 |
| Our day at sea yesterday was pretty rough. Rough seas, cold winds, and lots of rain. It actually snowed in the mountains surrounding Athens the day before we arrived. |
 |
| The view of Piraeus from the ship. It was a beautiful day for touring and was in the low 60s by midday. |
 |
| This is one of the smaller (yachts) harbors between Piraeus and Athens. That's a bitter orange tree that is used for marmalades and alcohol ... it's too bitter to eat. |
 |
| The first Games held under the auspices of the IOC was hosted in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens in 1896. It is constructed of marble and was also used in the Athens Games of 2004. The flag is at half staff because it's Good Friday in Greece (observation of the holiday in the Greek Orthodox Church). |
 |
| A view of the Parthenon from the Olympic Stadium of 1896. |
 |
| This is the Greek Parliament. |
 |
| The Greek soldier is guarding the Tomb of the Unknown at the Parliament. It would be a little cool in those tights. |
 |
| The Tomb of the Unknown at the Greek Parliament. |
 |
| It is clear to see that our capital is modeled after Greek buildings. |
 |
| This is the front façade of the Odeum of Herodes Atticus. It was a theater. |
 |
| Another view of the Odeon from above. |
 |
| A view of Athens from the Acropolis. |
 |
| The Parthenon was dedicated to the Goddess Athena. This is the Erechtheion and was completed in 406 BCE. |
 |
| Another view of the Parthenon high atop the Acropolis in central Athens. |
 |
| Most of the surrounding area is marble/rock. It is slippery, and I was careful not to fall. |
 |
| One more picture from atop the Acropolis. |
 |
| This is a building atop the Acropolis known as the Erechtheion. This is the porch of the Korai or Karyatids. |
 |
| This view from atop the Acropolis provides a view to the harbor in Pireaeus. |
 |
| Another view from the Acropolis. Hey, I climbed up that hill so I took lots of pictures. I also climbed that rock in the center of this picture for shots of the Acropolis. |
 |
| Everything is turning green and beginning to flower in Athens. |
 |
| The only route to access the Acropolis was on the west slope. It is the Propylaia and it contained a temple to Athena Nike. |
 |
| Here's the Museum of Athens that contains most of the statues and artifacts from Ancient Greece. |
 |
| Here's what it looked like in 5 BCE. |
