Day 33 At Sea
Catching up on blog.
Sat June 22
Today we sailed into Piraeus which is a short bus ride to Athens. We had a photo stop at the Old Olympic Stadium, glimpsed the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, toured Athens Museum and visited Acropolis.
In Piraeus and Athens they are strict about keeping a particular 1920s facade that many of the buildings have. The streets are narrow and cars are parked every which way due to a lack of parking. There was a 3 day holiday when we arrived so we didn't have any traffic problems.
I didn't see too much evidence of the current stressed financial situation in Greece, but then what we see on the bus is limited and it was a bit of a ghost town due to the holiday. I did notice a few shops empty in the city and it looked like some people were living out of their cars along one of the main roads, whether that is related or not, I don't know.
The highlight of the tour was Acropolis, the centuries old UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views from the mountain are spectacular. I was more focused on the view the ancient monuments Parthenon and the Erechtheion towering next to me.
Harbour and little beach areas. Expensive to rent in this area.
Hadrian's Arch. You can also see it in the picture below.
Best shot I could get of the Temple of Zeus as viewed from Acropolis. Centuries old ruins that took 700 years to build as homage to Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods. It was completed in 456 B.C., and was the largest and grandest temple of its time. 15 of the original 42 foot columns remain.
The Old Olympic Stadium, worlds only open aired marble stadium. Seats 70,000. It's foundations date back to the 4th century, and it hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The first Olympic Games were held in Athens in 776 B.C.. Winners of the games received olive wreaths instead of gold medals. This stadium was also the site of Olympic events in 2004.
Entry into Acropolis. You have to watch yourself when making your way up and inside Acropolis as the marble and limestone that is scattered about is very slippery.
Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, was built in 447-438 B.C. It represented the height of creativity and power of the Golden Age of Greece. In 1687 during a siege the roof was blown up and most of the statues and interior were destroyed.
The Erechtheion with its "Porch of Maidens", was completed in 406 B.C.
Entry into Acropolis from the distance. "Acro" meaning "high" and "polis" meaning "city".
Views
National Archaeological Museum, the largest of its kind in Greece. It is devoted to ancient Greek art.
Below is just a taste of what is inside.
Statue of a Siren. 330 B.C.
Would have stood on a grave of an athlete. 510 B.C. Looks like some naked dudes wrestling to me. It, of course has more of a story and meaning than that.
This is a intact (but for the eyes) bronze statue of either Poseidon or Zeus. They are not sure which god it is because the trident or the lightning bolt was missing. The gods were always given beards as they believed that made them appear wise. The body of a young man was given to show their immortality and strength.
This was my favourite. A little boy holding onto his dog. Known as "little refugee". 1st c. B.C.
Aphrodite and the god Pan (half man, half goat). Pan is making advances on Aphrodite and she is defending herself with her sandal. I believe that is her son Cupid interfering. 100 B.C.
The Plaka. Shopping in the old district. I made my contribution to the economy.
Sailing away at the end of the day.
Tomorrow we visit Mytilene, Greece.
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