This morning we returned to our local breakfast shop and greeted warmly by the proprietor who promptly offered us tea and cappuccino again.
We then met our tour guide for a free walking tour of the Ancient Greek monuments. Walter is a true Athenian scholar even though he was born in South Carolina in the US with a Greek mother Dutch father. Walter studied the classics in England where he met his Greek wife and they now call Athens home.
Our group was a good mix of travellers and we were all engrossed in Walter's commentary. Our first stop was at Hadrian's Gate - yes the same Hadrian of Scotland fame who wanted to create a "Hadrianopolous" in Athens! A short walk brought us to the first modern Olympics stadium for the 1896 games. It is a magnificent structure right in the heart of Athens . The ancient Olympics allowed only men to participate and to ensure that no women joined in, all competition was in the nude!
Our next stop via a beautiful tree lined street was to the Presidential Palace where we watched the changing of the guard. The shade provided by the trees was very much appreciated as by now the temperature was hitting the low thirties. The guards have incredible stamina to stand for the hour which they are on duty in their heavy uniforms and metal capped shoes which weigh three kgs. The president has been known to wave from the window but it was not to be today.
From this street we took a stroll through the botanical gardens which were commissioned by the first queen consort of Greece. It is a true oasis in the middle of Athens and we were surprised that very few people actually take a walk through it - apparently they feel that they will get lost!
The Parliament was our next stop which was also guarded along with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The recent riots were in the vicinity of parliament but were confined to the square opposite, apparently most Athenians were not even aware that they were going on. So much for the power of the press!
A shirt stroll brought us to an ancient Byzantine church which is currently having its frescoes painstakingly restored. Those that have been completed are truly beautiful? This street led us to the Agora where many people congregate and which is at the bottom of the Acropolis of Athens. We wound our way past the ruined of the ancient Library, the Roman ruins on our way to the highlight of our day the Parthenon. From below the walk looks steep and unforgiving but once on our way it seemed to be quite an easy walk and not at all taxing. This amazing structure with its co temples one of which is the Nike temple (not sure that this is the correct spelling but that is what it sounds like) was breathtaking from any angle. The tourist season is not yet in full swing so there was not too many people to contend with when trying for the best photo opportunity of which there were many!
The wind at the top left a gritty residue all over us but it did not deter us from staying to take in the amazing views of this city. The views from the top also took in the port city of Piraeus and the amazing mountain with the church of St George which is the highest point in Athens. Unfortunately we do not have enough time to visit this trip. The very first cinema can also be seen along with many other ancient structures within the vicinity. We took the back path down which brought us back to our starting point the New Acropolis Museum.
Luckily for us our hotel is close by and after a truly memorable day we headed back for a well deserved siesta to rest our weary feet ready for another day. Having gotten our second wind we headed out for dinner in the Plaka.
Tomorrow it will be a more relaxing day or as the Greeks would say - "siga-siga", slowly slowly. It will give our weary feet a chance to recover before we hit the road again in Santorini!
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