Acropolis

View of the Acropolis from our hotel's roof at night

Another hot day here in Athens - around 35 Celsius - although we are told that last week, the temperatures were running in the mid 40s, so it depends on your point of view.  We had an organized tour of the city of Athens and the Acropolis today, and it was much poorer than the previous tour.  For one thing, the bus was full, whereas the three previous days there were only about twenty-five people on the tour.  For another, I wasn't too impressed with the stops they chose to make before the Acropolis - we could only get out at one of the spots, and it was the stadium built for the 1896 Olympic Games, which was not of too much interest to me.  Finally, because there were so many people, more than half the time I couldn't hear the guide.  Also, the Acropolis is always teeming with people, so it was a challenge to stay together as a group.  

Luckily, we had the option of leaving the group and returning to the hotel on foot, via the Plaka. Stewart was tired, but he preferred to remain with me rather than miss finding the bus and then the hotel on his own.  We had a slightly pricey lunch in the Plaka and then wandered a bit about the tourist shops, and managed to spend some more money.  Well, we are doing what we can for the Greek economy!

the Parthenon

The Karyatids of the Erechtheion

Byzantine church in the Agora area

Stewart found that the Acropolis was worth the visit, even though it was at the top of the hill!  The Acropolis has changed since I was in Athens in 1978 - the Prophylia (I think it's called) is the entry building to the summit.  This building was not there in 1978 - the reconstruction has used some of the original pieces, but most of the building has been made with modern materials.