Friday, May 2, 2014

My Greece Vacation February 2014 (part3)complete


After visiting Delphi, we each filled up a bottle of water from the fountain of youth, (it's spring water located down the road right next to the Delphi site. I had a sip and brought back the rest of it home in my luggage.)

After a half day on the road, we finally arrived at Kalambaka.
We joined group with a Canadian family at Delphi, they are very delightful people.
Mom Dad Grandmother and a daughter. (they were traveling around Europe, and Greece was only one of their destinations.)

This certain looks long enough to prevent the water from splashing all over the the bathroom, but no it didn't.
I don't know, maybe it's the way I take a shower or it's just designed this way.

Woke up early and went outside for this photo outside the hotel , it's very cold. The landscape here is magnificent.

I didn't book the four days classical tour in the first place was because I wasn't interested in Catholic Monasteries. And it cost extra 190 euros for this site, didn't thought it was worth it.
But after seeing this place with my own eyes, I didn't care so much about the 190 euros it cost me.
It's really a life time experience! but no, I still don't think it's mandatory to visit this place if you're only interested in ancient Greek architecture and art.
  To me, this place is more of a travel experience than a personal interest.    








If you've saw the movie "300"
this is where the battle really took place according to Greek history.

We completed the tour and got back to Athens at around 7pm.
I was very hungry because didn't each much at lunch , so I got a jumbo hot dog!
Trust me there's a sausage somewhere under those fries/chips...
A very satisfying meal.

Next day morning, I found my way to the KTEL bus terminal near Victoria subway station.
took the bus to cape Sounion.
It's different how they collect the fares on these buses. An old man will board the bus on the half way of the ride, and collect the bus fares from each person and give you a receipt. cost 6.3 euros one way Athens to Sounion. departs every two hours.

Sounion.  entrance fee 4 euros.
A very small site, but it's on my must see list.
This place is very peaceful and quiet... until a group of local students showed up... ^_^"

I'd bring my own lunch if I knew the coffee shop near the site is just a coffee shop and not a restaurant.
had a simple sandwich and orange juice 5 euros.

Relaxed a bit and waited for the returning bus to arrive.

Some kind of protest at the Syntagma square.
The bus drop me off at Omonia square.
The downside of planning this tour on my own is the risk of language barrier.
Most of these bus drivers only speak very little english.
But to save money, this is the way to go.

It was raining when I return from Sounion to Athens, so I went back to my hotel trying to get my netbook computer to work. It wasn't working during my 4.5 hours layover at Dubai Airport for the connecting flight to Athens.

Went out later after the rain stopped. And I decided to visit the Acropolis first.

The 12 euros entrance fee includes five other sites around the Acropolis.

The Parthenon.
Yes, this is the location where my Hercules comic series began.
And I finally get to see it with my own eyes.

It's a good thing I brought my thick leather boots with me.
You don't wanna visit this place in high heels.

Can you find where the cat is in this picture?

  Finally got my first Gyros.
  Returning from my long walk at the Acropolis, I'm so hungry that I could eat a horse. But no they don't serve horses here, so I got Gyros instead.
  To be honest, Greek food don't suit my taste at all. But Gyros are awesome! And they're only 2 euros each if you bought them at the right place. I always purchase them from the souvlaki shops near the Central market on Athinas street.
And I also went to the supermarket to get a bag of chips and cola.
The supermarket is also located on Athinas street near Omonia square, they're closed on Sundays. In fact lots of stores and shops are closed on Sundays here. I'm not used to this, because I come from a place with stores open 24/7 everywhere.

Cable cars are packed with people, So glad I'm walking. ^_^

Next day I decided to take a walk to the National Geological Museum. As a fellow traveler suggested to not use the subway, and take a walk to see the city. Well, I saw the city alright, it's...umm... street art covering every building, narrow streets, a few local pedestrians walking very fast. It's only ten in the morning, most shops are closed.
  Finally something interesting to snap a photo of. Cops stopped a taxi for violating traffic regulations perhaps?
Cops don't like photos, they won't stay still and let you take their pictures. It felt like they were running away once they saw me taking their pictures.  

After walking 20 minutes, I arrived at the National Geological Museum of Athens.
I was early, they open at 11am during the winter time.
There's tons of marble statues in this place, I wasn't expecting so many statues to be preserved in this museum at all.

The famous Bronze statue of Poseidon or Zeus.
This is one of the few male statues in Greece with its pee pee still intact.

The small copy of the Colossal Athena Parthenos Statue.
And I got a 10 inch copy from a cheap souvenir shop.

Museum of Ancient Agora.
Use the Acropolis ticket to visit this place for free.
Take the stairs up to the second floor. (in Greece First floor is Second floor, because Ground floor is Zero floor.)

The new Acropolis museum.
entrance fee is 5 euros.
There's a X-ray machine and a metal detector at the entrance, it's like going through airport security without taking off your shoes and jacket.  

Theatre of Dionysus.
Located at the Southeast slope of the Acropolis, across the pedestrian path from the New Acropolis Museum. You need to buy your ticket at the West end of the Acropolis, yes, there's lots of walking and hiking involve to see these magnificent ancient ruins of Athens.
 


March of the Presidential Guards of Athens.
(Every Saturday at 11am. across the street of Syntagma square)
I almost miss this event because I was checking out the souvenir shops near the New Acropolis Museum. And I could have picked a better spot for a photo...

Arch of Hadrian.

Temple of Zeus. (free entrance with Acropolis ticket.)
There's not much left of this place, but those pillars are definitely enormous.

The 1896 olympics stadium.




When I was leaving the stadium, there was this Greek women holding her hand up at me and keep repeats "όχι"  , that means "no" in greek. I think she thought I was gonna to take her picture or something...???  guess Greeks just don't like photos^_^

Greek Police, yes they move away as soon as they saw my camera pointing at them.

Only these guys will let you snap your cameras all you want at them.
Because they're not allow to move unless you get too close.

Here is another example.
The guy with the shield turned his face away right when I hold up my camera.
And the guy on the right used his phone to cover his face.
These guys don't like Photos either.

Last day in Athens, I took the Metro to the 2004 Olympics stadium.
It's very windy and cold that day, snot won't stop dripping from my nose.

Exiting the Modern Olympics stadium, I come to the Modern Metro Mall.
It's a small shopping mall sitting on top of a Metro station.

I was here early, not much people here, and probably only the the Locals come here.

I wanted to have a Gyros before I go, but they don't serve food until 11am.
So I got this Pistachios flavor ice cream.

Still have rest of the day to explore Athens, But decided to visit the Acropolis once more.
So I purchased another ticket and went up the hill again.
This time taking it in slowly, trying to absorbed all the details before I go.  


Odeum of Herodes Atticus

The Huge Greek flag was flying on this day, and the wind was so cold.

And again the Temple of Hephaestus inside the Ancient Agora.
I didn't have enough time to see this place because they close early in the winter time. (3pm)

Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds.
This is where I took the W.C. sign photo of myself.

And at last The Monastiraki square.
  I purchased most of my souvenirs here because of this cute bearded guy.
His name is Dionisos, and the shop is located next to the Monastiraki Metro Station.
It's the second souvenir shop on the left from the station, across from the Hadrian's Library.
He'll give you a good discount on the statues and potteries.  

  In conclusion, Ancient Greece is awesome, but Modern Greece, not so much.
I have to say Greek people varies from awesome to awful. I met some very great people, and also came across some very nasty human in Greece.

  English works in Athens most of the time, but not all Greeks speak English, so be prepare to do the monkey dance if you're visiting.

  Taxi cost around 20 euros from Athens to Airport, but if you ask for the hotel to get you a Taxi it would cost you 40 euros.  

  Everything close early during the winter.

Read about what to prepare and what to expect online before you go, especially if you travel solo like me.
  Overall, I had the time of my life in Greece, this is a major life time fulfilment for me.
Ancient greek architecture, the statues, the art, it's heaven on earth!