Landing in Athens was quite a shift after the gleaming modernity of Dubai. Dubai’s clean, futuristic vibe made Athens feel a bit grittier and more aged in comparison. However, Athens possesses a unique character that shines through its historical charm.

Our journey from the airport was eventful, to say the least. We took the bus into the city, where a rather pushy taxi driver grabbed our suitcases, loaded them into his car and insisted on helping us. Although his approach was rude, it turned out to be a relief since we were unsure of our destination. The rather short ride to our hotel cost us €30, which felt like a bit of a rip-off. Greece is currently facing financial hardship, and it seems to be causing desperation for money among some of the people here.

We soon met up with my aunt, uncle and cousin and set off to explore Athens. The city is a blend of ancient and modern, with its bustling streets filled with the sights and sounds of both history and contemporary life. Stray cats and dogs are a common sight, adding to the city’s unique ambience.

Our hotel has a rooftop pool with great views overlooking a skyline that’s scattered with satellite dishes and the Acropolis on top of the mountain in the distance. It’s such a contrast of the different times.

Yesterday we started our journey to the Meteora monasteries in central Greece. The journey through the picturesque countryside, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, was breathtaking. Our initial tour guide in Delphi left much to be desired, but our new guide, despite mixing up English and French, was an improvement.

The monasteries themselves are perched on high cliffs, accessible by a climb of 604 steps. Visitors, including us, had to wear skirts to enter. The views were incredible!

The monks’ use of baskets for transport added to the place’s mystical aura. Trying out the baskets would have been quite an experience!

We’re now heading back to Athens to spend the night before embarking on a cruise tomorrow. Despite the early wake-up calls, we are thoroughly enjoying our adventure. I’ve been jotting down these updates on my phone, so I apologise for any errors.

One fascinating aspect of travel is discovering each country’s unique toilet technologies and local chocolate flavours (the Arabian chocolate, in my opinion, was not great). Despite these quirks, I find myself wanting to revisit every place we’ve been to!