Half Day in Athens, Greece

NCL canceled our stop at Athens earlier on the cruise because of a strike in that city and switched our day to Santorini. Then they rescheduled a half-day stop at this popular port and we were able to have our original tour operator arrange a tour for that half day. Our ship was docked at Piraeus port at 5am. It was scheduled to dock at 7 and we were suppose to get off right after that. We got off the ship and by the time we got out of the terminal it was  around 7:30. The tour guide Stephano was already there waiting for us with a big bus for the 12 of us. That bus can hold at least 30 people. He said the day before they were to pick up a group of 14 and ended up with 24 people. That was why they came with the bus just in case.

On our way to Athens, they took us to see some sights around the port area. There are many nice yachts at the marina.

The stadium that was built for the 2004 Olympics.

Then we were at the Acropolis. There was already a line for tickets to get in. Fortunately, our guide went and got tickets for us in no time. We went in and walked around the Acropolis area on our own because the guide was not allowed to go in. I believe they need to have special license to take tourists inside.

Looking down at the Theatre.

Good thing we went in early before the bus loads of excursions were there. It was considerably calm at this point.

We saw soldiers marching down after the flag ceremony at the top.

There were too many scaffolding around the structures which kind of ruined the pictures.

                                                                        Temple of Zeus

Good thing we were there early, by the time we were leaving the place looked like this ...

Mars Hill in the background. Mars Hill was where Apostle Paul preached. Stephano said the Greece Orthodox Christians would fast for 40 days before Easter and on Easter Sunday they will gather around the mass rocks and have picnics of roasted whole lamb. 

 

Looking down from Mars hill.

Mars Hill with Acropolis in the background.

The Theatre

Temple of Zeus that took 600 years to build. Now there are only a few columns still standing.

A stray dog that was following us while at the Temple. There are many stray dogs in the city and they are taken care of by all.

Olympic Stadium

Our comfortable big bus.

Parliament House/Tombs of the Unknown Soldiers

Waiting for the ceremony

Yes, our bus!

Here they come!

After the half day tour in Athens, we boarded the ship at around 11:40 and the ship left port at 1:30pm. Only four hours in Athens was really not enough but we considered ourselves lucky to even be there and had a good time. Thanks to Niko, the tour operator. Hopefully, we will be able to visit Athens again one of these days. 

We had a relaxing afternoon on the ship and then enjoyed a nice dinner at the Magenta Restaurant.