The Obstacle Course That is Athens
I have said before that I have found that the traffic in Greece regard zebra crossings as killing grounds, but then the pavements in Athens aren’t much safer, if you look at this picture.
Typical Athenian Pavement Hazard
Obviously, a vehicle has driven over this drain cover.
To be fair to the Greeks, the walking was much easier on all the islands I visited.
The 2004 Olympic Site in Athens
I’d been to three Olympic sites before Athens; Moscow, Montreal and Barcelona. The first two were not in good states, although Barcelona was fairly good, but Athens wasn’t good at all, as these pictures show, with their graffiti and general dereliction.
In some ways it was all very sad!
I hope London’s legacy is more positive! Let’s hope West Ham and the Wellcome Trust do better!
Views Of, Around and From the Acropolis
I took these pictures as I walked around the Acropolis on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday when I climbed it.
To climb the Acropolis is one of the must-do things in Athens.
Climbing the Acropolis
I climbed the Acropolis in Athens to see the Parthenon and the views of the city.
Here’s a picture of me at the top to prove it.
On the Acropolis
I didn’t find the climb too difficult and it wasn’t as hot or busy, as it would be later in the year.
The Athens Metro
The Athens Metro is fairly modern, as a lot of it was built for the 2004 Olympics. But beware, if you’re visiting the city in the next few months, that a large section of the original line 1 is being rebuilt. No-one seemed to know, when it would be fully reopened.
It is an efficient, if very busy system and you can buy a 24-hour ticket for just 4 euros.
I liked these seats I saw on one of the stations.
Seats on the Athens Metro
Quirky and easy to see. But I don’t know what Health and Safety would say as they appear not to be fixed down.
They also indicate which way the escalators are going. London Underground please note!
What is that Bright Thing in the Sky?
It wasn’t that warm yesterday and it was rather windy, so all of the locals were wearing boots, hats and gloves but the sun was out. Ad how many times have we been able to say that in the last couple of months in the UK.
Last night as it got dark, I walked round the old city and took a lot of pictures of the floodlit sites. I can’t post them now, as there is no SD slot on the computer.
I ended up eating a very large Greek salad and some souvlaki in a restaurant underneath the acropolis. C and I had been to Athens about four times, but we’d never really explored this part of the city. I’ll put it right today.
I’m sure she won’t mind!
The Centrotel, Athens
I’m posting this on a laptop in the breakfast room in the Centrotel in Athens.
Centrotel, Athens
It is a good laptop and guests are free to use it.
But that’s just like the rest of the hotel, quality and comfortable. It has one of the best modern rooms, I’ve ever stayed in. Plus points include.
- Superb lighting. C hated dark hotel rooms. She was right and there are thousands of them.
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste, along with all the other toiletries you might need.
- A whirlpool bath.
- Luxurious towels and dressing gowns.
- A bed for a good night’s sleep.
- Desk and chair.
- A TV that gets a good picture and is properly tuned in.
And all at 75 euros a night. I’ve paid a lot more and not had as good a room.
If the hotel has one problem it is a bit tucked away, but then it’s not far to walk from Larissa Station. It is actually nearer to Victoria Station and downhill from there, but that station is closed for a few months for updating.
I suspect though, taxis would find it easy. Although, I’m against cars in many ways, the hotel does have its own car park.
I would certainly recommend this hotel to anybody, who needed to spend a few nights in Athens.
The Anonymous Widower 