Athina Manola | Athina Travels the World | Travel Blogger

Athina Manola | Athina Travels the World | Travel Blogger

Athena is widely traveled in the world, almost all over Europe, but also in countries of America, Africa and Asia. She has her own travel blog athinatravelstheworld.blogspot.com, with a lot of information from many countries such as food, transportation within the country, etc.

Tell us a little about Athina Travels the world and its theme

Athina Travels the World

On my blog athinatravelstheworld.blogspot.com, I mainly describe personal travel experiences.

Of course, I’m referring to the sights (which one can easily do by looking at the relevant sources on the internet), but mainly I’m trying to give some useful information that will help travelers. Some of them, especially in the distant and non-mainstream destinations, I make sure that they are mainly those that are not widely found on the internet, so that my experiences can be used by the readers.

Trans-Siberian Railway Network

You took a trip with the Trans-Siberian.
We would like to tell us about your experiences from this trip

The trip with the Trans-Siberian was the longest I have ever done and lasted 40 days. The route, the life on the train, the contact with the other fellow travelers, the landscapes, especially those of Mongolia were the things that impressed me the most. I will use the trite term “trip of a lifetime” because it tested my endurance. I also discovered that I have more adaptability than I thought. It was a crash test for even more demanding trips.

Trans-Siberian Railway Network

Our wagon was almost full. One British family, two Dutch couples, two young French, three Spanish families, a young Mongolian with her child, us and three Russians, in full … joy! In our compartment we again had the protection of the police: Our co-passenger, a short Mongolian policeman. From the corridor window, waving his hand for a while, he said goodbye with a smile to his wife and his three daughters, who were crying uncontrollably amid the infinite ruffles and bows of their pink dresses.

Their dad would be gone for three whole months to train at a Moscow police academy. But the short and wily Mongolian, as soon as he was done with the emotional goodbyes, turned all his attention to his hot young colleague in the next compartment. He was going up and down the bunk all the time and from the “hiding place” above his bed, i.e. the luggage area, he took out various goodies, mainly a bottle from the valiant supply of alcohol he kept in a large cardboard box. He kept it all excited and pointedly pointed at us as if to say “we’re going to have crazy feasts these four days!”, while heading to the next compartment … more: Trans-Siberian-Super-Mongolian, Day 30

How many countries have you traveled to and which country touched you the most?

I find it difficult to answer. Perhaps because my trip to Japan is recent, I will say that I was overly impressed by this country. I will use the words of a friend: On one side Japan and on the other the rest of the planet.

Mongolia

I was mostly touched by the approach of the Japanese towards their visitors. I felt really hosted and welcomed. Politeness, social solidarity, taught from childhood, order, organization, the feeling of security, to the highest degree.

For me, the country I visit is not only about its sights, but also about its people. On the other hand, Mongolia is an unexpected surprise, a poor but developing country with little traffic. Stunning landscapes and noble and incredibly welcoming people.

The countries that Athina Manola has visited

Europe: Serbia, N. Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Italy, Vatican City, St. Marino, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Andorra, Portugal, Gibraltar, Cyprus.
America: USA, Canada, Cuba
Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Sudan
Asia: China, Mongolia, Japan
Middle East: United Arab Emirates