To Athens

The final leg of our Greek odyssey is about to begin as we take the 1100 hrs  bus to Athens. 

The bus was 20 minutes late but that's to be expected when they have to contend with people double parking - the clampers would have a field day here! 

The bus was almost full but passengers got on and off, including a group of ladies, who boarded at our stop and alighted the next town.  They were in great spirits! 

We continued through Parnassos Park in the opposite direction from whence we arrived in Delphi. 

 

Having passed the town of Levadia, we left the mountains behind. This is a skiing area in winter and the area must be very picturesque when covered in snow! We then entered an extremely wide valley with the mountains in the distance. We passed Thiva and took the motorway to Athens. 

 

We were c 20km from Athens when there occurred fork lightening and thunder together with tumultuous rain. The bus, which had seen better days (most of KTEL busses are excellent), began to leak water! Luckily the rain ceased as we arrived in Athens. The bus dropped us at the Metro, where we got a metro to within 60m of the Hotel! 

Hotel Phaedra is situated within a stone's throw of the Acropolis in the historic centre of Athens. (€80) and is a good 3 star. 

I'm sitting here on the room's balcony with a gentle breeze blowing - a welcome relief from the blazing sun we've just endured for the last 4 hours.  

As we have visited Athens before and 'done the sights' as they say, we set off to see Parliament Square, the centre of all demonstrations against austerity. 

 

CC and I parted company here, he to a book shop and I to continue the search for the remainder Grand Promenade which starts at Dionysius Areopagitou, near the Temple Zeus. I took this quiet leafy parkland walk to Thisio Park. 

 

I had already walked the other part along Ermou, a busy shopping street, which ends at Parliament Square. 

This is Athens historic quarter. For the 2008 Olympics, the area was pedestrianised .  This area was relieved of traffic so that citizen and tourist alike can enjoy the sites of Ancient Greece in comfort. Within this area are most of the major sites including the Acropolis and  impressively designed Acropolis museum. 

More tomorrow ....