A late night bus trip to Gatwick Airport was the only way for us to be at the airport on time to leave for Athens, Greece on the 6am flight.
After arriving at Athens airport, we made our way into the city centre using the metro subway, which we used throughout our time in Athens for getting around town.
We checked into our hotel, then explored the city after an afternoon siesta of course!
The suburbs of Athens genrerally are quite run down with narrow streets, large potholes in pavements and cars parked every which way. It does however feel very safe and once you get your bearings, easy to get around also.
Throughout Athens, there are unfortunately large numbers of stray cats and dogs just roaming the streets, which is not great for the animals. However the Greeks liken the cats as favourable in the eyes of the Gods.
The Greeks smoke pretty much everywhere – at Breakfast, inside in restaurants, Airports, Tourist attractions, Ferries. Not on the Metro thankfully, but as soon as they leave the station they light up straight away! I think they are a few years away from being even slightly worried over passive smoking, lung cancer and the like. They still even advertise on billboards!
After arriving at Athens airport, we made our way into the city centre using the metro subway, which we used throughout our time in Athens for getting around town.
We checked into our hotel, then explored the city after an afternoon siesta of course!
The suburbs of Athens genrerally are quite run down with narrow streets, large potholes in pavements and cars parked every which way. It does however feel very safe and once you get your bearings, easy to get around also.
Acropolis from afar
Stoa of Attalos (now a smaller museum)
Throughout Athens, there are unfortunately large numbers of stray cats and dogs just roaming the streets, which is not great for the animals. However the Greeks liken the cats as favourable in the eyes of the Gods.
The Greeks smoke pretty much everywhere – at Breakfast, inside in restaurants, Airports, Tourist attractions, Ferries. Not on the Metro thankfully, but as soon as they leave the station they light up straight away! I think they are a few years away from being even slightly worried over passive smoking, lung cancer and the like. They still even advertise on billboards!
National Archaeological Museum
The first main tourist attraction we visited was the National Archaeological Museum. Within the many rooms contain relics from hundreds and thousands of years ago, and mainly comprised stone carvings, however some old weaponry, pottery and jewellery have also been recovered and displayed here over the years.
The display of skill in carving the massive stone tablets was very impressive, the stone masons really had exception talent to be able to carve lifelike carvings out of a block of stone.
Throughout Athens, there are numerous open digs where more is being discovered about history everyday, and some excavations are covered in glass and you can walk past them viewing into the excavations as you walk along the malls and footpaths within the City.
The first main tourist attraction we visited was the National Archaeological Museum. Within the many rooms contain relics from hundreds and thousands of years ago, and mainly comprised stone carvings, however some old weaponry, pottery and jewellery have also been recovered and displayed here over the years.
The display of skill in carving the massive stone tablets was very impressive, the stone masons really had exception talent to be able to carve lifelike carvings out of a block of stone.
Throughout Athens, there are numerous open digs where more is being discovered about history everyday, and some excavations are covered in glass and you can walk past them viewing into the excavations as you walk along the malls and footpaths within the City.
National Archaeological Museum
Statues out front of Museum
Bronze Statue of Zeus or Poseidon (circa 460 AD)
Acropolis in the background, markets in the foreground
The Acropolis
Next on our self guided tour of Athens was the famous Acropolis. On the walk there we past one of the numerous churches throughout Athens. We lit a belated Mothers Day Candle and continued up the hill to the Acropolis entrance.
The steep footpaths leading to the entrance of the Acropolis pass the Theatre of Dionysos, a large open aired theatre, and also a steeper sided theatre, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus – which was being prepared for a theatre presentation as we walked by.
Entering up the steps of the Acropolis and passing through the high stone Walls of Cimon and the Beule Gate, you are met by the impressive columns of the Propylaia (the ancient entrance). Heading through you then lay eyes upon the Parthenon. Not quite in all its glory, as much restoration work is being attended to on the structure, hence many of the photos also contain scaffolding, etc. Nevertheless the Parthenon is indeed a majestic structure, and was a great feat of construction at the time.
Next on our self guided tour of Athens was the famous Acropolis. On the walk there we past one of the numerous churches throughout Athens. We lit a belated Mothers Day Candle and continued up the hill to the Acropolis entrance.
The steep footpaths leading to the entrance of the Acropolis pass the Theatre of Dionysos, a large open aired theatre, and also a steeper sided theatre, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus – which was being prepared for a theatre presentation as we walked by.
Entering up the steps of the Acropolis and passing through the high stone Walls of Cimon and the Beule Gate, you are met by the impressive columns of the Propylaia (the ancient entrance). Heading through you then lay eyes upon the Parthenon. Not quite in all its glory, as much restoration work is being attended to on the structure, hence many of the photos also contain scaffolding, etc. Nevertheless the Parthenon is indeed a majestic structure, and was a great feat of construction at the time.
Theatre of Dionysos
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Temple of Athena Nike (Just do it…???)
The Parthenon
Views of Athens from the Acropolis
Outside the Acroplis but within the encompassing Areopagus Hill, sit the Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, and the Church of the Holy Apostles. All there are is still in excellent condition, and the Temple reminds me of a smaller version of the Parthenon.
Temple of Hephaestus
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Next we walked over to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, being the largest temple in Greece. Taking over 700 years to build due to lack of funds over the years, it now comprises just 15 of the original 104 Corinthian Columns, which stand 17m high and have a base diameter of 1.7m.
Next we walked over to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, being the largest temple in Greece. Taking over 700 years to build due to lack of funds over the years, it now comprises just 15 of the original 104 Corinthian Columns, which stand 17m high and have a base diameter of 1.7m.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
2 comments:
Great photos and a thorough exploration!
Sounds like a full on day you two had in Athens. Got to see a lot though so at least you made the most of it. Loved the pics and of course the jumping shot is always good to see.
P.S. Nice caption on the Temple of Athena Nike photo.
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