All four of us went by bus to the port at Souda on Tuesday 12th August and then took the overnight FB Eliros to Piraeus. We had booked reclining seats but the kids said it was the most uncomfortable night of their whole vagabond holiday! Whilst it was still dark we went by Metro to Syntagma Square and had breakfast whilst we waited for the Left Luggage place to open, then we walked to the Plaka and around the base of the Acropolis, follwed by a gentle climb up to the point where payment was needed. We went against the substantial tourist tide and down to the New Acropolis Museum. This is a masterpiece of architecture - built with a lot of glass - especially in the floors, and with views up to the real thing! Until December it is just 1 Euro per person to enter. There are a few grumbles about the way public behavi
our is regulated, but it is an unforgettable experience! Of course the centrepiece is the top gallery where the Parthenon friezes have been reconstructed to the original layout and a wonderful view across to their original location. There is a great deal of white plaster replica to fill the spaces where the marbles abducted by Elgin should be!Another reason to be ashamed of British citizenship!
Come on, British Museum! Give 'em back!
After several hours we were exhausted and looked in the Lonely Planet Guide for an interesting place in the Plaka for lunch. We headed past all the touting staff in the central area and found the recommended taverna - in a quiet back street. Unfortunately it is not such a good place during the day and the service and range of food was very unremarkable. Never mind - it was restful - and good for people-watching. At one point there were people there with the Lonely Planet Guides in English, French, Spanish and Italian editions. As the name of the place is not transliterated there was a lot of walking backwards and forwards before coming in - and some disappointed discussion as the reality became clear.
So - rested and marginally fed we went to the National Park for a sleep.We remember taking Chloe there when she was little to feed the ducks. No ducks now (except in an overcrowded pen) and stagnant pond - but some rather sweet turtles in a smaller pond!
.. and some kri-kri and other creatures.
Our tempers were frayed :- we put the kids on a bus to the airport and went off to find our cheap hotel. This was near Omonia Square and pretty cheap, but the reviews on the internet warned about
the rough area as well as little niggles about the facilities. In fact it was OK for one night, but with few obvious places nearby to eat. We went to a basic grill room just downstairs and watched considerable forceful police activity rounding up suspected illegals.Next day we aimed to get a bus back to Syntagma for the airport bus and waited ages only to be told we couldn't pay cash - only tickets which were not on sale anywhere close! Grrrrr! So we used thre Metro and in the two stops involved Bob's wallet was lifted! Further Grrr! - use up mobile credit ringing to stop cards! You can go off places!