ATHENS: 6th June 1958
My Darling Children,
Tuesday, 3rd June: We got up rather late this morning as we had no plans to visit any places in particular, which served us as a bit of rest. Even today both of us still had, on occasions, felt the "roll" of the plane. After a late breakfast, however, we walked about the Town. We had lunch at a small Restaurant near our Hotel after which we went to the Post Office to post some cards and a letter to you. We had a few hours rest before walking about again and later bought a couple of souvenirs. We then had drinks at an open air Restaurant very close to our Hotel. Open air Restaurants are a popular feature of Athens. There people sat back and watched the crowd and the traffic and enjoying the cooler evening air.
We had dinner at the same Restaurant where we had lunch. We tried a sepaghati dish and were disappointed. We later left for a visit of Athens by night. It was quite a beatiful drive through wall illuminated streets and we eventually proceeded to a sea-side town called PIRAEUS. We stopped at an open air Restaurant facing the sea and were served with wine and fish - small fish the Greeks called "Madera". It was thin and small and looked like "ikan belanak". On our way back to Athens we stopped at a road-side open air jaunt where there was a floor show - an Eastern dance, a Greek dance and a Spanish dance. There was a French singer a Miss SAUVAGE of whose singing we got fed-up, not that she didn't sing quite well but because she sang too many numbers in a row. We left rather late and got back to our Hotel at about 2.00AM.
Wednesday, 4th June: We have decided to go round the city both in the morning and afternoon. We had breakfast as usual at the Hotel. I might explain breakfast consisted only of rolls (bread) - 2 each, butter, marmalade and coffee. On our tour we passed the National Library, the University, the Royal Palace and stopped at the Olympic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch. The Stadium as you may know was built about a century ago and is capable of accomodating 50,000. It looked small because, I think the running track was oval! The first Olympic Games were held here.
In the afternoon we passed the House of Parliament and stopped on the Hill of Muses, Theatre of Dionysis and the famous ACROPOLIS. Parliament is in recess now and we therefore had no opportunity of going into the building. There were two Guards dressed in national costumes standing watch at the bottom of the Parliament Building which was overlooking the Constitution Square. This Square is just across the road from our Hotel. The Guards stand for about one hour hardly moving. After passing Parliament House we had a glimpse of foreign Embassies. Of course, we have not established one here yet and I wouldn't think that we should do so in the near future.
We then went up the ACROPOLIS from where we could get a commanding view of the City and it's prominent Parks, Buildings and Churches. There was a great deal of history behind the Acropolis. It's artistic architecture and solid columns were a great feature of this Temple of the Greeks. Greece is a country of a very old civilisation - thousands of years before Christ. There were so many things - statues, Temples, ruins, pottery etc - dating so long back through history. I am afraid we cannot claim to any such position but I am sure we in Malaya have a few things to preserve. Unfortunately we are more inclined to destroy! The Greek National Museum, which we visited were full of old exhibits.
At the Acropolis Mak was again the focus of attention except this time it was divided between her and an Indian lady. There was also the Chines lady from Hong Kong but she did not so much attract attention as she was dressed in cheongsam which was very nearly a gown. Anyway, when an old American (?) lady asked to take a photograph of the Asian group so many cameras clicked. Incidentally Mak is still embarassed by the attention of local people - males and females alike - to her way of dress. Some ladies literally gaped with open mouth, stopped and stared. If only a Press photographer was about I flattered to think that she might get into the newspapers. Some people asked where we came from. Although some pretended they know Malaya. I had very good reason to guess that they were all very vague about it. Many people thought we were from Siam or Indo-China.
We returned to the Hotel and after a bath went out to dinner. Tonight we tried "Leg of Chicken in Rice Supreme". It was such an oily stuff. Anyway we had some taste of rice! Later in the evening we sat at an open air Restaurant near our Hotel till 10.30pm drinking coffee. A cup of coffee costs 7 Drs (pronounced 'drakhmas') equivalent to about 80 cents Malayan. Ver expensive indeed.
On our way back we met the Indian couple and got to talking about ourselves. We told them that we had 10 children and they complained that they had none. They thought I was a very rich man who could afford to go round the world while having 10 children!
(NOTE: While writing this letter Mak asked me to remind you to keep the gold necklace which she left in Jalil's cupboard)
Thursday,5th June: We went round the City a bit in the morning and doing a little shopping of souvenirs. Mak bought a pair of shoes costing Drs 185. At lunch met the Chinese couple. In the afternoon we walked to the National Park - a coolplace full of shade trees. Nothing exceptional. We then went to the King's Palace. We were advised that the Guards would change at 7pm but after waiting a bit it didn't appear to happen. The King's Palace is situated within a cluster of trees hardly capable of being seen clearly. Not possible therefore to describe it. Had dinner. We had chicken and also asked for plain rice. Did not enjoy it very much as the rice was boiled, it seems in oil.
Friday, 6th June: Got up rather early as we were going to one of the neighbouring islands called AEGINA ISLAND. We left Athens by bus at 7.15AM for PIRAEUS ( the place where we visited on the night of the 3rd) from where we left by lunch. It ook us 1 1/2 hours to get there. AEGINA ISLAND is a fisherman's island. We went to a Monastery on the top of a hill and later to the ruins of an old Temple. We then went to a rural sea-side Restaurant for avery wholesome tiffin - the best we have had so far. Even Mak enjoyed it! There was about 2 hours wait and indeed most of us had a good nap. Later we were taken round the Town walking through very narrow streets. During this trip we met some nice people who were also on tour. There were Mr & Mrs Harvey a pilot of the KLM Airways. They live at AMSTERDAM and they have asked us to look them up when we get there.
There was an incident which I should not forget to tell you. When we visited the ruins of the Temple I mentioned earlier, a number of School children gathered around Mak & myself staring at Mak's dress and guessing where we came from. None of them - including the old Teacher - was correct. Some thought we were Burmese, some guessed we were Japanese and that Mak was dressed in a kimono and others thought we were Siamese. When I told the where we came from even the Teacher didn't know where Malaya was! What a shame!! I wish I had taken a nice picture of the crowd but unfortunately I was unable to do so.
Well be leaving for Rome tomorrow.
Until later salam, love and kisses to all - Sayang, Adek, Intan, Kuntom, Nor, Adek Shor, Nan, Nah, Ajid & Yong. Sembah salam to Tah and Salam to Tok Leha, Mak Yah, Pi'ei & others.
Yours Ever,
Bapak & Mak
P.S. Herewith two pictures takenat the ACROPOLIS. Behind one you'll notice signatures of those photographed.
P.P.S. You can show these letters to Yang and Pa' Shaarir if they come to visit you. Salam also to Pa' Hussin & Pa' Hitam laki isteri.
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