Athens, Greece.
Cruise Day 31 of 35.
In the morning, we arrived in the port of Piraeus.
We were joined by Ray & Chrissie, and Annette, on a very
pleasant (20 degrees and not many tourists) day.
As we walked towards the metro station we, passed a tiny
church, as well the imposing Church of Holy Trinity.
We disembarked from our train at Monastiraki Square, which
is surrounded by interesting buildings and shops, as well as being at the foot
of the Acropolis.
Our first stop was at the Ancient Agora, where the Temple of
Hephaisteion and the Stoa of Attalos are the best preserved of the ancient
structures.
We then walked to the Roman Agora, where the Gate of Athena
Archegetis and the Tower of Winds are the best preserved structures.
We then walked up the retail Ermou Street, passing some more
churches, including Athens Cathedral, on our way to Syntagma Square and the
Greek Parliament Building, where we watched the Changing of the Guard.
We then walked to remains of the massive Temple of Olympian
Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch.
We stopped for a pleasant Greek lunch in the Plaka, at
Tebepna – www.diogenis.gr .
We then embarked on our hike up the Acropolis, first passing
the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, then passing through the Temple of Athena Nike.
From here, we had a good overview of the Theatre of Dionysos and surrounding
structures. As well as great vistas, the highlight is obviously the Parthenon.
There is also the Erechtheum, which is supported by the Caryatids (the
originals are in the Acropolis Museum).
Bill then went to the impressive Acropolis Museum, which
certainly is missing the Elgin Marbles (housed in the British Museum, London).
The rest of our touring party went shopping in the Plaka.
We then returned by train to Piraeus, passing Karaiskakis
Stadium, the home of the football club Olympiacos.
On our walk back to our ship, we visited the imposing St.
Nicholas Church.
We sailed out of Piraeus in another lovely sunset.
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