It has become a tradition for Phalaphala FM to take its listeners on an annual overseas tour. The purpose of these expeditions is to demonstrate the financial muscle of Phalaphala FM’s loyal listeners to the advertising industry, who unfortunately still holds a perception that some of the brands should not be advertised on the station as the target audience might not afford them.

Prior to the sojourn to Greece, Phalaphala Fm had visited places such as Dubai, Turkey, Malaysia, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, to mention but a few. The listeners, led by tour leader, specialist announcer Mpho “ BTK” Nefale and program manager Freddy Sadiki, departed on September 23 from Johannesburg.

The South Africans had a half-day guided sightseeing tour en route to the hotel where they visited the Constitution Square and the impressive white marble Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. They also marvelled at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest Temple ever built in Greece. They also visited the presidential residence and the magnificent Parthenon monument on the Acropolis.

After a brief rest at the hotel, the visitors were taken in a luxury bus to the Dora Startou garden theatre, where dancers, singers and folk musicians re-enacted folk songs and dances in authentic local costumes.

The following days included visits to Delphi, passing the Town of Thebes - connected with the tragedy of King Oedipus - the Temple of Apollo and the museum of Delphi.

The visitors enjoyed the full-day island cruise aboard the fun boat. Islands visited were Aegina, Paros and Hydra. It was quite an experience for the South Africans to explore Plaka and Monastaraiki on their own.

At the end of the week people had to fly back to South Africa on September 30.