Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
EuroVicki
Joey wants me to tell you how impressed he is with the harbor! So we are out in a taxi to find the heating pad and it turns out it is Greek Easter- we sure picked the period to travel! Went to the largest pharmacy in Piraeus and no heating pads. They suggested electrical shop. Our driver called his son is studying medicine, who suggested a medical supply shop! Why didn't I think of that? Vacation brain... We had to go into Athens to find an electric shop - and no, they didn't have. I suggested we call the next place we were planning on going to save time... We passed a Byzantine era church dedicated to the for Apollo - but no way to stop for a picture.. It took all morning but we found the heating pad!! I sure hope it works once we return to the ship. But we are in Athens so we will begin our touristic day. We (Kostas, our guide, and I) sent Joey up the stairs to the Acropolis (meaning the end of the city) and the Parthenon to take pictures while I sit with a fruit juice and rest my knee. The picture you see here of the Acropolis is from the cafe. More in depth photos will be from Joey's camera once we are back home. FYI, Joey was plenty tired after climbing up! Zappion is the modern place for Olympic athletes and it was built in1850 - but they started to use it in 1895. Main square of the city used for protests Kostas told us that the graffiti we see around the city is (are?) usually political messages by the anarchists readying for the next demonstration - which occur often.. We were able to see the changing of the guards at the Presidents palace - and our guide pointed out that no matter where we were in Athens, the only police we see are guarding the presidents palace! As for the guards, I videoed - and am attaching two short shots. You will notice the huge shoes they are wearing: each one is 27 pounds and has nails on the bottom that make each step sound like a horseshoe hitting the cement walk. These guards change every hour, have two or three shifts a day, and train for years to get the balance and precision needed. We then drove up to the top of the highest point to see a panoramic view of the city. I hope you can touch on the picture and bring it in closer - our guide Kostas pointed out that if you draw a line from the Acropolis to the first Olympic stadium to the hill that we stand on, it is a perfect triangle. And if lines are drawn between other important sites you get other geometric shapes - and all thousands of years ago. We then went to a late lunch by the water, across fro the old Onassis house that is now the Greek yacht club. The food was excellent and the service was as well. After a way too large a meal, we asked to be taken to a shop to buy some mastika- which we all tried at the restaurant for the first time! Then back to the ship where we collapsed for the night!
- comments
Eda I sm so excited to be on this trip with you. The Parthenon is amazing!
Judith How and where have you found your tour guides? I'm fascinated.
Vicki Komer We have been lucky - we walk off the ship, see a line of taxi drivers, and talk with a couple to see how good the English is - or sometimes, the Spanish...depending on the country.
Roxana Viki, Great job , i am enjoying si much the Stroiești and Photos!!!!thank YOU!❤️Roxana
Paula R Fuller This looks like a FUN trip for all! You all are creating some beautiful photos and everlasting memories. Travel on.
JJ Santos Changing of the guard was interesting!