Athens, Greece

I thought Athens would be this big tourist city with a zillion things to see and do.  Turns out, you can see everything there in about one day (that even gives you time to get lost and climb a few wrong hills too).  Everything is very easy to get to (walking distance) and because their economy is on the rocks, shopping is not a factor (although, seriously, it was really depressing to see how their economy is struggling).

The first thing we set off to do was the Acropolis. People lived at the Acropolis until the late 6th century BC.  It was declared as a province to the Gods in 510 BC.  Unfortunately, it was basically reduced to ashes in the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC by the Prussians.  Rebuilding took place but it became a place of temples only.

The Parthenon is one of the most known structures at the Acropolis.  In order to create a perfect building, the columns become narrower towards the top and the bases curve slightly upwards  towards the ends.  This gives the image that they are straight.  This building was dedicated to the godess Athena.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus: A stone theater

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Us by the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Maps to Go.com!  The best Travel Ap out there!  We learned so much.

The Hephaistion: An ancient Greek temple that is almost entirely preserved.

The steps up to the Parthenon area.

The Parthenon.

The decor that goes at the top (the triangle that is partially missing) can be found in the British Museum.  It took me awhile to figure out that I had seen in before going.

The Erechtheion (a temple)

A close-up of the Erechtheion's six maidens.

Another Stadium

A look at the Temple of the Olypian Zeus.

Extra pieces!

City scape.

A stone chair in a stadium.

A stadium

At the Acropolis Museum where ruins are protected.

At the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Shea was not impressed with this Temple.

I thought it was doing pretty good considering is survived a few wars, fires, and earthquakes.

Still not impressed.

The Acropolis on the hill.

Us at the Ancient Olympic Stadium 

No Unicorn for YOU!

 After finishing our explorations of Athens, we went back to the boat to watch Athens go by.  As the boat was leaving, we noticed this little guy giving us a little help!

And then we saw the most mesmerizing mullet that night!  Wish the picture had turned out better.