After a poor start to the night's sleep I managed to sleep through until around 7:30am or so. When I awoke there were only two people left in the room/apartment. One might have been the snorer (still in bed trying to get some more sleep) and a young woman whose friends had been in the room and left on earlier flights. She would follow them later in the day.
I showered and dressed and packed the small amount of stuff I brought with me again to put back in storage.
I was glad to be changing back to a single room later that day......I had planned for a big day ahead.
First on my schedule was to go to the Acropolis. It was public holiday so entry would be free and also limited until 2 or 3 pm.
I was at the entry to the Acropolis around 9:30am and was feeling fairly pleased with myself…
Until I joined a few other people making their way up the stairs and inside…
The grand/monumental entry building (Propylaia)
Restoration works have been ongoing on the Parthenon since 1973
Although significant restoration works have been continuing on-site for some time the construction of the nearby Acropolis Museum has greatly assisted efforts. The museum is used to hold, restore and display particularly fragile sculptures while replicas are used in their place on-site.
The Theatre of Herodes Atticus - is used for many performances
South Western Corner of Parthenon
Eastern end - most of the pediment was taken by a British Earl
The Parthenon was used in various ways over its long history. It spent time as a Christian Church, an Islamic Mosque and an ammunition store (which exploded when hit by Venetian bombardment). In the early 1800's the 7th Earl of Elgin (Thomas Bruce) did a deal with the Ottoman Turks to remove many of the pediment pieces and sculptures. These are now on display in the British Museum in London while the Greeks continue to try and have them returned.
View across to Lykavittos Hill
View down to Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Gate
Eastern end of Parthenon
Me in front of the Eastern end (thanks Chinese man).
North Eastern Corner of Parthenon
Erechtheion
Erechtheion
Erechtheion
There is room for a couple more people up on the Acropolis…..just not on the pathways….
By the time I was ready to depart there were many more people already up on the Acropolis than when I had arrived - and there were many more still arriving. I was glad I had missed the bulk of the crowd.
Heading to the exit - stay on the right.
Group No. 5 - not my group.
Propylaia on the way out.
In on the left - out on the right.
Propylaia
Temple of Athena Nike to the right of the Propylaia
After leaving the Acropolis I checked to see if Benaki Museum was open. I guess because it was a Public Holiday they had taken the opportunity to stay closed. Another day.…
After checking Benaki Museum I headed back towards Athens Studios via the National Gardens. I had seen some very well dressed Japanese on my way to Benaki Museum and I saw them again just after leaving the National Gardens. I assumed there had been a major function of some sort, or perhaps a wedding .
I took photos while they took photos.
I took photos while they took photos.
I took photos while they took photos.
I took photos while they took photos.
Near the National Gardens - in/beneath the footpath.
I returned to Athens Studios and considered my options and plans for the afternoon. It was still reasonably early so there was time to tick a few more things off the list(s).
I decided I would get on the motorbike and go out to Athens Olympic Sports Complex to see how it was looking after hosting the Olympics in 2004. 8yrs later they must still be getting around to deciding how to allow the public to access the facilities and how they might enliven the entire complex.
Tennis Centre
Tennis Centre - temporary fencing seems permanent.
Tennis Centre - they have hosted events since...
Olympics Athletic Centre of Athens - Spiros Louis
Olympics Athletic Centre of Athens - Spiros Louis
Greece's two largest football clubs (AEK Athens FC and Panathinaikos FC) make use of the facility as their home ground.
Tennis Centre to near the back of the Indoor Hall
Between the back of the Tennis Centre and the Olympic Stadium is a sizeable area dedicated to emergency services vehicles. Although I am not sure of what the location is used for it seems as though it is a good spot to park many, many vehicles that are not being used. There were brand new fire trucks, police cars and motorcycles parked around the building on the street, in the car park and behind the building.
I wonder if they know where all the money went………?
Police and Fire and Emergency Services Centre - lots of cars, trucks and bikes stored and going nowhere….
Police and Fire and Emergency Services Centre - lots of cars, trucks and bikes stored and going nowhere….
After not really being able to see too much from my walk around the Tennis Centre I thought I would try elsewhere for a look around. I rode to the entry to the Olympic Stadium and found the No Entry signs on temporary and permeant fences. I thought I would ask the dozing security man if I could go in. He said no - while at least two cars came and went through the road the wrong way.
Welcome to the Athens Olympic Stadium…..
Perhaps it was closed because it was a long weekend……. so I am not sure how, or where, or if you can get in to use the facilities.
Another closed road - seems some wish to get inside.
I was disappointed with the Athens Olympic Sports Complex. It is a pity.
I got back on my motorbike to go about 2km to Athens Mall on the other side of the Olympic Sports Complex. Unfortunately one way streets and closed roads didn't help the GPS so I ended up on a tollway for around 500m and had to pay 1.40Euro for the privilege.
I had intended to rationalise my clothes in Athens by discarding (sending back to Australia) those that I hadn't needed and could do without. Instead I ended going to Athens Mall for two reasons:
1. - the entire mall is illegal building works
2. - I hoped I could get a basic quick drying T-shirt and perhaps some casual shorts.
Athens Mall - Rather Impressive Illegal Building Works
Athens Mall - Rather Impressive Illegal Building Works
Athens Mall - Rather Impressive Illegal Building Works
Athens Mall - Rather Impressive Illegal Building Works
Athens Mall - Rather Impressive Illegal Building Works
I imagine someone in LAMDA Development must know someone………
I had a quick read about it and it seems that they started works on someone else's land, they weren't stopped, the local government has an interest in the project and the land was eventually resolved but the outstanding approvals have not been. The issue has been to court once before and it was found to be illegal and the case might go again…..
I picked-up a T-shirt and some shorts too.
After visiting the mall I was almost halfway to Marathon so I decided to continue onwards.
The ride out, once through the traffic, was very pleasant. The road around part of Lake Marathon was particularly enjoyable.
For the location of what may be considered one of the world's most significant battles there is not much to see and get excited about.
Memorial to Marathon Runner - I think???????
During the battle Miltiades employed new tactics that fooled the Persians into thinking it would be an easy battle for them. Miltiades thinned out the troops in the centre while beefing them up on the flanks. The tactics worked with 192 Greek soldiers killed to the 6,000 Persians.
Mound of 192 Buried - Marathon
I had finished sightseeing for the day and headed back to Athens Studios.
On my way back was the first time I had encountered serious traffic in Greece. With about 25km to go the traffic was parked. I did what most motorcyclist do and headed for the centre, the inside and/or the outside to get passed the traffic jam. Although I was travelling at around 25km/hr I was concerned that if this kept up all the way back it would take at least an hour. Luckily after around 4-6km the traffic opened up again and it was smooth sailing back into town.
Athens Studios is really well set-up and the cafe has a great selection of foods to choose from. I had tried the fish and chips so I decided to give the burger (with almost the lot) a go. With the beetroot included it was a pretty good version of an Aussie burger. It had been a long and hot day so I helped the burger down with a very refreshing beer.
A little later on in the evening I met a few Australians and a few Americans and Canadians. It seems there were always replacements for those that had left.
Ultimately it ended up being a very long day.