Positives

Thanks to unbelievably clear streaming, i was able to watch Liverpool crash out of the Carling Cup on Veetle. Why wasn't Starhub broadcasting the match anyway! Of course i'm never happy to see the team get knocked out, i'm not totally upset either. For those who didn't manage to catch the game, let me describe the many positives i saw.

Liverpool changed most of the starting line up, with only Kuyt and Insua remaining from last weekend's win over Utd. Spearing and Plessis played in the middle, and i was rather satisfied with the both of them actually. Spearing obviously fighting for his place. Ngog did well in the first half, showing the potential he has. Degen playing his 5th game for the team showing a willingness to get forward. Younger players showing a willingness to work hard. Happy with the slick passing as well (at times)!

It was the day for long range shooting. Babel, Voronin, Spearing and of course Insua all giving it a go. Spearing's attempts landed in row Z, but most were on target. Insua produced a contender for goal of the month. A swerving dipping volley that stunned the keeper and left him helpless. Insua is really stepping up. He should be encouraged to shoot more =)


Finally, we have the long awaited Alberto Aquilani making his debut. The former Roma man arrived in the summer carrying an ankle injury. The medical team decided to take their time with him, and hopefully his problems are behind him. He came on in the final 13 mins, and though obviously lacking match fitness, showed glimpses of what we can expect from him.

Looking composed on the ball, and showing a range of passing that Liverpool have missed since Alonso left. Something he did made me break into a smile and gave me goose bumps. Receiving the ball inside the Liverpool half, he looked up and delivered a pin point cross field 40m pass to the right, releasing a Liverpool player behind the Arsenal left back. This was something that Alonso used to do all the time. Mascherano must be happy that he won't have to stand in the role of creator any longer. Aquilani also reacted first to a loose ball outside the box to to fire long range, but straight at the keeper. Something i felt was missing recently is Liverpool's lack of confidence. Benayoun and Kuyt, indispensable players, are both rather shy in front of goal. When presented with an opening, they rarely have the confidence to shoot, and the chance usually goes begging. Hopefully occupying the attacking midfielder position will encourage long range efforts, Stevie G style. An athletic bicycle kick that deflected off an Arsenal arm also suggests that the Italian isn't going to shy from goalscoring duties.

Losing to a immensely talented young Arsenal side is no shame. These 18, 19, 20 year olds + a few oldies, played with such confidence and style. If they all stay and develop, it's scary to imagine an Arsenal team in 3 years, minimal money spent. Really hope the Carling Cup goes to Arsenal, so i can say that we lost to the eventual winners =)

350

Athens

Long long looooong break from blogging! Guess i needed a break after returning to Singapore. (not to mention the frustration of uploading photos with an unsually slow internet connection) But i intend to finish documenting my entire SEP experience on this blog.. before perhaps starting a new one.. =)

I'll have to dig deep into my memory simply coz it's been 2 months since i returned! Hopefully i don't miss out too many details!

So the gang flew budget from Barcelona to Athens. A cheap Ryanair flight (as usual) left us having to spend half the night at the airport. We arrived in the middle of the night, rested on some couches, then travelled to our hostel at first light. We stayed just at the foot of the historical Acropolis! In a rather touristy area with many nice shops and restaurants =)

Athens Intro:
Athens, the capital city of Greece has a population of about 3.5 million people. It is surrounded on 3 sides by 3 mountains/hills. In many ways, it is considered the birthplace of Classical Greece and therefore of Western civilization. The city is named after the Goddess Athena and it hosted the 2004 Olympics. =)

The first thing i noticed about Greece is the language. The phrase "It all seems like Greek to me!" suddenly made sense. I felt like i was in a physics class. With familiar symbols like phi, psi, rho, lumda, alpha and pi making up the alphabets. Another thing i love about Athens is that with my Finnish Student card.. i can enter almost ALL the sites for FREE.. i like!

Athens has a really impressive (if limited) metro system. The stations/trains are really clean/fast/efficient. Better than many other metros we've experienced in Europe that's for sure!

Starting with the most famous site.. the Acropolis..

If you like ruins, Athens is for you..

Theatre of Dionysius

The Acropolis was an ancient fortified town on a hill.. (climbing up the hill).. Here is where we saw a random tortoise climbing up the hill with us.. (?@!)

A larger outdoor theatre (modernized and used for concerts etc)

Sweaty but worth it..

Restoration works are always ongoing..

Temple of Athena Nike

The Parthenon!..

By this time (about 11.30am).. the crowds are beginning to stream in.. and of course the sun is killing us on this cloudless (almost) day..

An overview of the city.. notice that the surrounding mountains caused it to be kinda smoggy..

I really don't know what building this is.. even though i like this photo haha..

Oops.. Genga Genga!

These marble columns are amazingly well crafted.. and are huge!

Get out before the (other) tourists come in!

Walking down hill.. towards the..

Ancient Agora.. A garden/space where people used to gather and talk politics/philosophies =) ..

The Temple of Hephaestus.. the most well preserved Greek Temple..

New developmental projects still uncover ruins.. New buildings next to ancient sites..

I love the bustling Greece restaurants/markets..

Not all ancient!

Temple of Olympian Zeus..

Only the ruins are left of course.. a bunch of pillars.

But what i like about this site is that it has a buffer zone of green space.. A large compound with some ruins in the middle.. good for pictures.. =)

I love my mini tripod.. This would make a nice Album Cover if we're a band..

???

Greek beer.. pronounced as ALFA..

Nice meal with really hospitable restaurant people.. i like Souvlakis!

Day out to nearby island of Aegina..

Outside the Port of Athens train station..

Busy streets..

1 1/2 hr journey..

Clear blue waters..

Cramping on a bus..

We got lost for a while.. coz of crazy maps.. but finally arrived at..

the beach! Spent a couple of hrs there.. and then it's time to catch the last ferry back..

on the bus..

The guys trying to act cool while waiting for the ferry..

Nguyen and i in front of a tiny Greek church..

really clear waters..

Jack and his kung fu photography pose..

Scroll up and notice that Toni is wearing Jack's shirt!

Wei Sing showing off her yummy caramelized nuts..

Seagulls following a small fishing vessel..

Cheers!

Yum..

The last day in Athens we visited the National Archeological Museum of Athens..

Toni admiring a bronze sculpture of Poseidon or Zeus.. they're not sure..

300!

There are just so so so many precious relics in Greece.. that they don't have enough space to store them..

Saying bye to the museum!

Happy Birthday to Ri Hao and i! (at a local fastfood restaurant)

We had a group hug and said our goodbyes at a shopping centre.. coz Ri Hao, Wei Sing and i were continuing our journey while the rest were returning to Helsinki.. It has been a wonderful trip thus far.. =)

Looking forward to the next destination.. Thessaloniki!