Athens - Wyona and Greg

Athens 

I planned another day off the ship in Athens, taking the bus, metro, tram and heading off to the Acropolis Museum which Greg was keen to see.

.... trolley in Athens ...

We headed for the tourist information, found out that we should take bus 843 not 859 like google said and we found out where to buy the bus ticket.

We were so smart, took the bus, took the metro, got off the metro but could not find a tram stop.

I asked a girl who got off where the tram stop was located.

We saw it but had to cross three lanes of traffic to a medium, cross another three lanes, cross the tram tracks, run up a path next to the tram tracks and there was the tram stop.

We made it.

Tram 3 came and we took it.

The ride was amazing.

We went by the sea, up some interesting streets and saw that all the buildings were five or more stories all the windows had balconies covered by large awnings, spied the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ a number of times so we knew we picked a good route.

... Athens apartments with awnings ....

When I went on google the night before all the stops were in Greek and written using the Greek alphabet.

So I carefully copied all the stops we needed in Greek.

Greg went up to check the map while we were on the train to see if we were on the right track to get us to the Acropolis Museum.

photo taken from bus in Athens; notice how long and hilly

After coming back and sitting down, he told me my Greek was perfect so we were on the right track, and we should get off one stop before the end of the ride.

Trouble was, the tram stopped two stops too soon and the tram track was blocked off. After walking, too long for me, I saw a bus 40.

This was the same bus I saw at the bus stop near the ship.

I informed Greg that I could not walk any farther so I was taking that bus 40 back to the ship.

by the sea on tram ride

Asked a Chinese girl which side of the street I should be on to get back to Piraeus, the port.

Followed her instructions and waited for the bus while Greg walked on without me.

The bus went through some pretty scary streets but I just took a seat, watched people get on and off the bus and held onto my bag.

So 50 stops and one hour later I was the last person on the bus and got kicked off but there was the ship and a smile on my face.

Safe at last!

Wyona

Cruising Athens

Now my pictures are out of order but I am trying. This is Greg talking to a staff member as we go through the Mesina Straight. Even though the straight is wide, by law a pilot boat must go beside to guide the way. The guide boat is a small boat.
The above is a photo of the Italian shoreline from the ship. On the other side of the water is Stromboli, a volcano that is still active. We could see smoke coming from the middle of the crator.


Hi again. Here our ship is docked in Piraeus, a suburb of Athens. The ship is magnificent. Some different musical group playing in three different places on the ship at one time, a live show in the theatre every night, games of all sorts, a grand casino and food lounges everywhere.
It is a long way down!
November 17, 2010

I happen to have lost track of time. However, I do remember that today we docked in Piraeus and then Greg and I took the metro/train into Athens to visit the Acropolis. Upon entering the tube, Greg again, was surrounded and pushed by two men while the woman brushed up against him while feeling his pocket. Greg just flung his hand hard down by his side and the three of them just looked like they did not know what they were doing. Now I here that Moiya lost her wallet. But nevertheless, we continue to travel.

Just a stunning panoramic view of Athens from the Acropolis.So many uneven stairs to walk up to get to the top of the Acropolis but such a wondrous sight; a panoramic view from all sides when you get to the top.

We got taken by the Sunshine Express Train. We paid 5 euros each to take this hop on hop off thing which we only hopped on once; never did we see it again but the one 45 minute ride we took was a hoot, including hitting a man on a motorscooter.

The sea is beautiful. Yesterday we went through the Mesina Straights, between Sicily and Italy. Today the ship is floating back and forth, more than ever.

Greg did Rome on his own for 7.5 hours. I did eight days in May in Rome so I stayed on the ship.

Greg also did Florence with an excursion group.

Tomorrow we are in Turkey and go on an excursion together to see more old rocks and ruins. We are having a holiday of a lifetime!