The Acropolis, Parthenon, Lunch, and Setting Sail

How much luggage do 50 guys need for a week at sea?

Have I mentioned that Athens was hot? Like over 100F (38C) and very humid. I can see why those with the means leave the city in August. To beat some of the heat, we had an early start for a tour of the Acropolis and new Parthenon Museum. John, the instigator for the previous evening’s fun, decided to skip the tour in favor of a massage to settle a pinched nerve. He also wanted to get a haircut in order to be especially handsome for his boarding pass picture. So it was just me and Jay on the morning tour along with about 15 others. We left our luggage in the lobby and set off into the city.

Faye: our tour guide

Our tour guide, Faye was a delightfully sarcastic language instructor who spent nearly as much time teaching us that “we all speak Greek” as she spent explaining that nothing is new, it has all been done before by the ancient Greeks. She reminded me of the father from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. However, she was eager to share her country’s rich history – the good and the bad – as we slowly made our way through the winding streets towards the Acropolis. 

Jay: Gorgeous with only a few hours of sleep....

 

The first time I visited this site was in 1996 during a nine hour layover on my way to the island of Mykonos. We had no guide and we had to find our way by bus and foot up to the ruins. This time, I had a much better understanding and appreciation of how and why the buildings were made – i.e. no slave labor. There was a brisk breeze at the top of the hill and we spent our limited time clicking as many pictures as possible before being led back down the hill to the new Parthenon museum. 

Entrance to the Odeon

The modern side of the same wall with the modern city of Athens in the background

Jay at the Amphitheater

Where in the world is Glenn?

Jay at the Parthenon

Parts of the original frieze that were not taken by Lord Elgin to the British Museum

The other side: Original sculptures (from around 500 BCE)

Jay in Greece

The Temple of Poseidon

The Temple of Athena

Ahh – air conditioning. The museum is very modern and is constructed over an archeological site. The glass floors allow visitors to catch a glimpse of ruins from 2500 years ago. You can see a portion of the ancient city and how it was organized around fountains, benches, and curving streets. With a little imagination, it was easy to see that cities have not changed much over the millennia. The rest of the museum included the remaining marbles from the top of the Parthenon building as well as some of the original columns and frescos from the inner part of the building. Luckily, the last time I was in London, I made a point of visiting the British Museum to view the originals, which are stunning. The copies, are not very well executed, and are intended mainly as a means to highlight that many of Greece’s cultural treasures reside outside of the county in other European museums. 

Following the Museum tour we rejoined our ship mates for an al fresco lunch of stuffed tomatoes, dolmatha, spanakopita, moussaka, chicken kebobs, and braised veal in tomato sauce. After a few bottles of water and a couple jugs of wine we were all happy, refreshed, and eager to board our buses for the ship. I am guessing the slim physique I work so hard at maintaining will be expanding over the next week or so – but fitness and vacation are not two words that I often say together.

Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

After a rather long bus ride to the port – complete with a short nap, we were dockside and ready to board the ship around 2:30. The process was not nearly as efficient as that used by Holland America to get 2500 people on board, but we were eventually all processed and welcomed on board.  I was looking forward to getting to my cabin for some quick unpacking, to be followed by the raising of the sails, dinner, and a welcome aboard toga party. I am already worn out and the day is only half over. 

Frieze on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier