2007
On Tuesday, we had another "do it on your own" style land excursion day. We
skipped the pricey cruise tour and did it on our own. It was simple - a 3/4
mile walk to the metro from the ship, then a $2 metro ride right to the base of
the Acropolis.
The Parthenon - on Acropolis hill in Athens. (see picture) This is one of the
world's most impressive show places for the incredible architecture of the
ancient world. This structure built by the Greeks more than 2400 years ago,
stayed pretty much intact until the 1600's when an explosion from gunpowder
stored there by the Turks, pretty much toppled the structure. Later Lord Elgin,
scored another one for the Brits by "stealing" the frescoes or reliefs from the
inside of the building. They have since been on permanent display in the
British Museum. Restoration of the structure was performed in the early 1900's,
incorrectly and in 2002 a new renovation was begun to restore it correctly. Thus
the scaffolding and cranes in the picture. Seems everywhere I go, I get the
scaffolding on the beautiful buildings!!
It's an impressive structure, huge columns laid in alignment. The building faces
east-west as all temples were constructed in those times were. The columns of
marble, were made up of stacked column sections, with lead poured down the
center to keep them in alignment. Earthquakes seemed the only menace to this
form of construction which heavily relied on gravity.
We toured the buildings on the Acropolis, including an impressive museum with
artifacts collected from the area around the acropolis. Many objects greater
than 2500 years old. Our 100 year old buildings back home pale in comparison to
all this. Amazing.
After the tour of Acropolis, we went down the hill north of the Acropolis, found
the Plaka or old town area of Athens. There was a permanent flea market with
some great shopping. We also found the old Roman Agoura (market square). I
found the "Tower of the Winds", an ancient Greek sundial, one of the oldest in
existence.
Today, Wednesday 23 May, we arrived at Katakolon Greece and took a tour of the
original site of the Olympics. An impressive, serene, peaceful tree covered
area inland from this Coastal town. Here the Ancient Greeks first started the 5
day games, some 2500 years ago, and built an impressive site. Almost all of it
has collapsed from earthquakes and wear, but the museum with its relics from
the grounds helps you reconstruct the past. The main stadium where the
clothes-free Greek men competed is still there. The length, one stadia is the
distance Hercules paced out 192 steps. The Temple of Hercules, on site there,
originally housed the statue of Hercules, one of the 7 wonders of the world. It
was stolen by the Christians and moved to Constantinople, or ancient Istanbul.
Tour fact: Guess where the concept of the eternal flame started?? by Hitler
just before WWII !! This was a great tour. Now I'm into Archeological
overload!!
Tomorrow we are off to the Greek Island of Corfu. Then on to Venice.
I'll be back with you here in a few days
Yours in Travel
Bill
