19.05.2011 -Greece Athens

We joined a local guide for our Athens sightseeing tour. We enjoyed the glory in abundance, from the Parthenon and Acropolis to the temple of Zues. The temple of the wingless Victory and Hadrian's Arch. What a dissapointment really, all you could see were 1000's of people everywhere, pushing and shoving on very slippery marble. Then to top it off, my camera battery died, so not many photos were taken, instead I bought some postcards!

We had the rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore the streets and shopping in Athens. Four of us (Tony and Maureen, Carole and I) peeled off to go to the 'Plaka' Athens flea market area. We decided to stop for a coffee, but we got totally ripped off, the guy that served us looked seriously doddgy, and made us pay for water!! I had to cancel my greek salad, as everyone had already finished their toasted sandwiches and mine was still probably picked in the fields, and boy I was not popular for cancelling!! We had a great afternoon, walking in the rain, buying trinkets all over the place, untill we caught the hotel shuttle bus at 4.30pm. The saddest thing is to see all the stray dogs in the city. They are all friendly and very well fed, as all the restaurants put food out for them...very sad.

Tonight we enjoyed a traditional Greek Taverna meal in the Plaka with traditional entertainment, I did get a sad moment when they played 'Zorba the Greek' song as it reminded me of my dad. As kids on the plots we used to do thes mini concerts for the local kids, and we used to do 'Zorba the Greek dancing'. Anyway I am sure he was watching!

Tomorrow we boad our cruiseship and we set sail for the Cyclades. We sail onboard "Louis Majesty" takes 1800 passengers. The itinerary is as follows:

Fri - Depart on ship 11am

Fri-Mykonos 6pm-11pm

Sat-Kusadasi (Turkey) 7am-12pm

Sat-Patmos 4pm-9pm

Sun-Crete 7am-11.30am

Sun-Santorini 4.30pm-9pm

Mon-Athens 7am ferry to Italy-Ancona