Mick's World Tour

Santorini and Paros

Santorini and my little gutless moto

Me after my Intro to Scuba - very nice.

Santorini Sunset

Santorini Sunrise

Gediminas Dice on the Boat

A great night out in Paros with Siri and Brahim

My Bike Ride around Paros Island - tough...

More from Athens soon.....

Athens

Quick one......

I'm back in Athens and loving the 'begins at midnight' nightlife, plus the paraolympic games. (other than waiting 50 minutes to get a hotdog when I didn't want one.... Greek people have a very different attitude to queues, customer service and politeness... anyway!)

Saw Australian women win wheel chair basketball by 1 point which was great. And the blind swimming and long jump which was amazing.

All good.

Back to London on Wednesday.

P.S. I am no longer white. I am off white. This Greek sun is blistering!!!

Tom???

I found this pic on Rowan's blog.

Tom - you look great. It is your best side!!!

Side Point.....

Blog moment from Bella!

The A-Team

So my Greece plans were "smashed" by Bernard. Or really just changed - for the better. I met up with Bernard, Keavo and Jim at Athens airport for a couple of days swooshing around the Pellopenese (anything south of Corinth).

Finally got to swim in beautiful water - yes. Even did some snorkelling with Bernie and Jim - quality.

Then we saw a couple of old towns with Bernard grabbing the camera and putting together his first short film (straight to VHS). The book said the Monemvasia would make you go Wow - and they were right. It did take a couple of minutes, but after a big walk up the hill and some lovely ruins we all pretty much went wow.

We headed down to Gythio which was going to be my new launching pad to Santorini (via Crete where I am now). Stayed at a pretty nice place by the beach where the Gythio non-handicapped Gift was held. It was Bernard by a hair to me, then Jim, but Jim sacrificed a possible silver medal to ankle tap Bernard - I just think he wanted the BERMAGUI BRONZE.

Last day with the A-team (due to their van) was a boat tour of some caves. Very cool and slightly dangerous.

I'd like to really take my hat off to the A-Team - they are a slick bunch of travelling professionals who can pack, cook, play games, swim, shower, change, shop with all the ability of a crack commando squad. And their ability to keep to a budget has taught me some lessons. One day off the team and I'm already breaking the rules. Anyway, it was really great travelling with them - Thanks guys.

In the next episode: Crete - why are ferries not like little boats?

Berlin Rising

I didn't take my camera out last night, which was good because I didn't have to camera man, but it meant that I need to make sure I remember my night out in Berlin.

Drinks started at about 9pm, then we had 2 euro pizza (chicken, spinach and mushrooms) at 10pm, more drinking until about 12 pm, then we get ready and head out.

First place is a very relaxed, almost ranch near a river. Rocking horses and bean bags dot the floor along with 10 different styled couches. Meet up with some of Britt's friends and I start chatting to Gabriel, a drunk Italian guy living in Munich, visiting Berlin. He is excited to talk because he is coming to Australia to study next year. He is one of the many unemployed of Berlin and Germany - very tough right now with 10% country wide and more than 17% in Berlin.... Anyway, we talk about rent, living, and get onto sports. He is an old football (soccer) player and is excited when I tell him I want to play some tomorrow (given it's 2pm and I just got up, it is unlikely). "Meeek - my legs are vibrating with excitement at the thought of playing football. COME ON!".

Then I chatted to a funky young girl who is in love with a tall guy I also just met. She tells goes on to tell me in some detail about her sex life from the age of 14, which has me spellbound of course.

We eventually head off to a nightclub where Britt's funky artist housemate is a selector (someone who decides who gets in and who doesn't). The place is really amazing, right on a river and with funky hardcore beats upstairs and slightly smoother sounds downstairs. You can also walk out onto a wharf and sit by the river. The dj has a shirt on that says "Drum machines have no soul"

We meet a tree surgeon from Preston, England who works in Berlin buy hates trying to speak german. He buys Britt and I a gin and we chat about the biggest raves we've been on. I don't contribute much. He tries to get Britt's number, but she holds firm. He finishes with "Keep in touch".

It is 5am and we head to get a Curry wurst sausage. The place is closed so we head to get a kebab. Very nice and with turkish bread, not pita. We grab some extra food and head to Britt's friends place who has roof terrace over looking Berlin. The sun comes up as we sit by the fire laughing. Gabrielle (the leg vibrating Italian) is wrapped in a blanket and mumbles every so often. I try to keep the fire going but blow ash on Britt.

7am and we head home to finally sleep.

I will not soon forget my conversation with Bigge, the light on the river next to the night club or the light over Berlin as the sun somes up.

:)