Athens 2014

Thursday, 13 Nov, Plaka Hotel, Athens   Just had our last buffet breakfast here.  Like the Sorrento hotel, the options were so many that we won’t need to think about lunch.  We fly to Istanbul today, after 3 days in Athens.  Flight from Rome was mostly empty, some fine vistas of Greek islands as we came in.  Cabbie from the airport tried to get us to use him during our stay,

but he asked 6 Euros over the 39 on the meter when we arrived at the hotel.  We got around a lot on the hop on/hop off city bus.  First afternoon we walked around the Acropolis, along a street of vendors in historic Plaka neighborhood, including Zorba Jewelers.  Nice shopkeeper, quick to argue the investment perspective on buying a lovely gold necklace with various gems embedded, made in their workshop here.  Up to the rooftop terrace at the hotel, for a panorama of the Acropolis by night.  Dinner the first night in an outdoor cafe just steps from the hotel—very tasty lamb.
  Pics of Athens -
https://picasaweb.google.com/102259876019428056805/Athens2014#

Tuesday we did the Acropolis, after taking the double decker on a tour of the port—I recommend skipping that hour, as aside from some harbors with lots of small boats moored, it wasn’t remarkable.
Acropolis pics -
https://picasaweb.google.com/102259876019428056805/Acropolis#

After the Acropolis, we did the nearby Acropolis Museum.  Followed, next morning, by the Archaeological Museum.  Big place, LOTS of statues, stellas & vases.  And jewelry.  Lots of history in this eastern Mediterranean.  https://picasaweb.google.com/102259876019428056805/AthensMuseums#

Then a walk through the National Gardens, a nod to statue of Zeus, on our way back to Zorba Jewelers.  My foot cleaning with little fishes in a tank softened me up, to drive a bargain on that necklace.  They had offered to take about half off the asking price of 6000 Euros (that’s right--3 zeros, not two!).  I offered 2000, which was summarily dismissed (“Not one Euro under 2950!”).  But when I came up to 2500, the game was on again.  They tried 2750.  Then 2600.  ‘Talked of kids to support, keeping the craftsmen in their workshop busy making new pieces.  When I held firm at 2500, they relented, clearly not happy about it—expecting a traveler with money to come here should be more willing to pay the expected price.  Lucy is beholden.

  Another nice day.  We’ve had excellent weather the whole trip so far.   We’ll call a taxi for the airport in a few minutes.