Athens - 17-20 October

 We arrived a little overdressed (20 deg C) at our apartment in Athens, ‘We Saw Athens’ at 10.30 pm and were met by our host, Penny. It was a spacious studio; apartment located just five minutes’ walk from the main metro station, Syntagma.  After Cologne, we agreed that Athens had a lovely vibe. Penny recommended some places for a late dinner and we enjoyed a light dinner and wine before bed at 1.00 pm (good practice for Spain!).   

I had downloaded a travel app called Rick Steves Audio Europe before leaving home. It includes audio tours of different cities. The two I downloaded was a one-hr Athens – City Walk and a 50 min Acropolis tours. We used one Bluetooth ear pod each and found both tours to be very informative and easy to follow. I would highly recommend checking this option out. 

Kapnikarea Church – a Greek Orthodox church built in the 12th & 13^th centuries.  I call the scarf I’m wearing, Barb’s scarf. When admiring the scarf a year or so ago, Barb kindly gave it to me. I’ve used it daily, keeping warm in Germany,and as protection from the sun in Athens.

Inside Athens Metropolitan Church (main Greek Orthodox church in Athens). It’s a newby – built in 1842.

 We shared a yummy warm eggplant salad as a light lunch before climbing up to the Acropolis.

A

little rest in the shade. We think we probably took ‘the scenic route’ up as it seemed to take forever.

The 5,000 seat amphitheatre, Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Peter told me that Pink Floyd has performed here.

I loved seeing the Erechtheion: Porch of the Caryatids (although not the original woman)

Just a little bit of the Pantheon - truely amazing workmanship seen up close. The white marble is part of the restoration and it will fade to cream over time.

Isn't it magnificent? 

Much easier walk down 😊

We enjoyed a lovely meal of grilled fresh sea bass at a restaurant recommended by our host, Chercez la Femme, with a view of the Athens Metropolitan Church (mentioned earlier). The waiter really looked after us and gave us way too much complimentary raki. I managed one sip but sooo strong! Even my companion wasn't able to finish all that was offered! 

Next morning we had an excellent coffee at an espresso bar called Kaya (another host recommendation). The highlight was the coffee was made with fresh milk, which is quite rare in Athens (UHT is the norm). 

Walking along the back streets, we came across a tiny shop below street level. As well as hand made leather bags, the guy also salvaged military canvas bags from the 40s and 50s to recyle into bags and keyrings (we bought the latter). He said he did this for three reasons: environmental; quality (100% cotton versus today’s polyester); and their history (every bag has a story behind it). He had a map of the world on the wall where he placed a pin of customers' home towns. 

We were a little surprised to see Armidale on the map.  It was one of those times when you say ‘let’s take a look here’ and we left with big smiles & warm hearts.

For dinner we had THE BEST SOUVLAKI I have ever had!! The pork was soo tender and dirt cheap. If you're in Athens and looking for good souvlaki, I highly recommend 'Meat the Greeks'.  

We sat next a friendly Zimbabwian/English guy (who has six passports). What a story he had! Amongst other things, he is a pilot who flies clients into some of the world's most dangerous locations, is a father of a 19 yr old professional cricketer so he knew/is friends with a number of Australian (and English) first class cricketers. We think he was genuine and will be checking with our Armidale Zimbabwian friends as he was sure they would know his father.  Made our meal very interesting indeed. 

If you are adverse to toilet talk, finish reading now.

What we weren't warned about is, because of the age of the plumbing in Greece, most places require you to not flush paper down the toilet but place used paper in a bin next to the toilet. Enough said, I think. 

Off to Hydra on Friday.