Day 28: Athens and the Acropolis Museum

We arose this morning around 0900 for our last full day in Greece. Tomorrow morning we head to the airport at 0730 to catch a 1130 flight to Houston via Philadelphia (in Coach).

We went out again for breakfast, learning yesterday we can get better food at a much lower price away from the hotel. This morning we ventured out a bit further than yesterday and settled on a sidewalk cafe called Only 1. We both had a Greek coffee and T had a ham/cheese omelet and I tried their Supreme Salty Pancake (aka crepe) with cheese, beef, egg, mushrooms, onion. Both were very, very good and almost too much to eat.

T's omelet

My Salty Pancake, aka, Crepe

Only 1 Cafe, 34 Nikis, Athens

We realized we did not bring our map with us. We were trying to decided whether or not to go back to the hotel to fetch it or to just "wing" it, knowing we had almost 24 hours to find the hotel again. Adventure over ruled common sense. We struck out southward to find the liquor store we spotted yesterday. We found it and continued westward into the Plaka. We began recognizing some landmarks and street hawkers. I don't think it would take us very long to become acclimated to the area. We stopped at a couple of shops and essentially finished our shopping for the trip.

The Acropolis was almost looming above the roof tops. We decided to try the Acropolis Museum today. Yesterday, after visiting the Acropolis itself, we were just too worn out. We passed the southeast entry point to the Acropolis and were amazed that it appeared closed...on a Saturday. It was still only about 1100 so we thought maybe they did not open until noon. We went across the street to the Acropolis Museum, paid our 5 Euros each for entry and spent the next five hours leisurely going through the exhibits and having a late lunch at the museum cafe.

Vivid Bouganvillia at the entrance to the museum

Ongoing excavation work below the entry to the museum

Lots of pottery in museum. I was told not supposed to photo after taking this shot

Greek Gold Coins

Magic Sphere

Lego Model of Acropolis

For lunch T had a variety of cold cuts and figs and raisins...and "the biggest and hardest croutons I've ever encountered". I had a cucumber, zucchini, olive oil and cream cheese salad. Both were excellent when accompanied with a glass of Greek white wine.

Lunch at the Museum

View of the Acropolis from the Museum

During lunch it became obvious that the Acropolis never did open today. Not knowing why it would be closed on a Saturday, we thanked our good luck that we visited it yesterday.

Entrance to the Museum

We left the museum around 1600, very tired, but determined to find our way back to the hotel. The bread crumbs I dropped on the way to the museum were gone. Yes, they have pigeons in Athens! We actually did OK finding our way back to the hotel, although T was getting pretty tired. We landed in the hotel bar and after a couple of drinks retired to the room. At the elevator, T saw a notice stating that there was a public service employee strike going on yesterday and today. Wow, now we really felt lucky. The Acropolis was open yesterday (first day of the strike) and the museum was open today (second day of the strike). We really lucked out!!!

Tomorrow we are supposed to call to have our luggage picked up at 0700 and we are to be in the lobby by 0715 for a 0730 departure to the airport. The vacation is coming to an end, but it was a good one and we have had a great time. This is a great hotel, just need to stay away from the restaurant and bar. It is a short walk from most of the action.