazing city. The columns and cobblestones echo of the great civilization that stood there during antiquity. As we enter, we are surrounded by culture: great statues and the old water systems, the tomb of Memmius, Sulla’s grandson, and the third largest ancient library in the world. Our tour guide’s patriotism was apparent as he raved of his beautiful country and the amazing city of Ephesus.

Mycenae:
Woke up at 6 to get off the cruise by 8. Mitchell’s room was out much earlier than that, as they were attacked by the scary maid. Off the ship we went, and onto the bus.
Everyone was tired, Holly. But excited for what we were going to see… what was it we saw?
We were excited to go to Epidaurus and see the amazing theater there. The guide was very touchy, and believed in the Greek gods. He did seem confused, since he called Mitchell M. a beautiful boy…
He did know a lot, Mitchell
He talked about the crazy Fibonacci thing, Amreen
We entered the theater and sang happy birthday to a very ecstatic Meghan. This performance was followed by a beautiful serenade by Taka (backup singer Duynstee)
Lunch was interesting. A crazy old man came up while we were eating our lamb and fries and he just stood there and croaked out Opa. Then we heard a large crash. We spun around to find a broken plate and a crazy old man.
He was cute! Amreen
Ya, but he seemed scary at first, Holly
He had brain damage… Leah
We ventured next to Mycenae. This city was the home of King Agamemnon, conqueror during the Trojan War. We entered into an old tomb before we reached the real city.
Creepy, dark, Amreen
The big round one? Mitchell
Yup, Amreen
It was a big cone shape, Mitchell
Yes, a cone, Amreen
Chelsea took a picture, and it looked like there were crazy orbs and things in there, so we ran out, Mitchell
When I got out, I shuddered; it gave me shivers, Holly. Our guide wouldn’t go in.
Back onto the bus and a one minute trip up to Mycenae. The city was impressive. The walls reached up to the top of the hill it sat on and rolling flowers covered the land.
Big, high, Mitchell
Huge, Amreen
The city was really steep to sprint up. We raced to the top, Ben and I. It was very green and rocky, surrounded by mountains. It seemed like a good fortress. Holly
We could see the harbour from the top of the mountain. Leah
AND, when I was taking a picture of the mountains, I heard a scream behind me. I turned around to find Chelsea’s hair stuck in a tree. I immediately burst out laughing and took many pictures. Mitchell
Ben met a friendly dog. They raced all over the mountain. He was really sad when we had to say goodbye to her. Holly
We arrived at the swanky hotel in the sketchy neighborhood. To our left, the city. To the right, the Red Light district. Mitchell Morales encountered strange events on his night in Athens, but you’ll hear about that later.
For dinner, we had spaghetti and Greek salad and more meat. So much meat. Some people went for a walk, but the rest crashed. Tired after a long day, we fell asleep the second our heads hit the pillow.

Days 7

Day 7- Rhodes

Saturday was Rhodes. We assembled on the dock at 9:30 and then walked to one of the seven city gates. Rhodes is one of the largest "living" walled cities in Europe- eight thousand residents behind enormous medieval walls. The students were given the morning and lunch to explore. "Anywhere?" they asked. Anywhere within the walls- great fun. Everyone found places to shop, eat or "get lost" in. We told them when you hit the walls turn left or right and keep going until you get back here- our meeting spot. No one needed to do that despite the confusing warren of alleyways and streets. The tourist season hasn't arrived yet so we plenty of room to roam. This also meant that the shopkeepers and resuarant owners were relaxed and cheerful. This is not always the case during the high season when tens of thousands are squeezing their way through the narrow streets. In the afternoon we had a more formal tour of the old city which we had been exploring and bused to the Acropolis of Rhodes- fantastic view of the harbour and city. Late dinner on ship. Bed (we didn't even need to say it).

Itinerary update:
Our hotel in Athens is the King Jason Hotel
+30 210 52 34 721
26 Kolonou Street, Athens

A five minute walk to the Plaka!

Day 6- Mykonos

Friday saw us crossing the Corinth Canal to Piraeus the port of Athens. Once we found all our rooms, we went through a muster drill, comical looking I'm sure. If the students remembered their cameras, I'm sure those pictures will make it to their Facebook pages soon. They were all happy to see the buffet tables. You may have heard the cheers and the resulting gnashing of teeth all they way to Vancouver. We arrived in Mykonos at sunset. A walk through the town (it is quite small) and a little souvenir shopping followed. Mykonos has the whitewashed building, brightly coloured shutters and the narrow alleyways you associate with the Greek islands. We hope our nighttime photos will do it justice.

Day 5, Olympia and Tolo

A short drive brought us to Olympia the site of the original Olympic games. Its like a park with three thousand year old ruins. It was raining when we arrived, but the gods saw fit to part the clouds and we walked through the site in the sun (birds signing- cue music). We scattered through the small town and found lunch- Greek food of course ( here they just call it “food’). We crossed the Peloponnese on winding mountain roads. Wonderful views. As it got dark, fog set in on a thin highway with no lights, few guardrails and switchbacks of unbelievable sharpness. The fog would lift for a moment to reveal we were thousands of feet above the coast and swinging around impossible turns. We could see the lights of the towns along the coast as we descended (very stunning).

We have had a change of itinerary. Our booked cruise has been cancelled (the ship is not sailing). We've booked an alternate cruise that starts tomorrow. This was beyond our control.

Our new boat is the Aquamarine of Louis Cruises, 004751407250. We leave Piraeus at 11:00 am Friday. First stop Mykonos! We return to Athens on Monday. Yes a day has been shaved off the cruise, but we’ll develop a great new option for the extra day next week.

Our new hotel and number will follow soon. No changes to our return flights.

Day 4 Pompeii and the ferry

Our tour director said we couldn’t possibly be ready as quickly and as early as we promised. To which our students replied, “Oh, no he didn’t!” We got away early (5:30) without a hitch (Oh, yes we did!) Wait, one hitch someone forgot their pajamas in Rome (name withheld). We arrived in Pompeii at 9:30 after a snack stop and chocolate buying spree.
Pompeii was spectacular. A large site that gave us a sense of what a Roman city was like. Students can describe the tour highlights later. Suffice it to say the art preserved in some of the rooms was interesting.
We drove across the ankle (?) of the boot of Italy after stopping for a photo-op on the Amalfi Coast. It was breathtaking, and everyone marked that down as a place to visit in the future.
We made the ferry at Brindisi with time to spare. Small but comfortable rooms. Grumpy staff in the café (some things are the same no matter where you travel).
Tomorrow we will awake in Greece (that sounds wrong). Tomorrow we will embark at Patras (that sounds better).

A busy Day 3- Tuesday March 10th

We had hoped to let a student or two post blogs today. But it is the end of a long day and they need their rest.
We started at 7:30 and saw the Italian countryside as we rode in. Our hotel is in a town perched on a small mountain overlooking the countryside. It looks impressive from the valley floor. Vatican and Sistene Chapel were fantastic. We think the students were suitably impressed. Lunch. The Coliseum was great and our guide filled with knowledge. We walked Rome in the afternoon: Trevi, Pantheon and Navoina Piazza. After a little free time, we crossed the Tiber at the bridge to Castel St. Angelo. As the sun set we walked the beautiful approach to St. Peter's to get the full effect of the whole place- a great photo-op that everyone can share with you. Dinner in a local restaurant and then 'home' by 10. We start for Pompeii at 5:30 which means wake up at 4:45. You might have heard the goans all the way to Vancouver. They can sleep on the bus though.
So much already seen, so much yet to see.
Mr. B

safe in Italy

Well after a long and arduous journey we have arrived safe and sound in Italy. Just finished a nummy meal of pasta, polenta with spicy sausage and strawberry pannacotta! The hotel is quaint and charming but a little isolated. The kids are very excited about their rooms and have been snapping photos like mad. Tomorrow morning we are up very early for the trip into Rome to see the Vatican, the Collosseum and a few other sites of Rome.

One day to departure. Very exciting. We should remember that it is daylight savings tonight. We gather at 4pm at the airport tomorrow. Passports are not to be forgotten, unless we secretly wish to leave you behind. Just kidding. But not really. Hope to see you all there, and get ready for our amazing trip!

Flight and hotel information

flights:

• March 8th

7:05 PM Vancouver- 11:45AM London(H) Air Canada # 854
2:15 PM London- 5:40 PM Rome British Airways # 556

• March 20th

7:25 PM Athens- 9:25 PM London(H) British Airways # 633
Overnight in London

• March 21st

11:05 AM London(H)-2:15 PM Edmonton Air Canada # 899
5:15 PM Edmonton- 5:55PM Vancouver Air Canada #251

Hotels:

• March 9 &10th

Hotel Villa La Rocca +39 0 694 715 94
Via Dei Castelli Romani 1
Rocca Priora, Italy

• March 11th

Lux Viagga (ferry transport) +39 02 84 894 607
Night of March 12th
Hotel Soleil +30 (0) 275 20 595 03
Main street of Tolo
Tolo, Greece

• March 13th, 14th, 15th

Austria Hotel +30 210 32 16 777
7 Mousson Street
Athens, Greece

• March16th, 17th, 18th,19th

Vision Star +30 211 100 2020
Night of March 20th
Premier Inn Hounslow +44 (0) 870 607 50 75
15 Bath Road
Harlington, Hounslow
London, United Kingdom