With just one day slotted to see Athens, we decided to book a tour guide/driver, Thonos. He was the perfect person for this portion of our trip! He picked us up in his car (a modified taxi), drove us to each location, giving us history and other information on the way, and then letting us loose at the sites.
Acropolis
The Erechtheion
Caryatid Porch of the Erechtheion
Parthenon
Reconstruction Works of the Parthenon
Athens from Acropolis
Complete Panorama
View of Ancient Agora
View of Roman Agora
Roman Agora
Just below the Acropolis is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an amphitheatre built in 161 AD.
View of the Odeon
“Passage Forbidden – Danger!”
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
View of Amphitheatre’s Interior
Temple of Zeus
Ancient Agora
The agora was thought to be laid out in the middle of the city and served as a large market place. It was used to sell products, but also became a place to socialise with friends, as well as place for politics and religion. Above it all stands the Temple of Hephaestus, god of metal-working and craftsmanship.
Old Greek Road in Ancient Agora
Columns of Stoa of Attalos
Boys & Columns
Hiking up to Temple of Hephaestus
Ruins Along the Way
Once we reached the Temple of Hephaestus, Caleb thought it would be a great location for a new addition for his “Handstands Around the World” photo-book. However, as soon as we started taking a few shots, a guard rushed over to tell us to stop. She claimed doing handstands on ruins wasn’t safe, even though it was a random cornerstone. She didn’t want to be responsible for Caleb injuring himself, even though we tried to explain he knew how to properly do a handstand. For some reason she kept telling us she had children too and knew how they liked to do “acrobatics”. Somehow it just wasn’t getting through.
Temple of Hephaestus
Brief Blue Skies
After leaving the Ancient Agora area, Thonos told us the hill opposite the entrance is called Mars’ Hill.
Mars’ Hill
As we saw a number of people on the hill, we asked Thonos about its significance. It’s actually the hill that the Apostle Paul preached on in Acts, chapter 17, as he told the Athenians who God is and that we are made in His own image.
People Atop Mars’ Hill
We were out of time in our tour, otherwise we would have loved to hike up Mars’ Hill. Sadly, we were circling it all day and didn’t know.
Acropolis Across from Mars’ Hill
Olympic Stadium
Taking a break from the ancient areas of Athens, Thonos took us to the ‘modern’ Olympic stadium, Panathenaic Stadium.
Entrance to Panathenaic Stadium
This is where the first ‘modern’ Olympics took place in 1896. This stadium was actually reconstructed from the remains of an ancient stadium, so it is made entirely of white marble.
See the Medal Stand?
More Athens
In the couple days we had in Athens, taking day trips or touring the city, we found the perfect gelato shop and visited it once each day.
Gelato in City Square
Of course, work doesn’t sleep. Conference calls in the noisy square, late night or early morning emails in the hotel room, and emergency phone calls amidst ruins were all part of our ‘holiday.’
Conference Call in Athens
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