Cruise photos #2 Athens, Greece

Before I share some more cruise photos, please allow me to digress for a moment to share some very important pics........our very first visitors! A few days before we left for our cruise, our friends from Jacksonville were our first official visitors in Strasbourg and we loved showing them our new apartment and city. We felt so lucky to have visitors so soon......they were here before our furniture. Speaking of, I must give them credit for being great sports about the meager accomodations (cheap air-mattress on a hard wood floor.) During their two days, we shared some of our Strasbourg favorites:

The beautiful bridges throughout the city:


A picnic of moroccan sandwiches in the beautiful Place de la Republic

And of course, the beautiful view from the top of the cathedral:


We also enjoyed some wine at Strasbourg's plage sans la plage (beach without the beach), which consists of a few bars along the river that feature beach chairs and umbrellas instead of regular tables.


And, of course, we ate really well. In this photo, they were awaiting their Alsatian pasta:


Thanks for being our first visitors Matt and Christi!!

Now, back to the cruise.......
Athens was the next stop after Sicily. After researching the city before our departure, we decided to tackle this port without a guide, which turned out to be a great decision. (I love being married to someone with a great sense of direction!) We bought metro tickets for 1 euro each and a cheap map and we were all set. We spent all of our time at and around the Acropolis and it was completely amazing. I kept saying, "I never thought I would actually see this in person." It is surreal being there and realizing that people used these buildings over 2000 years ago.

The Roman Agora was the first thing we saw because it isn't a part of the Acropolis, and is actually situated in the middle of a neighborhood with stores and apartments. This was built under the order of Caesar and was the main market place.


The crowds and the super slick marble steps made it very necessary to "watch your step." This pic was taken while we were walking up toward the Parthenon through the ancient gateway "The Propylaea":


Here is Peter in front of the Parthenon. This was the temple of Athena and was built in 5th century BC. (Notice the scaffolding. Apparently, the restoration of the ruins is a constant process.)


In addition to providing the most amazing history lesson ever, the ruins also provide an amazing view of the city:


Theatre of Dionysus:


Temple of Erectheion:


This is at another ruin at the base of the Acropolis which is called the Pnyx and was the meeting place of the general assembly. Apparently, a quorum of 5,000 citizens was needed to take a vote and this is where they did it. Not very much of the structure remains, but this area provided a great view of the Acropolis and of the Areopagus which was the ancient supreme court where St. Paul addressed the Athenians in 54 AD.


We decided to use the Pnyx for a little rest time to enjoy the view of the Acropolis:


One aspect of Athens that I loved were the dogs.....they were everywhere and obviously strays. But they seemed really well fed and happy. This one was my favorite.....taking a little nap at the Temple of Athena Nike.


Next stop: Kusadasi, Turkey (ancient ruins of Ephesus)
Also coming soon: Pics from our Lance siting last Friday afternoon!