Greece 2008: Hearts of Athens - The Greek Getaway...

"Discipline is just choosing between what you want now and what you want most..."

(14 - 17 March 2008)

(The hearts in town)

While on the Athens City Tour, we had the opportunity to snap some pictures of heart sculptures found all over Athens. The Hearts of Athens is a new Public Art Event, inaugurated in Athens in 2008.

Heart sculptures in various shapes and sizes were sponsored by the business community. They were painted, sculptured or artfully transformed by painters, sculptors, graffiti artists, designers and other aspiring creators and were exhibit in the busy parts of the city.

Two hearts are beating, strong and true

The sound grows louder, waiting is through
Two hearts are beating, within one another
Searching is over, they have found that lover
'Two hearts are beating, they grow and grow
Together forever, never wanting to go
Two hearts are beating, as the sun goes down
A love true, a love strong, both are bound

Next Trip: 2008: Jogjakarta/Solo, Indonesia

2008: Athens City Tour 👉

Greece 2008: 01 Acropolis of Athens...

"Life is a gift of nature; but beautiful living is the gift of wisdom..." - Greek Adage

(Acropolis of Athens)

Our flight from Tunis to Athens took 8hrs 30m with a brief transit in Rome Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. We arrived Athens International Airport late at night and booked our lodging from the airport counter. 

(The map of the world at Athens Airport)

(Booking our lodging in Athens)

The Cecil Hotel Athens is situated in the centre of Athens, an ideal start point to discover Athens’ tourist attractions. We had a marvellous view of the Acropolis from our hotel room especially at night when the ancient ruins were lighted up.

Athens is the capital of Greece and was also at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings.

(The Acropolis on top of the hill)

(The start of a steep climb)

(Taking a rest half way to the top)

(The tiny Agios Eleftherios Church)

It was a cool almost-noon morning with bright sunshine. We decided to visit the Acropolis which is not very far from our hotel. We chose to get to the Acropolis by foot. From our hotel we walked to the Plaka and kept climbing the meandering stone steps. Definitely the 1.1 km hike is doable for any person in average physical condition. At first the irregular stone steps looked like a daunting climb, but after a while, we get used to it. It was a very nice energetic walk up the hill with progressive views of the ancient monuments and the city skyline. We passed white washed houses and small hill-side restaurants until we came to the small road that goes around the Acropolis to the main entrance. The entrance is from the rock of Areopagos.

(The view 150 m above sea level)

(A panoramic view of Athens)

(The path leading to the ticket counter)

The Acropolis is one of the world's most breath-taking ancient ruins. The city's exceptional museums display fascinating artifacts uncovered from these sites. We took our time admiring the ancient structures at the Acropolis, including the most emblematic building, the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike at the entrance, the Erechtheion complex is the Porch of the Caryatids, with six statues of maidens in place of Doric columns.

(An entrance to the ancient ruins)

(The western colonnade and the gate wall)

(The Caryatids, six columns of draped female figures)

(The famous Porch of the Maidens)

(Wild flowers around the ancient temple)

(The ancient ruins under major restoration)

(A building dedicated to Athena and Poseidon)

(The Erechtheum)

(The Parthenon)

(Propylaea, the monumental Acropolis gateway)

(Odeon of Herodes Atticus or Herodeon)

(An ancient artifact in situ)

(A stone Roman theater)

(Detail of the stone façade)

(Another ancient building downhill)

(A street entertainer) 

After the visit to the Acropolis, we later went to discover other hidden charms such as the dazzling Byzantine churches found all over the city and the village-like neighborhoods north of the Acropolis. Between the northern slopes of the Acropolis and Ermoú Street, pipturesque Pláka neighborhood is a tourist hot spot. We spent some time getting lost in the Plaka district's narrow pedestrian streets, lined with quaint bougainvillea-draped houses and inviting restaurant terraces. The main attraction of this historic area is its charming village ambience.

(Souvenir shops in the narrow streets)

(Miniatures figurines of local scenes)

(Homeless and street entertainers)

(The graffiti to serve a purpose)

👈 2008 Greece: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands

2008 Tunisia: Tunis 👉

Greece 2008: 02 Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands...

"Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down..." - Kobi Yamada 

(A picture on the wall, Cecil Hotel)

Today we went for a day-cruise to the three main popular islands in the Saronic Gulf, Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. There was a complimentary lunch and traditional Greek singing and dancing on board.

(Pick a boat for an idyllic one day cruise)

(A beautiful sunny day)

(Cool and windy on board of the ferry)

(Large lounges and dining areas)

It was a full-day island voyage that cruised from Flisvos Marina on a luxuriously air-conditioned ship with beautiful lounges, bars and dining areas. We could either relax and enjoy the sea breezes on the upper deck or stay in the lounge and listen to Greek music.

(The cosmopolitan Hydra island)

(Unspoilt and unique architectural beauty)

(Famous movies filmed on this beautiful island)

The first port of call was Hydra. Hydra is a small but beautiful island steeped in history and a popular destination that’s not far from the mainland. Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Myrtoan Sea and the Argolic Gulf. It is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strip of water. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea, a reference to the natural springs on the island.

(The traditional means of transportation)

(Enough time to the passengers to stroll around)

(Enjoying a walk along the picturesque warf)

(Captivating walks along the promenade)

(The Marina with docked yachts)

(An island cat by the jetty)

Its cobblestone streets, where donkeys are the primary mode of transportation, are lined with mansions and centuries-old churches. The town of Hydra was built on imposing rocky slopes, and has remained intact and unspoiled by modern development. Local residents maintain the unique legacy handed down to them by previous generations. In summer visitors go for a swim in the crystal-clear waters or sunbathe. Or one could enjoy the Greek cuisine and hospitality, and search for some souvenirs from the many souvenir shops.

(A popular getaway destination during summer)

(An island with insuperable natural beauty)

(Beautiful forts and the impressive mansions)

(Discovering the historic landmarks)

(A statue of a famous man)

(The sparkling azure sea)

(Neoclassical beach houses on the island)

(A cruise boat docking at the terminal)

(Crystal-clear waters off the islands)

(The island of romance and serenity)

(An old refuge for Saronic pirates)

(One of the many historical landmarks)

(Enjoy the breeze of the Mediterranean)

(Discovering the archaeological museum)

(Solar powered light buoy)

(Witness a long and turbulent story)

Next we disembarked at the island of Poros. It is an island of peace, romance, and relaxation. The island’s pine trees line the rugged shores and the sandy beaches. Approaching Poros by sea we could see the historical clock tower atop the island’s highest hill. The beach houses are mostly neoclassical in style, with the first built in 1463 in the area around the clock tower. We explored the town center and the Archaeological Museum. Lining the narrow streets of Poros were shops, cafés, taverns, and many bars playing both Greek and foreign music.

(The smallest of the three islands)

(A most enchanting view of the town)

(Old traditional beautiful stone houses on the hill)

(Exploring the town area by foot)

(Street artist with his paintings)

(A donkey ride through the traditional streets)

(The historical and famous clock tower)

(Souvenirs on display)

Our last stop was at the island of Aegina. Aegina is the land of the legendary Achilles. We visited the Temple of Aphaea, situated atop a pine-covered hill in the north-eastern part of the island. This was the prototype for the Parthenon. When the skies are clear, you could see the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion and the Acropolis of Athens from this spot. With the Temple of Aphaea, these temples form an isosceles triangle, which was the holy triangle of ancient times. There is the church of Saint Nectarios, which houses a silver urn with the relics of St. Nectarios, the patron saint of the island.

(Steep beaches to the sandy beaches)

(Heading towards the highest point of the island)

(The town from the mountain top)

(The Church of Saint Nektarios)

(The brick wall surrounding the church)

(Aegina is the largest of the three islands)

(Watching the activities around the promenade)

(Waiting to board the Anna Maru)

(Sail boats activities in late afternoon)

(The evening crowd at the ferry terminal)

It was already dark when we made the trip back to the mainland. From the upper deck we watched and admired the impressive beauty and spectacular colors of the sunset on the horizon.

  

(Watching the beautiful sunset)

(The sun is disappearing at the horizon)

👈 2008: Athens Tour, Greece

2008: Athens, Greece 👉