Grecian Holiday – Part XV – Athens, Greece – June 5 - 6, 2010

We have arrived to a rainy, wet Athens this morning. We are docked right behind SDI. FT watched the captain dock the boat and has decided that he parallel parks the boat better than she does a car. We had a driver lined up to pick us up so we were off the ship around 8:45 and on our way to town. There was only a small group wishing us well as we left the ship, a spa girl and Peter, so we did not have a chance to tell the Captain how much we enjoyed our voyage. Perhaps it was due to the steady light rain, but for the first time ever, we hauled our own carryon luggage down the gangplank. Just as we headed across the street, June came dashing back from the terminal giving FT an umbrella and snatching away her bag. As we entered the terminal, FT got a chance to give Amy one last hug.

We had an adventure with our cab driver. Suddenly all of our bags no longer fit in the trunk of the taxi. The driver insisted on using netting to hold the bags in the trunk. FT’s new leather bag that she had just gotten in Santorini fell out as we drove away. FT heard the other taxi drivers yelling something as we left but didn’t understand the Greek and our driver didn't pay attention. One of the other drivers called our driver before we got very far and we went back and got the bag, which contained several bottles of wine which luckily did not rupture. This time the driver agreed with me that the bag would be better off in the front seat and we have arrived at the GB with no further incidents.

We later got a call from the cab company who was to take us to the airport tomorrow. They let us know that in their opinion we had too many bags and needed two cabs. George the Taxi Driver wanted to send two cabs and charge us 100 Euro for the privilege. Seems he won't put any luggage inside the cab on the front seat. Balderdash! I canceled them and we ended up with a nice driver that was 20 Euro less than originally quoted by the first company, who easily fit everything in his cab. No more for that highly recommended cab company.

We eventually made it to the Grande Bretagne, and checked in. We were upgraded room this time to a room on the second floor with a balcony overlooking Syntagma Square and the Parliament building. It came with a complimentary bottle of ouzo. Got a phone call from my cousin and we agreed to meet later this afternoon. In the meantime FT and I went out and walked the Plaka area on our own. We found a nice restaurant and had a lunch of salad, and then went back to the hotel and rested.

While resting a din arose outside the room. It seems that there is a protest in Athens today. It was very peaceful, simply hoards of people streaming by with loudspeakers. Real guards have lined up in front of Parliament and the street in front of the hotel and Parliament are blocked. No one at the hotel had any knowledge of this earlier or if they did we weren't warned.

We have seen some of our fellow passengers here in the GB hotel and on the streets of Athens. By now Bartender Clint should be at the Athens airport, waiting for his flight to Ireland to take him to Boston for a week to start his vacation before he returns home to South Africa. Hope he has safe travels along with the rest of the Sea Dream crew leaving today for well-deserved breaks.

We spent a lovely afternoon with my cousin walking the plaka and enjoying dinner. I had never met her before and it was a real treat! It was then time to turn in before the long day home tomorrow.

Travel back from Athens was a non-event, of course, until we hit Atlanta. First, by being honest on our customs declaration we were shunted aside into the separate processing room and thought we were going to miss our connecting flight. What we learned was that all goods bought in Turkey are exempt from duty so we didn’t have to pay anything extra. The agent looked hard to find a way to not have to do the paperwork and collect the small fee and we were soon on our merry way to connect.

We should not have worried about the connection, we were delayed, first due to a late arriving aircraft and then to problems with the air conditioning. We finally got home, about 45 minutes late, with all of our possessions, including carpets, wine, ouzo, spices, tea, mosaic tiles, etc. Thus ends our adventure!

More pictures are available on my flickr page by clicking HERE

The author of this blog is not compensated by Sea Dream Yacht Club in any manner.

Grecian Holiday – Part II – Athens – May 23, 2010

Today dawned bright and sunny. How we are up and moving is beyond me as we both awoke around 6:00 a.m. Athens time, which is still 11:00 p.m. at home, going to bed time. We enjoyed breakfast at the Grande Bretagne Roof Garden. The restaurant provides incredible views of the Acropolis, Syntagma Square and the ancient wonders of Athens. Also clearly visible is Kalimarmaro Stadium—the first stadium to host the Olympic Games. The restaurant provides an American style breakfast buffet. Even though the views are incredible we did not dally over breakfast we wanted to be at the Acropolis when it opened at 8:00 a.m.

Views from the Grande Bretagne Roof Garden restaurant at breakfast

We left the hotel and walked down avenue Vasilissis Amalias, past the parliament, and the Arch of Hadrian to Dionysiou Areopagitou, where we headed up to the Acropolis. This route took us by the New Acropolis Museum, The Theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a theater which is still in use. We also passed dozens of dogs. There are dogs all over Athens, all well behaved, most with collars, and all seemingly harmless.

Athenian Dog

As we walked I heard the sounds of a typical Sunday morning church service drifting over the area. We found a small church that was broadcasting the Othoros over there loudspeakers. A little later we heard the same service emanating from another church. Both very beautiful, but both are very different. One was being sung in the traditional “Byzantine” style and the other in a more “Western” version. It was very moving as this day happened to be Pentecost.

Views on the walk up

When we reached the Acropolis ticket area, we presented our tickets and proceeded up the few switchbacks leading to the top. As you climb the hill the first thing you notice off to the right is the beautiful Odeon (Theater) of Herodes Atticus, which is a 5,000 seat amphitheater, built in approximately 161 A. D., that is still in use, for musical productions. The view is incredible.

Odeon of Herodes Astticus from different locations

As we continued up we were met by a troop of Evzones descending from atop the Acropolis. I can only assume that they had been there to raise the flag that morning. It is worth noting that they were all armed with some type of rifles.

The Evzones

We finally rounded a corner and came upon the Propylaea, or main gate to the Acropolis. It is a large U – Shaped area, with a central hallway flanked by six columns on each side. The central building of the U looks like a mini Parthenon. Once atop the Acropolis, which is really a flat slightly sloping limestone ridge approximately 7 acres in size, you are struck by the massiveness and beauty of the Parthenon.

Views of and from the Propylaea

The Parthenon speaks for itself and no description here could be complete or needed.

To the left of the Parthenon is the Erechtheion, a building that may have been even more prestigious than the Parthenon itself. It is a two story structure, with Ionic columns on both ends and stands on one of the oldest sites on the hill. On the south side of the building is the famous Porch of the Caryatids, which is a balcony that has six statues of maiden acting as columns to support the roof.

Erechtheion

At the East end of the hill flies a huge blue and white Greek flag. The view from this site is incredible, and includes the Plaka, Lykavittos Hill, and the Panathenic Stadium. The view to the south includes the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the Arch of Hadrian, The Theater of Dionysys ( it is now in ruins), and the New Acropolis Museum. In the distance you can see the sea and the Port of Piraeus.

Views from atop the Acropolis

After spending an hour or so atop the Acropolis we continued our journey by heading down the hill. Our first stop was Mars Hill, which is also known as the Areopagus. The Apostle Paul is said to have preached to Athenians from atop this hill. We enjoyed the views, and then headed down to the Ancient Agora, entering it from the rear entrance.

Our first stop was the beautiful Church of the Holy Apostles, which was built around 1000 A.D. It is in the shape of a Greek cross (four equal arms) and topped by a dome. It has tall horseshoe shaped windows. The icon in the dome, as is traditional is the icon of Jesus as Pantocrator. The iconastion still stand but lacks any icons.

Church of the Holy Apostles

We then proceeded to explore the rest of the agora, stopping first at the Stoa of Attalos, which was an ancient version of today’s malls. It is two stories high, 381 feet long and 64 feet wide. There are numerous columns supporting the structure. It also contains the Agora Museum. After paying these sites a visit we continued wandering the site and made our way to the Temple of Hephaistos.

The Temple of Hephaistos, is one of the best preserved and most typical of all temples. It was finished around 415 B.C. There are six columns on each end and thirteen on each side. I found this temple to be even more impressive than the more famous ones because of its completeness.

The Temple of Hephaistos

As it was approaching noon we made our way back to the hotel to finish packing, checkout, and a light lunch at the Grande Bretagne Roof Garden. FT enjoyed a wonderful Mozzarella and Tomato salad. As to what I enjoyed, that shall remain a mystery as I simply do not remember. We saw a number of other couples at lunch who we would meet again shortly on board SDII.

We were picked upped by our cab at 2:00 p.m. and whisked to Piraeus. After a short 20 minute ride we were dropped off right at the SD check in desk. Check in was a bit strange in the way they do things because you have to clear security before the porters take your bags, however I digress. Who do we immediately see, but the commodore - James. He and his family had been on board and he had some work to finish up before departing. We spent a few minutes with him and his family and then it was off to the ship.

As we walked up the gangway we were greeted by Captain Johan Drynes, and some familiar faces, including Hotel Manager Peter. We were handed the “obligatory” glass of champagne and cold towel. We were then escorted to the lounge where we waited just a few minutes to be processed in. I was greeted by Zoltan with one of my favorite Hungarian martinis that he makes for me! FT noted that Chef Jose was serving caviar in the lounge. We were quickly checked in and escorted to our suite by Smylia our stewardess, who did a wonderful job for the two weeks we were on board. Our luggage quickly arrived and we unpacked.

As we have been on the yacht numerous times there was no need to explore. FT went and had a foot massage and I visited Clint at the TOY. After the mandatory safety drill I had a massage and missed sail away, which occurred promptly at 6:00 p.m. Oh well, when I looked up we were out in the Aegean and it was time to get ready for cocktails.

As FT hates to dine in the dining room she had arranged a table outside for us on Deck 4 aft (This was a nightly occurrence, though occasionally when everyone was outside we dined on deck five.). The sunset was absolutely gorgeous.

Tonight’s menu included:

Starters

Rosette of Prosciutto Ham with Melon Tricolore, Grissini and Crushed Black Pepper
Grilled Escalope of Norwegian Salmon on asparagus Salad and Egg Tartar
Sea Scallops Skewer on Thai Risotto and Chicken Galangal Soup

Soups

Cream of Celery Flavored with Nutmeg
Chilled Cucumber and Dill Soup
Pork and Noodle Soup with Red Chilli

Salads

Greek Style Salad with Feta Cheese
Hot and Tangy Prawn with Fruit Salad

World Flavor

Grilled Veal Saltimbocca with Fresh Sage
Herb Linguini and Marsala Sauce

Chef’s Main Dishes

Fresh Yellow Fin Tuna Steak on Roasted Zucchini
Mignon of Beef Tenderloin on Truffle infused Demi-glace
Supreme of Free Range Chicken on Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Dessert

Grand Marnier Soufflé
Sautéed Strawberries with Candied Black Olives and Olive Oil Ice Cream
Coconut Rice Pudding

After dinner a DVD was shown in the main salon – “Yanni – Live at the Acropolis” In addition the Piano Bar was open with Zoltan serving drinks and the TOY was open with Clint and Colin taking care of everyone’s needs. (As per Sea Dream customs the TY and the Piano Bar operate every night so I will not mention this again.) We ended up turning in early, as is our habit because every day is packed with off ship activities. When we got back to the cabin we found the usual first night treat - Sea Dream pajamas, which of course were embroidered with our names, as is the custom. Our distance to the next port, Santorini, is 134 nautical miles.

More pictures are available on my flickr page by clicking HERE

The author of this blog is not compensated by Sea Dream Yacht Club in any manner.