Athens

Athens - the cradle of civilization. Well, at least Greeks would like you to think that. The Egyptians might have some argument with that. But certainly if drama, art and philosophy count for anything, then Athens may have its glory. This morning's view from the ship was Piraeus, the harbour city of Athens.

We met up with our guide Ioanna, pronounced Joanna and reminded ourselves once we got on the highway, why road travel for Westerners in Greece is difficult. I don't know how I did it when we drove here in 1978.

Athens is not the prettiest city, but it has its moments, as you'll see later. Of course the country is in deep economic doo doo, with an unemployment rate upwards of 25%, which brings with it a whole new set of problems.

Every tourist who arrives in Athens heads immediately to the historic centre of the city and almost the highest land, the Acropolis. Fortunately we were ahead of the throngs and also the drizzly weather that came later.

This was our third visit here and only during our first time was there no scaffolding. This will, I believe, be the norm here for many years to come, if not forever, especially if the British Museum gives back some of the pieces they purloined.

Due to bombing during Turkish occupation, many of the sections of columns, especially on the face towards the city, have been lost forever. They are continuing to put the existing pieces back in place, hopefully in the correct place after doing two incorrect reconstructions in the past. The Greeks may not be best known for their puzzle building ability.

The other major temple on the Acropolis is the Erechtheion with the dominant female statues of the caryatids. None the art work here is original anymore, as it is being protected from the elements and pollution in the new museum at the foot of the Acropolis.

Apparently they are not very particular about who they let on to the Acropolis, because look who popped up just as we were leaving.

We actually knew we might run into Bill and Brenda Fraser today, because Bill and I had been texting since we met up with their Oceania ship, the Riviera in Santorini. But the crowds, by the time we left, were mighty impressive, so it's a wonder that we stumbled across them. The remainder of our excursion took us to the original site of the modern, or present day Olympics, as well as a driving tour through downtown Athens.

I'm going to guess that this is the last time we'll be in Athens, but never say never.