June 29 2014 Athens Greece

June 29 2014

Today we visited Athens.  The Port of Piraeus is where we docked. Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece. Its’ history spans over 3,400 years!

We were scheduled to dock at 8:15 a.m., however the Harbor Master did not let us enter until 9:15 a.m. so we were an hour late arriving.  Brent, the cruise director, came on the speakers and announced that all the port adventure times had been pushed back 1 hour.  We sat out on the ocean just outside the harbor for that hour waiting for the pilot to board so we could come in.  It was a beautiful morning on deck 10 and was a great view of the city of Athens.

Today we had a private tour scheduled with a driver that Michael arranged.  We paid $42.50 euros each, plus the admission fees to the Temple of Poseidon ($4 euros) and The Acropolis of Athens ($12 euros).  

First we stopped at Vouliagmeni Lake.  It is fed by 80% spring water from the ground and 20% ocean.  Many locals go there because it is said to have healing powers.  Our driver gave us some Greek bread to eat while we walked around the lake to take pictures.  There are even little fish in the water that will clean your dry skin!

Next, we wanted to visit a new place since we came to Athens last year, so Michael  arranged for us to visit the Temple of Poseidon which was south of Athens 1 ½ hours.  We took the coastline, stopping for pictures along the way.  Every beach was packed. Our driver told us Sundays were the busiest day on the coast because all the Greeks go to the beach.  

We arrived at Sounion which is the Temple of Poseidon.  It is on the rocky peninsula at the south east tip of Attica.  The Athenians built sanctuaries to their two most important deities:  Poseidon and Athena.  The temple of Poseidon, god of the sea, was built on the summit of the rock which rises 180 feet above the sea. It is surrounded by walls; two temples to Athena Sounias were erected.  This dates back to as early at 10 BC.  The temple was destroyed during the Persian invasion, before it was completed.  There was another temple built, a marble Doric peripteral temple with 6 x 13 columns. The ships entered below and there was a tunnel where the ships were kept to be protected.

We then headed back towards Athens and stopped to get ice cream. Our driver bought us all bottles of water so we would keep hydrated.  Once again it was a very hot day.  However, at the Temple of Poseidon it was very comfortable temperature wise because the wind was blowing so hard.  I guess that is what happens when you are 180 feet above the sea on a rocky cliff!

We then went to the Acropolis of Athens.  The sacred rock of the Acropolis was for many centuries the most important religious centre of the city of Athens.  It became home to the cult of Athena, patron goddess of the city that took her name.  The building was erected in the years 437-432 BC.  The Parthenon was the temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena. 

We then headed down to the temple of Zeus which is right in the city of Athens.  It was partially destroyed by earthquakes, but some of the pillars still exist today.

We then drove by the Olympic Stadium where the marathoners end their 26.2 mile race for the Olympics. The city still uses the stadium in May of each year when Athens holds a marathon.  It is still the finish line for that race also.

Next we went to the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace. These young men serve in the military for 2 years.  (I guess every man is required to be in the military).  They change guard every hour and have a formal ceremony.  They do it in sleet, snow, sunshine and heat. Don’t know how they do it in the heat in those uniforms.  The skirts have 400 pleats in them. The socks must be hot!

We then drove to the top of the hill overlooking Athens called St. George's Chapel.  You can see the Acropolis from St. George's Chapel and get beautiful views of the city.

Our next destinatin was driving through the city by the university, the parliament and other important buildings. After that we decided we were tired and ready to go back to the ship.  It was about 5 p.m. All aboard time was 6:45 p.m., so we had plenty of time before the ship left.

All aboard was 6:45 p.m.  We left on time.

Tonight we celebrated Greece by having a Greek menu.  For my appetizer I had the Spanakopita which was rolls of Filo Pastry stuffed with Spinach and Feta Cheese.  For my main course, I had the Yoghurt Marinated Chicken and Fennel Kabobs.  I wasn’t too crazy about them. And they were more on the warm side than hot.  For dessert they have Baklova.  I have to say I enjoyed my greek lunch at Olympia much more than the dinner tonight.  It is quite a difference when the locals fix and serve the food.

We got bandanas that said “Greek Isles” Disney Cruise Line, Disney Magic, June 26, 2014.  Of course, after dinner the dining room staff did a celebration of Greece and we all waived our bandanas yelling “Opa”.  Then we got to get up and do some greek dancing with our servers.  Michael was dancing with Alvin’s wife who is now an assistant server in the dining room and no longer working in the bar.  

Then we headed over to Fathom’s to see the Walt Disney Theater Performers dance for 70’s night.  Joey, who is one of the performers, didn’t dance tonight, but was in the bar and we had a chance to say hi again since we knew him from spending 28 nights on the Magic last year.

Keith was then chosen to do Kung Fu Fighting and then afterwards we got a picture with Keith and Maroly together.

It was a long and exhausting day.  Midnight now.  Our tour in Turkey starts tomorrow at 8 a.m.  We are on another private tour (which we actually did last year).  Chuck, our friend and travel agent, was with us last summer and arranged it.  It is such an incredible tour we are doing it again this cruise and again when Michael’s parents and Scott and Lynn join us on July 14^th.  One of the highlights is going to the family’s farmhouse and grandma fixes us the traditional Turkish lunch.  The food was one of the highlights of the trip.  We will also be visiting St. John’s, Ephesus and a couple other places.

Goodnight from the Disney Magic!