Athens, Greece

10:10 AM Unknown 2 Comments

Now that wasn't exactly the view we got but it is what we got on top of our hotel. (More on that later)

We walked through the market area and took a left down Ermou and ran into all of the flea market. The street was lined with antiques, furniture, and all sorts of odds and ends. We walked past Pittaki street that Britt called lamp shade street. It was our first moment where we stopped what we were doing to just enjoy where we were. To see all these different shades lined down the street was just amazing. We read later that it was an experiment in urban rejuvenation an that all of the lights were rebuilt with weatherproofing and proper wiring to light up the street and help bring a positive impact to other travelers! 

We eventually figured out that we were turned around and went back towards where we were supposed to be. The Plaka Hotel was really easy to find once we knew what roads we were on. It is right on the corner of Mitropoleos and Kapnikareas, a great location for the delicious food and drink available in the Plaka area. We checked in and spoke with the staff who were really friendly and helpful showing us what we could see in just over a day. We also found out that we were very lucky to have traveled to Athens on the same day that the National Monuments were free of charge. 

After we were settled and showered, we went out to enjoy our first meal in Greece! We didn't have to go too far to find a great place with outdoor seating, Greek wine, Greek food, and fries for me. We went to the outside seating at Twister and ordered a couple glasses of red wine from the label Omicron. I believe it was Xinomavro varietal and it was really nice. The nose was nice and floral and the taste had a nice hint of berry and spice that finished tannic and dry. 

Britt ordered fried tomato balls for a starter and lamb in olive oil for her main dish and I, of course, ordered some fried potatoes. Britt said the lamb was the most succulent she has ever had. It fell right off the bone. It came served with roasted potatoes and a sweet mustard sauce. The fried tomato balls were also very good, bursting with tomato flavor and spices, they were a great starter for the lamb.  After we enjoyed our meals the waiter brought us out a couple of complimentary shots of Ouzo for us. Like we've said, we only encountered incredible friendly and hospitable people in Greece. Some of the nicest people we have ever met. 

After dinner, we stayed close to the Plaka are and walked around to see what was around. After our dinner settled a bit, we stopped to get some Baklava at METPOΠOΛ KAΦE (Metropol Cafe). We ordered a liter of their house made wine and a piece of Baklava. When it arrived, you could tell that it was soaked in honey and was unparalleled to anything I had had before it. We have tried and cannot put into words how good this treat was. The top was crisp and perfectly flaky, the inside was moist and full of honey and nuts. The honey was incredible and unlike a lot of the honey we have locally. It was more rich and less sugary sweet and added a lot to the nutty pastry that we enjoyed.

After our flavorful treat we walked around a bit more, we decided to check out the rooftop bar at the hotel to watch the sunset. The bar was one floor above our room so we walked up to grab another drink and enjoy the sunset while viewing the Acropolis. Britt got an Ouzo cocktail and I, a Mythos. The view was astonishing from the top of the hotel. It gave us a front row seat to a sunset and the illumination of the Acropolis. I would try to describe just how beautiful it was but photographs might be the only way we can share it with you.

After a great first day in Greece, eating and drinking our way through Plaka, we went in to sleep. Tomorrow would be a great day again. 

We started our second day out in the hotel getting our "English breakfast" that the Plaka Hotel offered. Britt got eggs, bacon, tomato, and beans, and I chose some wheat cereal, toast, and pastries. 

It was good to fuel up for our day because we had a lot of climbing to do. We packed up all of our things as we were leaving that night. We left our things in the closet next to the front desk. We then walked up where our hostess showed us the path to the Acropolis was and meandered through the streets headed up and up hoping we were going the right way. Sometimes, going the right way isn't as important as seeing and experiencing where you are. The nice thing about the Acropolis is that it is easy to see from anywhere and heading in the general direction was easy enough to find our way through little alleyways and shops. We climbed up on the top of a hill that overlooked Athens. The view was breathtaking but trash was overflowing out of the baskets. It was sad to see such a great and inspiring view be treated with so little respect but we walked back down after a few photos. 

We went to the ticket booth for our free tickets and then into the queue to head up to see the Parthenon and all of the other beautiful ancient architecture that lay above us. First we saw Herodeon, the theatre on the western slope of the Acropolis. 

As we kept walking up the pathway, and then up the steps we were met by something you cannot prepare for. You see it in books, you can see it the entire walk up, but when you are up close and can see it just in front of you, everything you thought you'd see is obliterated. More and more we realized that we would be experiencing so many places on this trip that we could not prepare for. Once again, this might be easier to show you our photographs but remember, these do not give you the full experience. We hope that it will inspire you to experience this wonder for yourself.