Athens: very old,very new

Docked before dawn! The ship's imperative seems to be " get these folks to a meeting place and OUT to the bus in 15 minutes. This doesn't actually feel like you are rushed, except for the fact that I am just not used to having breakfast when my feet hit the floor and it has taken a while for me to figure out what to get and eat...timing of the next meal is rather uncertain and I do like to have some fuel onboard...
Interestingly...the ship is parked exactly at the bus parking lot.



Practically speaking, the unrest in Greece caused the light rail and buses to be on strike today,so I think virtually all from the ship took a tour (perhaps that is always true). Our bus crept through morning traffic to the all marble, 60 thousand capacity Olympic Stadium before creeping through modern Athens to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon.




Tom and I were here many years ago...and have no memory of the crowds we joined at the Acropolis. Maybe that is a blessing...












None of this was in need of excavation, it has all been open to the elements, and people, over the centuries. Again, it is a huge piece of real estate honoring Athena and the New Museum of the Acropolis holds the saved originals that have been found here...except for the Elgin Marble pieces ...that are still in London

A lot of restoration...a lot of wind...a lot of people...

But worth the trip.

Athens spreads around the monument in endless waves, in every direction. Most of the population of Greece is here.






After lunch in the Plaka (old city) we walked to the Tomb of the unknown and crossed places where demonstrators were blocking a major street (with all manor of motorcycles) and we saw a heavy presence of police, riot gear, flak jackets and all...However, it was energetic, but not dangerous.


Back on the ship...a little tired

Location:Athens