Athens

Here we are: in Athens for the last 2 days of our Adriatic Adventure with EF Tours!

We got a couple of hours at Bolivar Beach Club after disembarking our cruise.

Abby did the inflatable obstacle course, which ended up being a nice bonding time with her future AP ;)

Lydia and the boys took out the paddle boat with slide

Sunny in the Mediterranean!

We had lounge chairs and Margharitta pizza delivered to us on the beach!

Then we spent the afternoon in the air conditioned Acropolis Museum with a view of Acropolis.

Acropolis means "high city."

Recounts the battle between Athena and Poseidon for control. The olive tree thrived, so Athens won. 

Caryatid Statues

The six sisters supported the roof of Erechtheion.

LEGO model of Acropolis!

Arguably the best piece in the museum, but somehow not everyone even noticed it, huh.

An ancient city neighborhood was uncovered when constructing the museum. Now it is protected and displayed under the museum. 

Our hotel had a rooftop pool and great view of the largest city in Greece. It's coastal, urban, and has the looks of an economically challenged country. During the classical period, Athens was the most powerful and important city in Greece. It was also the first to fully develop democracy.

We climbed the acropolis early in the morning.

Lydia at the Parthenon
It was interesting to learn it first was a temple to Athena, but then turned into a church and also a mosque depending on who was ruling at the time.
The colossal statue of Athena made of ivory and gold that once stood inside is nowhere to be found, and I find that suspicious. 

Here’s a model again of what was sitting atop the Parthenon in the triangular section, aka west pediment.

The columns are actually curved, something that took extraordinary domain of mathematicshh and construction in 447 BC!

Always in restoration, often controversial.   

First modern Olympic stadium, 1895

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The guards change every hour with an unique and elaborate march.

2 stunning neoclassical buildings:
Academy of Athens and National Library of Greece 

We found an air conditioned restaurant with Moussaka and Souvlaki and something like Ouzo on the table, so good!

Last night-Greek Night! A meal with traditional Greek song and dance. The folk shoes have big pom poms.

 

People came up for a party train and belly dancing.

And plate smashing… Opa!

We have 2 great travelers. So glad we took this European trip together!