Well Athens is a different place than I remember from 20 years ago – a lot cleaner, hardly any smog and the makeover which accompanied the Olympic Games has certainly created a much more pleasant city to visit.  The bus services and metro are efficient, cheap and easy to use.  Once again very hot, so all the sightseeing needed to be accompanied by afternoon stops for a cold one!  As many of you know just strolling around Athens brings you face-to-face with breath-taking archaeological treasures: reminding one of the city’s enormous historical influence and the age and sophistication of early Greek society.

Starting very early, we spent a day exploring the Acropolis (which is currently being restored and is covered with the usual cranes and scaffolding which seem to accompany parts of all historical sites at the moment).  We just managed to beat the bus loads of tour groups trooping up so we were able to move freely about.  Throughout the day we worked our way around most of the other archaeological sites our ticket entitled us to enter.  We also visited the new Acropolis Museum where all the surviving treasures unearthed at the Acropolis are on display.  You can see the Parthenon from this building.  Very scenic.  The top floor is set out to match the dimensions of the Parthenon. Replicating the original stonework, they have explained the legends of Athena that were sculptured around the top surrounds of the building.

We also visited their Parliament Buildings.  Timing is everything! We caught the changing the guard and witnessed the traditional choreographed routine the soldiers perform, complete with slapping of feet and high kicks.  I will get Nick to post the video.  I’m sure it is an honour BUT it’s got to be the worst job ever!  They are dressed in a multitude of layers, including stockings, shoes with HUGE pom poms and 30 metres of pleated material, in 35 degrees.  Certainly not my idea of job satisfaction!  I was breaking out in a sweat just watching them!  Did get my photo taken with one of the cute guards – though only after his face had been wiped of sweat by a fatigue dressed guard.  As we girls know – appearance IS everything!   

Our other day in Athens was spent visiting the port and organising our trip to the Greek islands, visiting the National Archaeological Museum, the city markets and the old quarter.  On our two days in Athens we kept bumping into a group of students from St Kents, who are on a classical studies trip.  I’m not sure who was stalking who!