Saturday 7 October 2017

Piraeus, Athens, Greece

Excursion: "The Acropolis and The Plaka"

Forecast: Sunny skies morning, possible storm late afternoon

Max 27°

Queen Victoria docked early, around 6:30am in the port of Piraeus.

It was a lovely morning and we welcomed a later start to our excursion (10am). This meant we were able to have breakfast in our Britannia Club restaurant, not room service breakfast.

Our guide today was lovely Grecian, Mariam, early 40's, lives in the port of Piraeus with a wealth of knowledge of Greek history. The myths of Greece just rolled off her tongue. Some we knew some we didn't but so fascinating and she brought to life the connection between our English language and the Greek language. I couldn't help thinking that our "little ones" are read mythical stories at bedtime (Little Red Riding Hood, Blinky Bill, Bob,the Builder etc, little Greek children hear the mythical stories of their homeland, like Zeus (the King of the Gods) married Hera (Godess of the hearth who kept a jealous eye on him and his many "love affairs", the list is endless.

The Acropolis of course was the highlight. It is visible from almost every part of Athens.

As the coach left the port of Piraeus, it was only a 35 minute drive to Athens. The port of Piraeus is delightful in itself and growing. The wealthy have seafront homes or apartments here as it is a safe anchor for large expensive yachts.

Disembarking goes very smoothly now and we have the "hang of it". Always, your ID card (room key) must be on your "person". They are scanned both leaving and returning. Our bags go through security (as at our airports), when returning to the ship.

Phil always manages to "send off" the alarm. If it's not his tablets in foil wrap, then it's loose coins in his pockets. Despite how thoroughly I think I am at taking everything from him and placing in my bag that goes through the X-ray, the detector finds something that sends his back through the "arch" and pockets searched!!

In Athens the buildings are just beautiful in their architecture. We had 15 min stop at modern Olympic stadium and a photo opportunity (that's the one of me with laurel halo and holding the Olympic torch). We passed the modern day Parliament building, statue of Lord Byron, who fought in their war of independence, much loved by Grecian people.

At the Acropolis our coach dropped us in the car park and with our guide we ascended up the mountain. About half the way up there was a cool shaded area which was to be our "meeting point" and bathrooms were also close by as too, a post office, should one want to write and post off cards.

We were issued with headphones as Mariam gave more interesting history as we ascended. The pathways were all marble, and one needed to be careful of each foot placement. I would imagine in wet weather it would be treacherous.

There were relics all around as you ascended and probably after about 20 minutes I decided that I couldn't continue the ascent, the corn of my foot, that has been giving me trouble this trip, was very painful. Phillip wanted to continue, it was obviously so important for him to stand and touch the ancient columns.

As it turned out, he couldn't get close to touch the standing columns because of all the scaffolding surrounding them, however he could touch the "fallen" slabs of marble, and that was suffice for him to fulfil his longing. He had longed to come to Athens and I was so pleased he did it. Another tick off our list!!

Paul, the Apostle, had visited Athens and the Acropolis, and preached from the rock of the Agora, about two thirds the way up. I returned to the "meeting place", in the shade. It was a lovely place to be. That's where I saw little tortoise wandering around, way up this mountain!

The olive trees provided the shade, many people of many nationalities were coming/going and resting in the same spot so the wait for Phillip was enjoyable.

Quite obvious Athens and the Acropolis in particular holds special meaning the world over. World history is so important and when you study these places, it becomes so meaningful to actually bring them to life! That is the wonder of travel.

We would have spent more than two hours at the Acropolis before we followed Mariam on foot to an area called, The Plaka. The "old" part of Athens were she had arranged for us to rest and have lunch at a Traverna. It didn't disappoint. We sat where we wanted, in the open but under shade trees, and we ordered Greek salad, tzsiki (Greek yoghurt, garlic, cucumber), hot famous potato chips and I wanted to taste authentic calamari. Olive oil, fresh bread, water of course and finished with a Greek coffee. It was a great lunch.

In The Plaka, the streets are narrow, cobblestone and many traders, every trader you could imagine can be found along it's narrow streets. I am sure without Mariam to lead us in and out we could very well have become lost. It was a real labyrinth of streets and shops. She lead us back to our waiting coach for the return trip to the port.

Another delightful day. We were back on board about 4.30pm. The predicted storm did arrive about 5pm. It was late departure 10:30pm giving people who wanted time to linger in this lovely port.

Sunday 8th October

Day at Sea

We were heading for our next port, Sarandë, Albania.

As we were now heading down east coast from Athens, circled the Pelepponese. Out into the Mediterranean and the sea was decidedly rougher. Thank goodness for our wrist bands. Today, we did not venture from our stateroom albeit for brief outdoor visits on our balcony for fresh air. Although it was a Formal Night, Black & White Ball, not the for Saunders!! We stayed in and ordered room service. Athens had taken it's toll on weary travellers!

Tomorrow the sea would be calmer as we steered up the west coast. (Wrist bands are still "norm" attire for us, even when sleeping).

Another good thing this evening we turn our clock BACK an hour as we arrive in Albania. Always a good thing to gain another hour of sleep whether at home or abroad!

We actually have "dressed up" most evenings, I can't remember what days. It generally went, port days the evening attire was "Informal", sea days, evening attire "Formal with some theme".

I have included some photos of us in "formal" attire!

One "at sea" day, we had booked dinner in The Verandah restaurant. The very posh, more posh than our regular Britannia Club restaurant and an extra cost. It was a wonderful memory.

Seven courses, all fantastic, almost three hours eating and drinking a wonderful wine. Only one wine though several glasses of same!

We had a similar experience when we dined at Eiffel Tower Restaurant in Paris on previous holiday. That was also seven courses but with accompanying seven wines! Another wonderful memory.

Love to all,