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

👈 2008: Jogjakarta/Solo, Indonesia

2008: Athens City Tour 👉

Greece 2008: Athens Hop-on Hop-off city tour...

"Life's greatest accomplishments are those that at first seem impossible..."

(A graffiti, lost in translation)

Today we experienced the best of Athens our own way, on the City sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour. We choose to travel around in the air-conditioned tour bus rather then on the open-top double-decker and created our own sightseeing itinerary.

(On the hop on hop off tour bus)

(The running man of Athens)

(Dromeas, the famous running man glass sculpture)

(A big crowd is coming to town)

(Getting ready for the Grand Parade)

(Locals and tourists crowding the streets)

We Learned about Athens’ history from the onboard audio guide and had to choose from various available routes. Many of the attractions had to be explored on foot, at our own pace, but most were seen from the bus route.

(Getting our bearing of the city)

(Athens' National Archaeological Museum)

(A group of students visiting the museum)

Founded in the 19th century, Athens' National Archaeological Museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the greatest antiquities museums in the world. The museum is housed in an impressive Neo-classical building huge exhibition space. On display are five permanent collections of exhibits, offering a comprehensive overview of Greek civilization from prehistory through the classical period to late antiquity.

(The Temple of Olympian Zeus)

Dedicated to Zeus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also called the Olympieion, was the largest temple in ancient Greece. Though the Parthenon is better preserved, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was an even more monumental structure in its day. The temple dates to the sixth century BC but was not completed until the second century AD by the Emperor Hadrian. In front of the Olympieion, not far from the entrance, stands Hadrian's Arch at the end of Dionysiou Areopagitou.

We passed the Ancient Athens's largest building, the Panathenaic Stadium. It has a capacity for 60,000 spectators. Constructed around 335 BC during the era of Herodes Atticus, the venue hosted the Panathenaic Games where runners competed in races around the track. The 204-meter-long track was designed with four double herms, where runners would turn in the races. 

(The Panaghia Kapnikaréa Byzantine Church)

(Pedestrian square at Ermou Street)

Gracing a little square that opens onto a pedestrian-only section of busy Ermoú Street, the Panaghia Kapnikaréa Church is a delightful place to visit and a site you are likely to walk past. This church is a splendid example of architecture from the 11th-century Byzantine era and a stark contrast to the modern architecture that surrounds it. It was saved from demolition in the 19th century by the intervention of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. When it was built, domed cruciform churches such as this one were typical. In the 12th century, the church was enhanced with a graceful entrance portico and a narthex featuring four pediments. Inside, the church is decorated with 19th-century paintings created in the iconographic style of the Middle Byzantine period.

(A typical Byzantine architecture)

On the site of the ancient Agora, the Church of the Holy Apostles was the only building left standing when this entire quarter of Athens was demolished to excavate the Agora archaeological site. Built in the 10th century, the church stands above a sacred spring. The exterior is notable for its ashlar masonry and its ornamental Kufic, an Arabic script inscriptions. Typical of Byzantine architecture, the church has a dome supported on four columns, and the apse and transepts feature semicircular conches. The interior of the dome is adorned with original frescoes depicting Christ Pantocrator, John the Baptist, adorable little cherubim, and archangels. Much of the original 11th-century wall of icons and religious paintings has also been well preserved.

(The downtown parade band)

(Rhythmic marching through the city centre)

(A ceremonial infantry unit uniform)

(The procession runs for about 90 minutes)

(Marching bands, clubs, societies and school children)

(The parade winds its way through the city streets)

(The parade ends at Omonia Square)

For many tourists, watching the Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square is an exciting and memorable experience. The Soldiers of the Presidential Guard stand in front of the Hellenic Parliament on Syntagma Square 24 hours a day, year-round. The guards wear traditional costumes complete with pleated skirts, leg tassels, and pompom shoes. The Changing of the Guards takes place in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument at 11am daily. This monument honors anonymous soldiers who died fighting for the country. The monument features a marble relief that imitates a warrior grave stele of ancient times. 

(A leisure walk in wooded shades)

(Fountains and statues in the garden)

(A golden street mime)

(Pretzels for afternoon snacks)

(Colorful lollipops for the sweet-toothed)

(Second hand books for sale)

(Radiant colored phone-booths on display)

(Cheap street painting for sale)

Before the end of the day, we had a leisure stroll in Athens National Garden. It is the most well-known and favorite park for locals located in the heart of the city, just behind the Greek Parliament and the central square of Syntagma. It is the perfect spot to go for a picnic, go for a jog, or discover the duck ponds and the small zoo. Later we walked along the busy streets on the way to our hotel and watched the local scenes along the route.

(Rubbish dumbs on the road side)

(Posters and graffiti on the wall)

This week, the municipal workers in Athens were on a series of strikes and protest marches set to halt garbage collection and municipal services and disrupt public transport. Protest marches were planned by several unions in Athens a debate in parliament on the proposed government reforms. We could see garbage neatly pile up on the streets all over Athens. 

Tonight we indulged in a sumptuous Thai meal at a famous Thai Restaurant in down town.

(In the comfort of our hotel room)

👈 2008 Greece: Hearts of Athens

2008 Greece: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands 👉

Greece 2008: 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 👉