We just returned from a full day in Athens. The last time we were here (2003) the city was torn up as they we getting ready for the Olympics. They also had one of those 10 year "rains". It is fitting that as we leave Athens, it started to rain again but the entire day was nice.
We took the ship shuttle to the city centre but would take a
cab the next time. We had intended to do it on our own anyway and the ship simply provided transport. Our first stop was the Acropolis Museum barely 3 years old and dedicated solely to the artifacts of the Acropolis. It was a wonderful place. The "floor" of the building has glass panels in it where you can see the restorers working on the ruins below. A really well planned approach. 3 floors of artifacts with great models showing the changes over time. A short movie also provided much information. After the museum we really did not need a guide to the actual Acropolis.
That was our second stop. Again, they have continued to reconstruct the temples and it is in much better shape today. We have all see the photographs of the hill with its various temples and a visit did not disappoint. We then walked down to the Ancient Agora - literally meeting place but better thought of as the local market. Wandering around we came across a church built in 1000 A.D. A walk through a crowded Plaka
occupied the afternoon but we were not trying to buy anything so it was mostly a look and see type of experience except for a good gelato! After having been to the Bazaar in Istanbul the place was a bit quiet. On the way back to the bus meeting place we did get a picture of Adrian's Gate which marked the change from the old to the new city. It is located very near the Temple of Zeus which we did not see the last time here. We had a short visit to this big temple. We did have a bit of to kill so we did stop for a bottle of Greek beer and some spinich pie.
Back onboard and headed to Naples now. A sea day tomorrow is what we need after 4 days of going ashore! Tonight's activities include the VIP Art reception (free wine) followed by a line dance party, dinner and then the Ultimate Deck Party - now being held indoors because of the rain. It should stop later tomorrow, probably just when we are getting out of bed!
cab the next time. We had intended to do it on our own anyway and the ship simply provided transport. Our first stop was the Acropolis Museum barely 3 years old and dedicated solely to the artifacts of the Acropolis. It was a wonderful place. The "floor" of the building has glass panels in it where you can see the restorers working on the ruins below. A really well planned approach. 3 floors of artifacts with great models showing the changes over time. A short movie also provided much information. After the museum we really did not need a guide to the actual Acropolis.
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