A seamless trip on the train to Rome's Fumiciano airport and we were off on our 2 hr flight to Athens for one night prior to our Greek Island cruise.
We even had pre-arranged transport to our hotel as part of our cruise package and Mr young Greek taxi driver was a little speedy guy who had difficulty staying in the correct lane. Nevertheless he got us to our hotel safely. The airport was updated/built for the 2004 Olympics and it was shiny and new and the road into Athens was motorway standard (120km/hr in places).
We arrived to 36 degree heat and with only an afternoon to 'tourist' we headed off walking up to the Acropolis to find it had just closed. Undaunted we meandered along to the recently opened (2009) New Acropolis Museum which was outstanding. The museum has an oustanding view of the Parthenon and a glass floor in some places where you can see the archaeological dig for further treasures being undertaken. We saw one artefact, a small bronze sculpture of Athena dated at 7th century BC! It's hard to get your head around isn't it? Most of the pieces in the museum were found in the 19th century buried from when they'd been thrown in the ground when Athens came under attack from the Persians in 479 BC (we think that's the correct century!)
We had a light meal and then headed off to see some sights which included Hadrian's Arch and the remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Gardens and the Greek Parliament building. This was notable for two reasons - the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the traditionally costumed 'evzones' (guards) and the square on which the parliament building sits, the Syntagma Square where recent demonstrations regarding Greece's austerity measures have been held. There was a notable gathering of people in the square opposite and an equally noticeable police presence. We hurried along when the chanting started.
Lots of graffiti in Athens but also lots of marble - we even saw some marble street gutters!
We do spend a few hours back in Athens on our return from our cruise so hopefully will see the Acropolis then.
Tomorrow (singing commences) 'we'll be sailing, we'll be sailing, cross the waters.......'