Athens 23/03/2014

Wow!!! Today was everything I expected and more.  We took a taxi from the port (Piraeus) to Athens.  I'm glad we did that.  We intended taking the 'Hop On Hop Off' bus but when we emerged from the terminal confronted by a queue of taxis, I'd guess 100 long, it became the attractive way to go.  He hit us 50 euro each.  But the advantage was realised when we arrived at the Acropolis long before the masses.  We were able to behold the magnificance of this series of structures up close with few annoying tourists around - oh wait?  Anyway, it was wonderful.
After spending an hr and a half there, we took a personally guided tour of some of Athens historical
landmarks including the Roman Agora, Olympic Stadium which was the site of the original modern
Olympics in 1896, the city of Plaka where we enjoyed lunch in a very Mediterranean atmosphere.
We saw a changing of the guard at the government house, an interesting thing to witness and glad we
did.
One thing puzzles me over here - the lane markings on the roads appear to be just a guide because
nobody uses them.  Basically if you see there is space free to fit a car, you grab it.  It appears chaotic but we haven't seen a bingle yet so it seems to work.  The taxi told me that "Police are not very strong".  So nobody observes many of the road rules like wearing helmets on motor bikes, speed,
seat belts.
After a day well spent, we got back to the ship by around 1430 and left dock about 5 minutes late. 
The maneuverability of these massive vessels is unreal.  We reversed out of the doc out past the breakwater where we cracked a U-ee and headed south through the islands and onward toward our next port in Civitavecchio (Rome).
See ya then!!!
More Images...

 

Sunrise outside our cabin this morning

The Parthenon

Temple of Zeus

Changing of the guard

Orange trees grow in the streets