Last full day in Athens which means last minute shopping as well as visiting the Central Market and Panathenaic Stadium, both of which we had seen while on the on/off bus.

After having a really nice breakfast we hoofed it off to the Central Market. It was all meat (mainly lamb, pork and chicken) and fish. It was really clean with lots of noise as the vendors tried to entice you to buy their goods. Victoria Market in Melbourne sounds a bit like this one so it is highly likely the Greeks are influential in that market also. Interesting at this Athens market was that the animals and birds were displayed with their heads in tact. Across the road was a much smaller vegetable market again with their wares looking fresh and being well displayed.

As our on/off bus ticket was good for 1 more day we got on the bus and went over to Hadrians Gate and the Temple of Zeus. From there we walked to the Panathenaic Stadium. This stadium had been restored for the resurrection of the Olympics in 1896 then used for the 1906 and 2004 Olympic Games. There is a long tunnel which was used by the atheletes to access changing rooms etc. At the end of the tunnel there is also a museum room which houses posters and the torches used by the countries which hosted the games. The Olympic flame is lit at Olympia then brought to this stadium before it begins its travels to where ever the games is held. This applies to the summer, winter and youth Olympics. The stadium seats 70,000 but has had extra seating added for Olympic games to increase it to 100,000. There was a good audio guide provided with our modestly priced entrance ticket.

After the visit we headed back to the apartment via the shopping districts to start packing for our departure tomorrow morning. Back at the apartment we met up with our taxi driver who was taking us to the airport tomorrow morning. Spiro mentioned that he should pick us up 45 minutes earlier than agreed upon as there would be parades and road closures tomorrow due to it being National Day and a public holiday. Ok to us but thought it strange we had not heard about any of this.

We have really enjoyed the small part of Greece we have seen on this trip. While some of the food was a bit bland for our liking all was not lost. A lot of it, especially the deserts, coffee, yoghurt, and dairy products, were very nice. Oh - and of course the Greek salads. As with all visits to countries it is really about the people and the Greeks would be hard to beat. They could not be have been nicer or more helpful.

WE WILL BE BACK!