We arrived back in the Port of Pireus surrounded by heaps of ferries going to every Greek island and then some. Eventually found our dock, backed in and whammo everyone scrambles off. Amazingly quick turnaround for these big ships, they would have 3 car decks plus a couple of passenger decks.
Our man with a sign was waiting in a yellow taxi, Mercedes as they all seem to be. Passed only one smash up between a couple of the taxis they seemed pretty calm about it. Common occurence no doubt with lanes being irrelevent to most drivers.
Arrived at the Herodion Hotel around 3pm. Nice hotel although you could be anywhere in the world, there must be a universal template. We found it was only 10 minutes walk to the Acropolis so after a short break ( it was 29C out there) out we went. First right first left and there it was towering above us. Walked to the front gate by 4.30pm arrived in time for a couple of hours wandering around, although eating an ice cream delayed us as no food inside. I can see the headlines now - "Ice Cream Assault on Acropolis" Just as well they stopped us really.
Good time to go we thought as the crowds would have abated somewhat and the temperature cooler. The first thing we noticed was the glaze on the rock and marble paths around the Parthenon. Slippery beyond belief due to the uncountable tourist (millions?) over the millenia who have come to see the sights. There are half a dozen buildings there, the Parthenon was built about 438BC, by Pericles. The entance gate, the Propylaia, is pretty massive as well. The Caryatids (maiden types) in the Erechtheion showed us how skilled the Greeks were even in such monumental scale. Big cranes and railways to cart the massive blocks of marble around were all around the site but that didnt seem to detract from the inspiring sight.
Denise was getting a bored by all the masonery so we left at 6pm for a top up of Bourbon and Coke. Checked out the roof bar, lo and behold there was a fantastic view of the Acropolis and Parthenon from the roof garden with a jacuzzi. Excellent so got that sorted towel togs on etc only to find there was a 5 euro price tag. Not for us so we sat around the jacuzzi and enjoyed the vista. Plenty of pics you will be pleased to know, even a few of the Acropolis.
With inside information on the best place to eat (from the souvenir shop man), we tramped around the corner to the ultimate tourist trap! Still he said it was good food so we stayed and actually had a pretty good meal. We were the old hands now so it was nice to know what it was we were eating.
Next day slept in, had a bit of a txt chat with Gina and out for a cloudy day to The National Archeological Museum via the Underground/Metro. Denise does insist on asking all and sundry where everything is - I think she has lost her trust in my sense of direction somehow. Still we managed to negotiate the Metro, out Omonia Square into the chaos of big city small time venders and general hub-bub, along to the Museum. Wonderful collection of Archaic to early Roman artifacts, sculpture mostly, much of it orginal. The statue of Zues was made all the more relevent with loud thunderclaps and lightning immediately above us, made us both jump!
Back to our Hotel to pick up our bags and catch our drive to Athens Airport. Two flights, initially to Zagreb, capital of Croatia, then back down again to Dubrovnik. Arrived about 11.30pm. Interesting detente at the Croatian border with a little French madam who got into the wrong queue then decided to stamp her pretty little french sandals and push in ahead. The customs lady made her apologise then made her ask (in English) if she could please be let in. Which she did - then had to wait for her husband who respectfully waited in line. Ha.
Anyway once out we had to ask a taxi to take us to Dubrovnik Port where La Belle d'Adriatique was waiting for us. So after midnight, 40 euro and a security check later we had checked in and were being waited on hand and foot by a Filipino waiter with a cold meal and wine. I can see over-eaters anonymous will be lining up a couple of new members shortly. Shown to our cabin; more compact than Odyssey, hard beds, no champagne, and showing some signs of wear. 3 star rather than 5 star, but comfortable enough. Bed and sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment