After my two confirmed nights in the single studio room had concluded I needed to check-out of it in the morning to check-in to a 6 bed dorm later in the afternoon.
It had been a long time since I had shared accommodation with strangers (as far as I can recall Fernie in 2004 - and I only lasted a couple of nights before asking for a single room on that occasion) and I was a little unsure how it would go. Although I can't hear myself snore I have been told at least a couple of times before about how bad I can be and Gav and Shan were definitely not impressed in Niseko.
After putting all of my gear in storage I headed to watch the changing of the Presidential Guard. The Sunday 11am changing of the guard is a ceremonial one with a band and much more ceremony for the spectators.
Evzones outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Parliament
It is their turn to guard.
Black tasseled knee garters, wool stockings and pompons on red leather clogs
Scarlet garrison caps.
All in order.
After the new guards have taken their place the others march off.
Once the new guards have taken their place, and been checked by a soldier to ensure they are neat, tidy and straight, many members of the crowd set up to have their photo taken.
The soldier makes sure they are ready for photos.
The guards do not move for most of their 1hr long stint guarding. If a person does something improper next to the guard for their photo the nearby soldier sets them straight. A Japanese tourist soon found out that saluting was unacceptable.
This young lad waited patiently for his photo opportunity.
After the changing of the guard and photo frenzy died down I went through the National Gardens nearby.
The National Gardens are a very pleasant place away from the busyness of Athens nearby streets and squares. Queen Amalia commissioned the gardens in 1838 and they were completed by 1840. Many of the 500 or so plants imported for the gardens didn't too well in the Mediterranean climate.
Seems some Australian species were OK.
The turtles are thriving - sometimes stacked on each other.
When exiting the National Gardens you can see more of the Presidential Guards who are outside the Presidential Mansion. They swap ends after standing still for about 20mins.
Presidential Guards swapping ends.
From the Presidential Mansion it is a short stroll down the hill to the Panathenaic or Panathenaiko Stadium.
When I arrived, and found out they wanted to charge me a few Euro to wander around what gives every impression of being a completely open stadium, I settled for a photo from outside the fence.
While I waited a group of young Chinese asked me to take their picture while they jumped up in front of the stadium. I was happy to help out.
They offered to take my picture and wanted me to jump too………..
I am not sure if it was me unable to jump high enough, me wearing my backpack or her timing of the button press but some look like I didn't get very high at all……
This is not the high jump!
After a few goes she eventually she got one she was happy with and I needed a rest to recover………(joking). She liked it so much she wanted me to make it my facebook profile photo….done - check it.
This is the high jump!
The Panathenaic Stadium has a long history and was used for the first Modern Olympic Games in 1896 after being reconstructed from the ruins of the ancient stadium. The stadium was used again for the Athens 2004 Olympics. It is made entirely from white Penteli marble - the good stuff.
After passing by the Panathenaic Stadium I made my way to the close-by Temple of Olympian Zeus. The ruins are all the remains of what was quite possibly one of the longest running construction projects of all time that ultimately had a short period of glory.
After taking almost 700 years to build (finally funded by Hadrian) in the 2ndC AD it was then pillaged by barbarians in the 3rdC AD.
At least they eventually finished building it and it was as great as they had envisaged. Who would have thought a plan could remain in place for nearly 700years? I wonder if there is a lesson in that for some of the new areas being developed now…….? - I have had different experiences in the past…….?
You still can't touch this.
A column fell down in 1852 during a storm.
The Temple ruins are in a great location.
15 columns remain standing.
Since Hadrian was the one who funded the finalisation of the Temple there is a big gate constructed to thank him there too. Impressive since it is on an axis to the back corner of the Acropolis.
Hadrian's Gate (one of them).
I headed back to Athens Studios in the hope of checking in to my shared room. It wasn't ready yet so I grabbed the laptop to work on this website and did an update out at the Athens Studios Sports Bar while having a burger with the lot, including beetroot.
It was an effective use of time, and a little later the room was ready, so I moved in and nominally selected a top bunk…….see what happens when it is time to get into bed.
I headed back out into Athens to retrace some steps form the day before and also complete a circuit of the Acropolis.
The Acropolis and Parthenon
Mosaics in the surrounding grounds.
Doing the complete circuit gives you a clear perspective on how magnificent the site is.
The entry to the Acropolis from nearby hill.
While I was walking around I also noticed another area or two of restaurants and cafes in the Thissio district. It seems that the cafe and coffee culture is going strong……or at least if people were out spending it would be. There are so many areas with restaurants and cafes within such as small area of Athens it is remarkable. Many of them love their coffee, even it is Nescafe, and saviour it for ages.
Perhaps now that the 2nd election has taken place things will pick-up for everyone.
Misty times at the restaurants and cafes.
I returned to Athens Studios and I met Shoo and Jed. Jed had decided to travel after the death of his father and needed to quit work to do so. I think he realised life is too short and he needed to get out there and see and experience much more. I got the impression that although he was in the navy in nuclear submarines in many parts of the world he had done very little recreational travelling previously - he was always underwater…...
Jed and Shoo had been out sightseeing together and they were meeting up for dinner together and invited me to join them.
We went to a place near the Acropolis Museum which is regarded as having some of the best 'home cooked' restaurant food in Athens. It was a good meal and good to join a couple of other people to talk.
We headed back to Athens Studios after the restaurant we were in had closed and had another couple of drinks together…..until the Athen Studios Sports Bar closed….so we went next door for another one or two.
It was late.
I was hopeful that getting in late to the dorm room might mean everyone was sound asleep and I wouldn't wake them if I was snoring......I tried to get into bed quietly......I need not have worried because someone else in the room was snoring incredibly and most other people in the room were awake and throwing things at him like my mates Gavin and Shannon had to do in Niseko on our snow trip.
Eventually we got to sleep in the dorm room.
(This website update courtesy of All Time, Kastraki)