Athens, Greece! I love waking up to a new city! Athens is a sprawling and very congested city with what looks like apartment buildings crammed next to and on top of each other really tight. It is a huge city with about 4 million people including the surrounding area. Very cool to see from the ocean. There were so many things to go see but our main goal was to get to the Acropolis to see the sights.
We didn't purchase a tour through the cruise line so we hopped off the boat early to beat the crowds and to make our way to the Acropolis on our own. It is very difficult trying to figure out the bus system in a country where you can hardly guess what the signs are saying. A lone taxi driver caught us in a weak moment and we jumped at his offer to take us to our destination for only €20. Sounds like a bargain, yes? No!
We made it to the Acropolis in good time with the driver persistently trying to coax us into hiring him for the day. It is safe to say he drove off a disappointed man. But we were some of the first to arrive at the Acropolis!!! We purchased our tickets and started to our walk to the top of the hill. I was excited to see two landmarks - the amphitheater where Yanni performed and the Parthenon. There were many ruins along the way to stop and photograph and marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship that existed so long ago.
We came to a fenced off area and looked in and there it was! The Herodes Atticus Theater! It was so awesome. I really can't think of the right words to express how excited I was to be seeing this amazing sight! We took pictures and found a bench nearby and started playing the Yanni Live at the Acropolis CD. We are such nerds but it was so cool!! I might have even gotten a little teary I was so excited and happy. Something I have dreamed of doing for years finally coming true! It was seriously the best thing ever!
The Theater of Dionysus
We came to a fenced off area and looked in and there it was! The Herodes Atticus Theater! It was so awesome. I really can't think of the right words to express how excited I was to be seeing this amazing sight! We took pictures and found a bench nearby and started playing the Yanni Live at the Acropolis CD. We are such nerds but it was so cool!! I might have even gotten a little teary I was so excited and happy. Something I have dreamed of doing for years finally coming true! It was seriously the best thing ever!
The Herodes Atticus Theater
Yanni's Theater
After sitting there listening to music for a bit, we continued our way up the hill to see the other ruins. What a breathtaking experience! So much thought and creativity went into making these old buildings. The craftsmanship was amazing. We arrived at the top of the Acropolis where the Parthenon is located. This was the birthplace of democracy with one of the world’s first democratic governments. Larry has dreamed of walking these paths since he was a young man. History is his passion!
The Parthenon
The city of Athens looking down from the Acropolis
The Erechtheum - Ancient Greek Temple
Propylaea - The Entrance to the Acropolis
Leaving the Propylaea
Funny side note...while we walking around the cobble stone and marble grounds, we saw this decked out chick wearing 4 inch high heels. It sorta reminded me of Ivy hiking in her gold shoes, but with stilts. I guess a girl's gotta do what girl's gotta do. We had a good chuckle when we saw that!
The Ancient Agora (market place)
Odeon of Agrippa (large concert hall and gymnasium)
The Temple of Athena (on the far right)
Temple of Hephaestus
Adjacent to the Acropolis is a rocky hill called Mars Hill. This is where the apostle Paul taught the Athenians and declared unto them the true identity of their “unknown god” found in Acts 17:16-34. Larry and I had our own Sabbath Service under a tree where we read from the book of Acts in the Bible and talked about the great things that took place so many years ago. It was amazing to be walking in Paul’s footsteps and was a very special experience for us.
Mars Hill
"We are the offspring of God." ~ the Apostle Paul
Looking up at the Acropolis from Mars Hill
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After spending a great deal of time exploring the ruins of the Acropolis we made our way down back to the city. By this time we were so hot and so so thirsty. Besides the tours, sights and food, the most money we have spent is on water. We can't get enough!
Because of our dehydrated state we decided to try and find a place where we could share some kind of Greek food and water. We started down this little street lined with all kinds of vendors selling their trinkets and outside restaurants that literally run on into each other, with their owners all trying to talk you into coming to their place. "It's much better!" We found a shady spot and ordered a gyro, chicken salad and a large pitcher of water to share. What a delightful decision! So tasty!
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After eating and resting a bit, we continued on our way. There were hundreds of the same little shops lining street after street, with each vendor approaching you saying, "my turn now?". Considering we didn't really want to buy anything, and the pushiness of the sellers we finally decided enough was enough and headed back for the ship.
We didn't want to spend €20 again so we tried to find other Princess cruisers who might want to share a cab. We were defeated and were running out of time. We were about to go investigate the train option when we decided to just offer a cabbie €10 if he would take us back to the ship. Surprisingly, he took the offer and we made it back with time to spare!
Happy after a great Greek meal!
Graffiti trains like this one would zip by frequently while we were eating.
Bazaar shopping
Church in the middle of the road
We didn't want to spend €20 again so we tried to find other Princess cruisers who might want to share a cab. We were defeated and were running out of time. We were about to go investigate the train option when we decided to just offer a cabbie €10 if he would take us back to the ship. Surprisingly, he took the offer and we made it back with time to spare!
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