Where in the world are Duane and Gayle?: Athens

Athens, one of the oldest cities in the world. Rich

in history, ancient monuments and art work. The

last leg of our trip - so much to see in a few days!

So how did Athens get it's name?

Athena and Poseidon requested that they become the

patrons of the city and give their name to it, so they
competed.The ruler at the time, Cecrops accepted their
gifts. Poseidon gave a salt water spring by striking his
trident to the ground, symbolizing naval power.
However the winning gift came from Athena gave the
olive tree, symbolizing peace and prosperity.

We decided to try something different -
it is common to take taxis in the UAE and
we decided to use the Metro - saved a bunch
and were able to see countryside we would
miss sitting in the backseat on a highway.

I love this. Is this the rental car available here?

Duane reading the map and making sure we
end up someplace we are supposed to be!

It's all still Greek to me....very little English on this map!

Blu Park Radisson - very nice!
A new type of hotel for Radisson - worth checking them out!
http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-athens

The Lobby

Good Breakfast before we start our day!

So we're heading out on the Open Bus Tour...

National Archaeological Museum and the bus stop
closest to our hotel. The largest museum in Greece
and was started during the 19th century.

This was a school - but I loved the statue of the head
to the right....it looks like it was meant to be there,
but strangely out of place.

The areas of Thession - full of beautiful churches and in
the background you can see the Acropolis and Parthenon.

The wires obstructing the view of the
church are for the electric trains that
run throughout the city.

This is Syntygma Square the oldest square and the epicenter of all commercial
activity throughout the 19th century and today. While we were here
we saw one protest - about 300 hundred people - but orderly.

Peaceful demonstration ----- from a distance.

The temple of Zeus.... built between 472 and 456 BC.

The Parthenon and Acropolis

As you can see there is a great deal of restoration and repairs
going on - turns out some work done thirty years ago was
not done accurately to the period - so it is being corrected.

We're just swinging by this time...we'll be back - want to
check out the whole city and then climb back up....

The train run on electricity in Athens - remnants of the 2004
Olympics to improve transportation in the city.

Back at the Greek Parliament - you will see guards walking
around the property and in front. In front the guards known
as Evzones wear traditional white kilts with red and black
caps. The traditional kilts have 400 pleats symbolizing
the 400 years under Turkish rule.

On the perimeter the guards wear a lighter kilt in khaki - less
pleats and were told they walk for an hour and walk this shift
with their partners three times in a 24 hour period.

An armed military guard adjusts the tassel of the
guard. Appearances are very important.

I just love the columns and statues....such detail.

Congress Hall

National Library.

The Central Market on Monostiraki - you will
see halls of fresh meat of every kind and produce.

If you keep walking there are cafes and shopping.

We have walked all the back to Plaka - time to go

climb to the Acropolis and Parthenon.

On our way we find these lovely

neighborhoods - love the vines with the balcony

and the flag....Simple and elegant.

I love the streets and the greenery....and trees blooming!

and we keep walking up and up....

and walking.....

....and we are back at the Acropolis

Very windy!

Lots of STEPS!

Walking back down... they both are truly impressive
structures....excited we were able to see them
and appreciate the history.

We used the bus like our personal taxi - hop on and off!
Our first day done and we are heading back to Thession
to find the waiter we met earlier in the day. Easy to find....
we just followed our noses!

We found him.... Cheers!

Greek Salad and tzatziki..... incredible.

We shared a Gyro Plate....we both love Greek food!

Walking our after dinner we see lines. It's an outdoor
theatre - had to be at least 100 people going in - we would
have to - except it was in Greek!

The sun is setting and the lights are on at the Acropolis.

The next day we wanted to see Piraeus and we came
across the Olympic Village.

The Olympic Stadium Spiros Louis located in Marousi in Athens,
we saw it on our way to Piraeus - the largest port in Europe.

Piraeus is Greek's third largest city, but this is the largest passenger
port in Europe and one of the top ten container ports in Europe.

This is the area of Plaka - one of the popular stops -
LOTS of shopping and access museums and walk the Art Museum.

The Temple of Zeus from another angle.

If you look real close to the top of the photo - that's
where we are headed.... Lycabettus Hill - huge limestone
rock reaching almost 1000 feet....one of the best vantage
points of the Acropolis and the city. If you go - walk up
don't take the cable car - we were told you can't see from
it as it goes underground. You don't want to miss the
views they are spectacular.

On our way we pass an old stadium....Olympics of yesteryear!

Climbing....climbing...climbing

Almost there.....but it really does look still very far away!

I did it!

Duane did it too!

The views from the top of Lycabettus Hill

Beautiful breeze to cool us off.

The cafe at the top!

We stopped to share a sandwich at the cafe and the
waiter asks for our ticket. Ticket?

He replies "the ticket from the cable car, you get 10% off."

I said "we didn't take cable car." We are told no discount.

"But what about the people who trek up the hill, what do they get?"

Without hesitation he says, "good health."