Athens has unforgettable historic sights, magnificent architecture, and ancient ruins. The Classic Period of Greece was between 500 to 300 BC. A time of great creativity and ingenuity, this Golden Age dazzled with art, literature, political and architectural accomplishments, the foundation from which modern civilization was built.

Piraeus is the port city for Athens and has been Athens' port of entry for over two millennia. We immediately noticed a difference in the vibe from the other Greek island ports. Traffic noise, aggressive taxi drivers and salespeople, graffiti and dirt assaulted our senses. We knew we were back in a metropolis after experiencing the serene, clean, laid back islands. We left the ship and immediately caught the Hop On Hop Off bus just outside the terminal to see all the sights. November 17,1977 is a significant day in Athens. One of the guides on the Hop On Hop Off bus told us to be back at the ship by 2:15 as protesters would be out and perhaps even some bombings would be happening. I'm unsure of the whole story but, on this day in 1977, many university students were killed by police. Every year there is unrest and even bombings to protest this perceived unnecessary action. We saw many groups of police standing at street corners and even assault busses with the riot shields lined up ready for action. To my knowledge nothing happened but it was a bit scary just the same.

Piraeus was surprisingly pretty in spots especially around the marina areas. Marina Zea was particularly beautiful with huge yachts and many cafes surrounded by orange trees. We wanted to go back there and soak in the ambiance (but never made it). There are so many things to see in Athens. We didn't get to some of the things we wanted to do.

Our first stop was the Acropolis. Atop the Acropolis, the world famous Parthenon sails above the commotion of the modern city. We had been here before and the magnificence of the sight was not diminished the second time around. The shear size and majesty of the Parthenon is awe inspiring. The Parthenon was commissioned by Pericles as part of his rebuilding plan in 447 BC. The sculptor Pheidias was entrusted with supervising the building of a magnificent Doric temple to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. It was built in the site of earlier Archaic temples, and was designed primarily to house Parthenon, Pheidas's impressive 12 metre high cult statue of Athena covered in ivory and gold. It took 9 years to complete and the temple was dedicated to the goddess. The Greeks were incredible architects. They had so many "tricks" to enhance the grandeur of the buildings. The columns on the Parthenon are slightly curved and swell in the middle and lean slightly inwards while the platform rises towards the centre to give the appearance of uniformity. Apparently, without these engineering marvels, the building would look distorted. As you can see from the pictures, much of the Parthenon is being restored. It's amazing the difference from when we were here 5 years ago. The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were performed in the Theater of Dionysus at the foot of the Acropolis. With its collection of ancient ruins, the Acropolis, the greatest icon of ancient Athens, reflects the engineering prowess of its illustrious heritage. Besides the Parthenon, such ruins include: the Erectheion with its graceful Porch of the Caratids (Maidens) with 4 statues of women used in place of columns on the south porch. These are casts - the originals are in the Acropolis Museum; the Temple of Athena Nike, built in 427-424BC, on the west side of the Propylaia.
Across from the Acropolis, on Pnyx Hill, citizens of a fledgling democracy gathered to cast their votes on Athens' destiny. Then there is the hustle and bustle of the modern city, a metropolis of 4.5 million that spreads out from the foot of Mt. Lycabettus and across the plain. Packed with busy shops and lively tavernas, modern Athens is a colorful counterpoint to classical Greece.

After taking in this monumental area we hopped on the bus again and enjoyed the rest of the sites the bus had to offer. Athenians adored their gods and heaped praise and devotion upon them by erecting numerous temples and monuments, designed as homes for the gods and goddesses. The Temple of Poseidon, ruler of the sea has amazing views of the Aegean Sea. The largest and most grand Temple of Zeus was built in 456 BC. 15 of the original 42 foot Corinthian columns remain to this day attesting to the strength of the architectural design.

We decided to get off again at Monastiraki square. It is one of the main squares in Athens, named after the little monastery church in Plateia Monastiraki. It is well known for housing Athens' flea market. We meandered around holding onto our bags tightly. We were told that pickpocketers and thiefs abound in Athens. We didn't have any problems, though. The streets are full of shops and every morning junk dealers arrive with furniture, and odds and ends. We came upon Hadrians Library ruins and the Roman Agora. We stumbled upon a cafe by the Roman Agora and decided to sit down for a bite to eat amongst the ruins. So we're sitting right beside the Roman Agora and the Acropolis is right above us. Incredible!!! This is in a cafe off the beaten path in a city of 4 million people and who comes up to us but Bobbi and Larry, our dinner companions from the ship!! Weird!

We decided to walk around the Acropolis and then catch the bus back to the ship. We came upon a fantastic view of the Ancient Agora and marvelled at the view. There are an array of public buildings and temples in the Agora. Agora means a place of gathering. This was the political and religious heart of Ancient Athens as well as the centre of commercial and daily life. It had many schools and stoas filled with shops. The state prison and the mint were also here. It was governed by a democracy.

We arrived at an area called the Plaka. Under the slopes of the Acropolis and built around the ruins of the ancient Agora (gathering place), it has been inhabited continuously since the time of antiquity. This is Athens' oldest area featuring boutiques, cafes and tavernas. We strolled through the narrow streets and came across Hadrian's Gate and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. If memory serves me correctly, Hadrian's Gate is a triumphant gate that Hadrian built when he conquered the area. It's quite impressive. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is the largest temple in antiquity and took 700 years to complete. It's also very impressive. 15 of its majestic Corinthian columns still stand, dominating the centre of Athens and paying homage to Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods.

Our time had run out and we had to make our way back to the bus to get back to port. Waiting for the bus several older ladies with linens tried to sell us their wares. We just smiled and said "no thanks" but they wouldn't have any of it. They would say "Lady, just look and feel - you don't have to buy". We just kept walking and they would run after us still talking and pleading with us to "look and feel". Talk about not taking no for an answer!! After we got off the bus at the port terminal, we were again accosted by a guy who wanted to sell us an iPhone 6S "for a very good price". We said no thanks several times; he offered it to is for $135 and we just kept saying no until finally Vic had had enough said loudly and forcefully "NO"!! The guy looks at Vic, hurt, like Vic was out of line and whining says "I have a family with children to feed" and proceeds to try to sell us a watch! Going through the terminal to get back on the ship we had to go through Greek security. I dutifully put my purse through the X-ray machine and they pulled me aside. I always carry a small pocket knife in case we decide to have a picnic (I can cut bread, meat and cheese with it). Well, the guard, who was opening it and checking out all its gadgets, wanted it, I think, and asked the supervisor if it should be confiscated. No luck for the guard. I was given it back and proceeded to the ship. Bear in mind I was leaving Greece not entering it!!! Bizarre!!

I must say I loved the sights in Athens but I was happy to get back on the ship and away from the crazy salespeople.