September 18, 2024
Piraeus, Greece
Mostly sunny 70’s – 80’s
Note – you can always leave comments via e-mail to tnpaulnelson@gmail.com or to shirleyfnelson@gmail.com. They are welcomed!
Today in Athens we booked a 5 hour tour that included the acropolis Museum, walking up and around the Acropolis, and bus tour of the city and walking tour of the Placa. We started early (8 AM). This entry will be mostly pictures and a little explanation. In general, everything was world class, once in a lifetime and amazing. Athens is a big city with narrow streets – because of traffic, our 5 hour tour lasted from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, but 90 minutes were our choice.
The Museum:
The Acropolis Museum was built over an archeological dig. Actually anywhere one digs in Athens will turn up something ancient. In this case Shirley is overlooking a Roman Villa. We got to the Museum early and got in because Viking has preferred access to many things – this museum included. We also skipped many lines when we went up to the Acropolis.
The Caryatids were pillars shaped like females. The name comes from the island of Caryae where they worshipped Artemis through dance. There were originally 6, but one is now in the British Museum as a part of the Elgin marbles. One was greatly damaged, but the other 4 may be seen here in the Acropolis Museum. They were originally painted blue, red, green and yellow. The hair styles were all different, something that can only be noticed here in the museum.
Shirley and Paul in front of the “akroterion” which was placed on crowning ridge of the Parthenon. It looked neat so we took a selfie
Shirey got to play guide while the real guide went looking for some wanderers. This is the famous “lollipop” that all Viking Cruise tours use to guide the groups. Many times we see tour groups following an extended unfurled umbrella or a piece of paper. Class will out!
The Lego Company produced a visualization of the Acropolis in its heyday. It was a useful tool for the guide to explain what there was.
After the Museum we toured the dig underneath and came away with an appreciation of the work involved in figuring out all what went on back in the day. There were a lot of coins and the guide explained about the drachma. Then we started up the Acropolis. Some 500 meter climb. But we did it in stages with rests while Anastasia, the guide held forth. Sometime the path was easy, sometimes hard, some gentle steps, some steep steps, some slippery steps.
At last we made it no worse for wear (except Shirley’s back). We took the obligatory picture. Note how uncrowded it is – we went early and skipped a ton of lines. In the afternoon it got really crowded we were told. Here we are looking at the back of the ruins of the Parthenon. We were in Nashville not too long ago and saw the replica. It was awesome, but being here made it very special.
Here we are at the front of the Parthenon. Note the workmen on the scaffolding working on restoration. There are not going to restore it to the original, but keep whatever is there in good repair. It has been damaged by bombs, earthquakes, artillery shells and it is a wander so much is left.
A well-earned rest looking out toward Piraeus. Note the storm clouds in the east. It sprinkled a bit on us. Later we say a squall line pass over the acropolis while we were on the balcony of the ship enjoying a libation.
This is the temple where the Caryatids were positioned. Note these are copies as the real ones were in the Museum (and stolen by Lord Elgin).
On the way out down the Propylaea or entry. The crowds were light.
Looking up toward the Propylaea on the way out. Again – the crowds that we expected did not materialize while we were there.
We got back on the bus and toured for 90 minutes covering maybe 5 miles as the traffic was beyond belief. We drove past museums, Parliament (and saw the crowd with their selfie sticks trying to snap the changing of the guard), churches, many ruins, and got dropped off at the Placa. Barcelona has the Rambla, Chicago has the Navy Pier, and Athens has the Placa. It is an unofficial pedestrian zone where car and scooters interlope. That is people walk in the streets and cars and scooters weave in and out (but mostly stand still). There are a lot of shops. Some made in China shops, but some upscale jewelry shops. And there are cafes. We were advised to go to Zorba’s for a great Greek Meal. They said it was just down this street. We went down the street and did not see it. Paul put Zorba’s into Google maps and it directed us to a very nice, off the beaten path café. The signage was on Greek, so we had no clue if it was Zorba’s or not. Whatever. We shared a Moussaka and Shirley had a glass of house white. It was really tasty!
Zorba’s??? Maybe …. Maybe not.
Shirley’s take: Pineapple-cucumber smoothie at breakfast. Wonderful day at the Acropolis. We ate lunch in Athens so did not have soup of the day. Feasted on crab legs for dinner!!!
Blogging on the Veranda
Oh and 10735 steps Anna (and although we climbed to the top of the Acropolis (500 mters) we only registered 3 flights of stairs. )
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