Athens, Greece

Our next port is Athens, Greece, which neither Rexie nor I have ever visited. We are looking forward to the Acropolis.

If you are in Greece, you have to visit the Acropolis. For this reason, we have decided not to take a Carnival Excursion and go on our own. This way, Rexie could take her time going up and down the path. We almost never go out on our own, but we have been told the Acropolis is not wheelchair friendly and we have to see it. Therefore, we can take as long as we want.

As we exit the terminal, we are approached by two different “taxi” drivers to take a tour. I could tell that neither one of them was acceptable to put our life in their hands. We felt we were just as likely to be robbed as taken to the Acropolis. Then, we overheard someone ask the way to the hop-on and hop-off bus. Now that we could trust.

We had to exit the port and walk a short way, but we found it and it was very reasonable. Not only would it take us to the Acropolis, it would also take us around Athens if we wanted. Sold!

We had actually landed at the City of Piraeus ad had to travel for about 30 minutes before we got to the Acropolis.

This is just a shot of a local church near the port.

Here are some shots of the bay as we road towards the Acropolis.

As we get to the Acropolis, we find an interesting place. Hundreds of people are streaming up the hillside, but yet there are no signs telling you were to go.

Since we were going up, I found a little longer path that appeared to go the same place but was not quite as steep. Turning the corner, we found this tree that had been propped up. Later, we would find this in other places around the Med, but it was different.

We pass some ruins at the bottom of the hill. I believe these were part of the Theatre of Dionysos, but again, no signs.

As we get to the gate, they ask us for our tickets. Tickets? There were no signs telling us were to buy tickets. So, they turned us away and pointed out the building. I left Rexie sitting on a wall and went to find the ticket booth.

I found the line for tickets and while I was waiting saw the Hellenic Post Office at Acropolis.

Finally we get tickets and up the hill we go again. This is the backside of the building I believe houses the theater.

And yes, after a small uphill stroll we can look down and see the theater.

At this time, notice that Rexie is smiling.

After a little more uphill stroll, Rexie has to take a break. She gives me a thumbs up, but we still have a long way to go.

Finally, the Acropolis is sitting in front of the morning sun.

Notice the scaffolding. Because of the last earthquake, they have had to do a lot of restoration to keep the Acropolis from falling down.

On top of this hill stands not only the Acropolis, but several other buildings. This is one of them.

The views of the surrounding areas are breathtaking.

In many sections, they have a number of broken pillars, locks, etc. that are yet to be put in their proper place.

High on another hill I believe stands the Monument of Filopappos.

In all the rock and rubble, I found these dandelions growing in a crevasse on top of this hill. Isn’t nature amazing.

At one time, the statue of Athena Promachos is said to have resided on this hill.

The entrance to the top is another edifice which in its own right must have been very beautiful and amazing.

As you can see, this is a choke-point for people going up and people going down. Not only is it a narrow path, the steps at the end are steep and dangerous.

Finally, we make it down and Rexie is ready to get on a bus and just ride around Athens.

As we leave the Acropolis, we ride through these narrow residential streets.

This street is full of nothing but buses and we are not moving very quickly at all. The residents must just love the traffic.

As we travel through the streets, many of them have citrus trees growing right next to the street. These were so close, you could reach out a pick a lemon from the trees. I figured as soon as I did it, the swat team would swarm the bus and put in hand-cuffs. This, no fresh lemon from the tree.

A local church.

Some scenes around Athens.

This is Hadrian’s Arch.

They have trams, but the all looked very modern.

This is the parliament building.

If you look close, you can see the guard in the traditional Greek uniform.

This statue is in front of the National Garden near the Parliament Building.

One of the stadiums for the Olympics.

Next, we have the University of Athens.

And then the National Library.

Again, we go through some narrow streets.

We then go through a street that the locals call the junk street. It is blocks and blocks of cheap stores and people selling items here instead of a yard sale like in the states. The tour guide said you could get anything you wanted or needed right here on this street.

Like all old cities, they have some neat street lamps.

Our day is over and we are both dead tired. Rexie was a real trooper and we can say we have been to the Acropolis and seen many parts of Athens, What a memory.

I must be off!