Day 40 - Exploring Athens

Woke up early to explore Athens. Was tipped to go to the Acropolis before 10, to beat the heat (I guess it refers to summer) and the crowd from tour groups.

Breakfast at hostel. Bread with jam and butter, with orange juice or tea or coffee or whatever drink. Quite standard hostel fare. Set off at 8.15am

A rocky outcrop near the acropolis.

Good view of Athens. Little did I know it's nothing compared to what I was going to see for the rest of the day.

Progressed on to the Acropolis. 12€ entrance fee (that allows you to enter a few more historical sites in Athens) was waved for EU Students. Just show your ID card. Muhaha!

Propylaia. The entrance to the Acropolis

Parthenon. Formerly the main temple in the Acropolis. Dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess for Athens.

The new Acropolis Musuem at the bottom (which is unfortunately, closed as they are still setting up the exhibition). It can withstand a Ricther 10 earthquake apparently. Was told that they have empty galleries to display the Elgin Marbles if it should be returned. What a way to fight back at British Museum's excuse of not returning the Elgin Marbles, because "they don't have the space to show it"

Our past is always a part of our present.

Undergoing heavy restoration works. Since 1970s apparently.

No, the place did not tilt because I sat there.

At this very site during WWII, when the Nazis took over Athens, they approached a Greek here to surrender. The Greek promptly wrapped himself with the Greek Flag and jumped off the cliff.

Erechtheion

The famous maiden pillars of Erechtheion. They are all cast apparently. The originals are in the New Acropolis Museum, and one is part of the Elgin Marbles apparently.

Steps of Parthenon

Geographer lah...sorry to take photo of rocks.

Theatre of Herodes Atticus. Built during the Roman period, restored for modern use.

Theatre of Dionysos

the (unfortunately now closed) New Acropolis Museum. Whatever carvings in the acropolis that was left after the Elgin Marbles are displayed here.

Theatre of Herodes Atticus from outside.

Just as I was leaving the Acropolis near 10am, 2 tour groups came. Phew! Went on to the nearby Filopappos Hill.

Socrates's Prison. He was locked up here till his death sentence for "corrupting the minds of young Athenians". The Greeks stored Acropolis treasure here and sealed it with concrete just before the Nazis invaded Greece.

View from the hill top.

The monument on the hill.

Another side of Athens.

A (Ottoman?) statue at the bottom of the Acropolis, unmarked. Are they trying to play down their Ottoman past?

Went on to the Temple of Olympic Zeus another historical site. If you have the Acropolis ticket bought within the week or if you're a EU student, you do not need to pay. If not, it's 2€.

Hadrian's Gate - built by the Roman emperor to tell others where his lands is.

Temple of Olympic Zeus. Boy are they spectacular.

One of the columns fell due to a storm.

Next I went on to White marbled Panathenaic Stadium. It was built during the Roman period, but restored with white marbles. It was the site of the first modern Olympics.

Small but absolutely stunning. The white marbles are simply simply gorgeous.

Went on to Plaka to search for lunch. It is basically a historical town near the bottom of Acropolis. It's off-season, so many shops and tarvens are not opened, except those with touts (which in my opinion, means tourist trap). The whole place has a quaint old feel, but it feels very touristy-fied. Something like what has happened to Chinatown back home.

After a good old Gyros from nearby Monastiriki square, Then I went on to climb Lykavittos Hill, the highest point in Athens. You must be wondering why am I climbing so many hills. Well, the next time I'm back in Athens will be on the day I fly off, which means I'll be carrying my full backpack around. Wouldn't be wise to climb around with that wouldn't it?

The hill was more than 200m high. Unfit people like me have to thank the cold weather. If not, I'll be soaked through.

What I had was a paranomic view of Athens. Boy was it worth the climb

Spot the green patch where Temple of Olympic Zeus stands?

Acropolis, and Pireaus Port beyond.

I just can't resist taking photo with such a beautiful sight. What a spoiler right.

Went on to the Museum of Cycladic Art. Quite interesting, especially when I'm going to one of the Cyclades Islands tomorrow. Then I went on to walk around central Athens.

Athens Academy. On our left stands a statue of Athens and on our right is a male Greek God. Can't remember his name. In front are the philosophers - Socrates and Plato (I think)

Next to the Academy is the Athens University and Athens Public Library.

Went back to Monastiriki Square. Decided to try a Greek meal at the Tarvena that I bought Gyros from.

Well, most Greek dishes uses Beef. That leaves out most of the things I can try. I asked the waiter what stuffed tomatoes are stuffed with, he said "rice". Then I ordered that. Turns out it contains rice AND beef. He was visibly upset when I told him that, and he asked me to reorder. I thought he will charge me for it. When I apologise for the trouble, he just pat my back and said "Don't worry about it".

An old establishment. The owner would greet regulars.

Grilled Chicken. They did not charge me for the stuffed tomatoes, which when I was about to leave, the waiter made sure that I was not charged for it.

The tarvena from outside, where the Gyros stands are.