Greece 2008: 03 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 chose to travel around in the air-conditioned tour bus rather than 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 paintings 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 downtown Athens.

(In the comfort of our hotel room)

Next morning, we checked out early and took the train to the airport. Our flight was to Rome where we transited for a night then took the noon flight next day back to Malaysia.

(Notice on the screen)

(Goodbye Athens...)

👈 2008 Greece: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina islands

  Next Trip: Indonesia 2008: Jogjakarta and Solo Trip

Tunisia: Tracing the Berber Trail...

 "A long lasting relationship comes with a lot of forgiveness and understanding..."

(Tunisian puppets with traditional costumes)

The Republic of Tunisia lies in the western region of North Africa. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, also marks the northern tip of the entire African continent. Tunisia shares borders with Algeria to the west and southwest, and Libya to the southeast - both nations facing ongoing internal conflicts - while the Mediterranean Sea stretches along its northern and eastern coasts.

The majority of Tunisians are of Berber descent. Arabic is the official language, while French is widely spoken and serves as the second language. It is common to see shop signs, menus, and road signs written in both Arabic and French, reflecting the country’s colonial past and multicultural character.

When we decided to venture into Tunisia, I must admit I was a little apprehensive. To prepare ourselves mentally and logistically, we began researching this North African nation - learning about its safety, people and culture, language, currency, navigation, and key attractions. Our plan was to visit most of the major towns across Tunisia, tracing the Berber heritage that threads through its landscapes and history.

Truthfully, Tunisia had never been on my travel wish list - but sometimes the most unexpected journeys become the most memorable.

Tunisia Trip Itinerary:

Day 01: Tunisian Revolution and Arab Spring...
Day 02: UNESCO World Heritage...
Day 03: Star Wars Filming Locations…
Day 04: Golden beaches and affordable luxuries...
Day 05: A Walking Tour Around Town... 

Next Trip: 2008 Athens, Greece

Tunisia 2008 - 01 Tunisian Revolution and Arab Spring...

 "If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success..." - James Cameron

(Checking out of Palermo Hotel, travelling light)

Day 01: 9 March 2008 

(Palermo, Italy – Tunis, Tunisia)

(The Eurostar Salerno Ferry)

(The Grimaldi Ferry)

Our original plan was to spend one week travelling by train from Genoa, a port city in northwest Italy to south of Italy ending our holiday in Palermo then we’ll fly to Athens, Greece. But as Palermo is located nearer to Tunis and there is a ferry route which connects Sicily to Tunisia, we revised our holiday plan and included Tunisia in the itinerary. We pre-booked tickets for The Eurostar Salerno Lines which service runs twice a week with a sailing duration of around 11 hours. Tunisia is a country small enough for us to cover within a week.

(Embarking at the Palermo Port)

(On board an hour before departure)

(Cool ocean wind on the upper deck)

(Crossing the Mediterranean Sea)

At Palermo Port we boarded the Eurostar Salerno ferry around 7.30 p.m. It was nearly 11-hour journey across the ocean from Palermo to Tunis. We slept on the reclining seats in a room filled with Tunisians and tourists amidst the blaring sound from the movie playing on the big screen. Dinner and breakfast were served at the dining hall on the lower deck.

(A light snacks after boarding)

(A mixture of locals and foreign tourists)

(The dining hall on the lower deck)

(Many resting place on board)

We disembarked at La Goulette Cruise Port in Tunis very early in the morning. We met with two young Asian tourists, a Japanese girl and a Chinese boy, both visiting Tunisia for the first time. At the Custom Counter, my back-pack was checked a few times because the x-ray image showed a sharp object. After a thorough check, it was found that the suspicious object was actually the tripod for my camera. After having our luggage successfully scanned and our passports stamped, together with the other tourists we walked quite a distance to the TGM Train Station. Local currency will be required for the train or metro so we changed some Tunisian Dinars at the Money Changer in the port. The train ride to the Tunis City Centre was only one stop away. 

(La Goulette Cruise Harbour)

(Arriving in the city of Tunis)

(Checking in at the Carlton Hotel)

We checked-in Carlton Hotel, an elegant Art Nouveau building in Tunis downtown, 10-minute walk from Tunis Railway Station. It is a short walking distance to the National Library of Tunisia, the Bardo National Museum and the Medina. A breakfast buffet was served in a minimalist dining room with modern furnishings.

(The bistro along the avenue)

(The view of the main avenue)

(The small balcony of the hotel front facade)

As it was still early and the weather was cool, we went for a leisure afternoon walk along the Avenue Habib Bourguiba, where one could find historic architectural buildings and landmarks. Among others are the Cathedral St. Vincent de Paul, the Clocktower, Equestrian Statue of Bourghiba as well as many quaint bistros and cafes. This beautifully tree lined avenue leads to the Medina at one end and the Place Du 7 November Clock Tower with a nice fountain, at the other end.

(The entrance to the old Medina)

(All shops were already closed!)

(One of the government buildings)

(The Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul)

(The tram criss-crossing the city)

(Many modern buildings too)

(Place Du 7 November Clock Tower)

We had dinner of Tuna Sandwich in the hotel room. After dinner dear hubby went to a nearby coffee shop to buy a cup of hot coffee and had a bad experience with a drunk who tried to extort some money. Luckily the shop Manager came to the rescue. At the hotel we were cautioned not to wonder at night and to beware of pickpockets. In Tunisia, the Medina, on public transport and outer suburbs are not particularly safe after dark especially for foreigners.

(A good night rest)

2008 Tunisia: Carthage/Sousse/Sfax 👉