natjtan I broke groundhog weekend!
P had some rare peak season time off and asked if I’d like to come out to Athens where his boat is staying for a few weeks. I thought about it for about an hour. This week is my last ‘free’ week until my main client is back from holiday, my coursework I haven’t started is due in next week but when am I ever likely to visit Athens again? I said not so politely okay, I’m taking the week off!
I have no idea Saturday morning how I managed to shower, brush the cats, vacuum, sort the washing, throw my face on and last minute packing in 1 hour (I overslept!) before the taxi to the airport! Everything was last minute, booking, classes, packing, tidying, cat sitter, cleaning and realising I needed some non tired looking summer tops (thank you Stradvarius and H&M for having Summer, Autumn Fall cross over tops!)
Anyways, I have enough photos for days. I took my suspension trainer/TRX, used the hotel gym and walked miles! The taxis are cheap. The Metro and trams are easy to use and cheaper. The Greeks smoke like chimneys, but are friendly, welcoming and speak excellent English. Street dogs and cats are everywhere and look looked after. Motorbike Police look mean in their sunglasses, summer protection gear, hanging out like motorbike gangs until you see their riding mopeds! They ride 2 to a scooter so one can jump off and chase without worrying about leaving a moped. The Aegean Sea was warm and 33C+ air temp made this girl happy! I always forget to taken something. This time my cleanser which I know decanted but can’t find anywhere. Maybe the cats hid it as they sat in my case while I packed. Cats do strange things.
Saturday, we explored part of the old town/city centre and the Acropolis starting from the Ancient Agora. It wasn’t as busy as I thought it would be and definitely worth a visit even if you’re not into old rocks, the views are worth it!
Sunday, beach time! You can’t go to Greece without going to the beach! We caught the tram from the centre to the end of the line and walked about 1km away from the cabana beaches. Nothing but blue sea and skies. For the whole time we were there, I didn’t see one cloud!
Monday, more exploring, the beach and more exploring! Changing of the guard outside Parliament (pompoms and a great deal of kicking!), the National Gardens, the city centre some more, another beach and exploring Muses Hill by moonlight.
Tuesday, back to a ‘chilly’ 26C Spain!
I had a great time exploring Athens and I’ll be sharing more when I’m back to more regular scheduling next week. My mac’s playing up, it’s draining 100% battery in an hour and I’m hoping it can be fixed in the next few days. Have a great week!
Have you ever visited the Acropolis? It would have been great to walk through the ruins, but in order to preserve them, they’re now under repair and fenced off.
[…] or water parks when it gets hot? In Athens, they had along some beaches mini floating water slides just of the shore […]
Ohhh Natalie, I so loved your vivid descriptions. The motorbike police had me laughing, but is actually quite clever to have 2 or 3 police on a moped.
I am always so fascinated by what I read about these ancient heritage sites such as the Acropolis. I would love to visit sometime.
So happy you were able to get away Natalie. Great pictures, and wonderful post! 🙂
~Carl~
They looked so tough until you saw the scooter! There were some on motorbike, still 2 to a bike. Makes so much more sense!
If you ever get the opportunity to go, go! Athens itself is quite polluted, but outside the city the air’s cleaner. Historic sites are dotted all over the country and the islands are the places to go to! I took about a 1000 photos, so have lots more to share 🙂
WOW….that’s incredible.
What great pics and what a way to treat yourself! I firmly believe that the spontaneous, spur of the moment decisions turn into the best of times.
Thank you! It a great last minute decision. I have lots to catch up on, but like I said, when am I going to get the opportunity to visit again!
I went to Athens 14 years ago! I have to confess I was very disappointed with the city 🙁 It looked old and dirty, the pollution was awful and the people I came across were impolite and pushy (waiters that would yell at us if we didn’t go to their restaurants!). Maybe it has changed in these years, I am sure I would like it more now than I have seen more of the world xD
Athens is still polluted! My sinuses played up the whole time we were there! Few green areas and loads of street dogs. They looked looked after, but it was still heart breaking to see them out in the streets flaked out from the sun on concrete. We caught a tram out of the city to the beach where the air was a lot cleaner and the areas less polluted. The island are the places to go to, but we didn’t have time. Greece is definitely worth a visit!
I’m glad you were able to get away and enjoy a nice vacation. Thanks for sharing such gorgeous photos. Can’t wait to see more. Greece is definitely on my bucket list.
I’ll be sharing more! I took about a 1000 photos. Lots to share! Greece is definitely worth a trip to!
Wow what a beautiful time to visit Athens! Glad you decided to go on this last-minute holiday, it looked like it was worth it. I’ve never been to Athens or Greece before but I don’t think I need any convincing to go one day. Hope your mac gets fixed soon 🙂
It was a great last minute decision! I’m paying for it with last minute catch up, but it was worth it! Even just to feel 35C+ temps! Athens itself was quite polluted but outside the city the air was cleaner. The islands are the places to go to, but we didn’t have time! Definitely check them out if you go!
Ooh beautiful pics! Looks like a great break! 🙂
It was thank you! I’m gradually catching up on everything now I’m back!