Day Nine: Athens

We had breakfast on the ship and then prepared for disembarking.  When we got off the ship we needed to pick up our luggage and load the bus.  Our first stop was the  Palmyra Beach Hotel in Glifada so that we could drop off our luggage.  Then we headed into the centre of Athens to pick up Eva, our tour guide for the morning.  Our first stop was the Panathinaiko Stadium which was built for the  first Olympic Games of the Modern Era in 1896.  It is the only major stadium in the world built entirely of white marble. 

Stadium built for the 1st Olympic Games in 1896

We hopped back on the bus and headed for the Acropolis.  It had started to rain so we went to a gift shop until it stopped.  As we walked to the top Eva shared the history of the Acropolis.  The Acropolis is located at the top of a rocky hill and can be seen from many places as you travel around Athens.  There are many ancient buildings that have great architectural significance but  the most important is the Parthenon. Most of the structures of the Acropolis were built 461 to 429 BC.  Many of the buildings were repaired during the Hellenistic and Roman period.  Today there is still restoration going on.  It is easy to see the newer marble that has been used to repair the columns and other parts of the Parthenon.  After Eva told us about the history of the Acropolis we had a short time to take photos and admire the view.  

Marble columns on the Parthenon

Erechtheion Temple or Porch of the Maidens

Parthenon

In front of the Parthenon

Parthenon

Gathering at the base of the Parthenon

After meeting up with Carol again we climbed to the top of  Areopagus Hill to view the surrounding area.  The hill is also known as Mars Hill.  The name comes from mythology.  The apostle Paul is also supposed to have delivered a famous speech from the top of  the hill.  It was very slippery because of the rain, fortunately they have recently added metal steps so we could climb up and down more safely. 

Our Tour Director 

Mars Hill

Then Carol took us on a walking tour of the Ancient Agora.  The agora was the centre of the political and public life in Athens.  It was a large open area surrounded by buildings.  It was the centre for commerce, politics and religious activity in ancient times. 

Temple of Hephaestus from the Acropolis

 Temple of Hephaestus

We also visited the Roman Agora and saw the beautiful Tower of the Winds.  We took some time to pose for photos and rest for a few minutes.

Gate of Athena Archegetis

Columns in the Roman Agora

 Greek Gods in the Roman Agora

Tower of the Wind

Resting in the Roman Agora

We headed towards the Plaka district where Carol had arranged for us to have lunch.  Many of us had the Greek meal which included tzatziki, cheese pies called tyropitakia, salad and bread and a main course such as moussaka or pastichio.  Everything was delicious.

Lunch time

Great food and good company!

Then it was time for some shopping.  There were souvenir shops, music stores and t-shirt shops lining the streets.  Everyone was very pleased with their purchases.

Trying out a hand made bouzouki

Our final stop for the afternoon was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  We arrived in time for the changing of the Guard.  the guards are called Evzones.  They are elite ceremonial unit of the Presidential Guards. We watched the Evzones move in perfect synchronization with their high steps and swinging arms.  Their uniforms include a skirt with 400 pleats to represent the  400 hers of ottoman occupation.  All the guards must be a minimum height of  6' 1.2". 

Changing of the Guards

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On our way to the bus we stopped at Hadrian's Arch and also saw the Temple to Zeus.

Group photo at Hadrian's Arch

Temple of Zeus

We headed back to the hotel to check-in and have a much needed rest.  In the evening we went to a Greek evening. All of our group dressed up and they looked awesome!!!

What a fabulous looking group!!

There was a 3 piece band playing traditional music and male and female dancers entertained us with traditional dances from different areas of Greece.  Carol taught our students and some of the parents a Greek dance and a fun time was had by all.  Our dinner included traditional Greek appetizers such as dolmades and spanikopita (spinach pies), pork souvlaki with rice and vegetables and dessert.

The musicians

Opa!!

The dancers

Day Eight: Santorini

We were awake early on Easter Sunday and the ship had already anchored off the island of Santorini.  Our group had breakfast and then got ready to disembark  at the Skala port for  a shore excursion to the town of Oia.

Early morning on the tender boat

Tender boat to Skala

On the tender boat

Assistance to disembark

Just a few more to go

Oia is considered to be the oldest settlement on the island and home to the beautiful white buildings with blue dome roofs that are seen in photographs of Santorini.  We took a tender boat to the port and then boarded the bus with our tour guide for the morning.  He was very entertaining and told us he had been up most of the night celebrating Easter.  The bus ride was very scenic, we drove through large areas where tomatoes, fava beans, eggplants  and other produce are grown.  Santorini is also known for its vineyards.

Narrow winding roads

Overlooking the volcano

Rich agricultural land

When we arrived in Oia we were given free time to roam the winding streets and check out the gift shops.  As we walked up and down the narrow winding streets we saw people roasting lamb for their upcoming Easter dinner.

Beautiful white buildings with blue domes

Our meeting place in front of the church

Group photo!!

Windmills

All built on the side of a cliff

Many levels of streets

Contrast of colours

Church bells

Oia

Roasting lamb

We boarded the bus and returned to Fira where we walked to the cable car and descended to where the tender boats were waiting to take us back to our ship.  After a delicious lunch everyone took advantage of some free time to relax, take a nap, explore the ship and enjoy the sunshine.

Nap time

Later in the afternoon some of us went back to the port of Skala.  There are three ways to get to Fira from the port; walk up the steep hill, take the cable car or ride a donkey.  Most of the group chose to ride the donkeys while Doug, Carol and I took the cable car up to meet them.  I think the donkey ride was a highlight for many of the group even if it went by too quickly!!

Well behaved donkeys

Yeehaw!!

The man in charge

At the top

Runaway donkey

Down the steps they go

In the evening we had a leisurely dinner. Some of the students went to listen or take part in the Karaoke Night.  Others in our group went to the Music and Dance Revue in the showroom.  We had an early night because we would be leaving the cruise ship early the next morning. Our Greek cruise had come to an end!!

Farewell to Santorini