Athens

 


11th May 2013

We left our beach parking spot early and set off for Athens which was only just over 50Km away. Jacqui had planned a skype call with Lizzie to discuss some work issues for 12.15 and we wanted to be settled in our campsite beforehand. We found Camping Athens easily; it was not a cheap site at 26 euros a night but we wanted to be assured the van was safe whilst we explored Athens and we needed a good internet signal. Camping Athens was also conveniently located for the city centre taking under 30 minutes on bus and Metro. Jacqui chatted with Lizzie for nearly two hours so we had a quick lunch and then set off for the Acropolis station.  It was very hot when we arrived at 3pm and Jacqui was sweating under her new sun hat.  We walked up to the Acropolis gates to find out that it had closed at 2.15pm despite the guide books telling us it closed at 6.30pm. We could not understand why such an important monument should close mid afternoon on a weekend. We traipsed back down the hill trying to reschedule our time in Athens in our heads.  We decided to visit the Acropolis museum first. This was a good move.  it is a modern, light building with excellent air conditioning. Apart for all the artefacts in there we also had the opportunuity to watch a good video about the excavation of the Acropolis and gleaned much information to enhance our future visit to the Acropolis site. In the museum there were numerous references to various pieces of marble being in the British Museum and to Lord Elgin's stealing of important statues. Britain has not been forgiven for this.

After a good visit we left the museum and headed to Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Zeus - again closed. We then walked through the cool National Gardens and up to the Parliamentary buildings and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Greek Army does have a very strange ceremonial unifrom. The poor men have to wear cream coloured woollen tights with slippers that are adorned at the toes by a big fluffy black ball of wool. Ridiculous!! Mike thought that maybe in times of war the enemy would die laughing as the Greeks approached.
Our next stop was to try to get to the top of Lycabettus Hill to get some good views of the City and to vist the small church Agios Georgios.  It was a long hot walk up numerous steps to get to the base of the hill. We eventually decided to take the funicular up to the top which cost 7 euros each.  We later realised that we had done much of the hard walking and could have saved the money but Jacqui was very hot.  It was worth paying because the views from the top were impressive and there was a small wedding at the Church.  The bride looked beautiful and what an outstanding place to 'tie the knot'.  It was quite cool up on the hill and the sun was setting. We had walked miles and we still had to get back down and find our way to the campsite.  It was nearly 10pm before we were home and sitting down to supper. We both slept well that night.

Sunday 12th May
Despite our best attempts to get to the Acropolis at 8am when it opened so we could visit it in the cool of the day it was just after 9am when we left the campsite. We travelled in with two young couples form NZ and we gave some advice on what to see as they continued their trip around Europe.

It was just before 10am when we each paid our 12 euros to visit the Acropolis. As we walked up to the gateway of the Acropolis we saw the Temple of Dionysus where the Greek poets had the premiers of their plays performed. From there we passed the Stoa of Eumenes and the Odeion of Herodes Atticus. All the time climbing up to the 'sacred rock', the Acropolis.  The main entrance to the Acropolis is named the Propylaea. Other ruins on this site include 'The Temple of Athena Victory, The Erechtheion and of course the Parthenon. Despite all the restoration work going on it is truly a marvellous place to visit.  The views were also impressive allowing you to look right over the city and to the sea beyond. It also allowed us to pick out the other sites we wanted to visit and to orientate ourselves.

After we left the Acropolis we walked to the Ancient Agora, which included the Stoa of Attalus (plus museum) and the Temple of Hephaistos. We managed to find some shade to have our sandwiches and then we continued walking slowly (it was hot) to the Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, (not as good as the one in Tivoli) and the Kyrristus Clock Tower of the Winds. We stopped for an ice cream and a drink in the Plaka at the Lysikrates Monument and then wandered down numerous narrow streets, lined with cafes and touristy shops to the Cathedral. Tired now we decided to head back to the Metro and to the campsite to chill out. We did do some laundry and some blogging but it we also just sat drinking some well deserved beer and eating crisps.  It was a good end to a busy two days.