Athens (Part 3): The Acropolis

I woke up a little late today. I went to this place, Fred’s, which opens at 9, and I walked there. It was a nice walk, in the direction of the nearest tram station, about 15 minutes. I was seated outside and served by a nice young man. I knew what I was going to order: the shakshuka.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1_KUdAmiQwPxwCUejjdV2rqX9_GW1SCRZ

Shakshuka is an Israeli breakfast dish consisting of tomatoes, eggs, cheese. It was my first time having this dish, which was accompanied by a few pieces of Fred’s homemade bread. The whole meal was pretty much perfect.

Then I took the tram to the Acropolis. I had to walk to the tram station, wait 30 minutes (the tram must have been delayed), and I had to walk a slight distance to the front of the acropolis.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18tu9x3PqgemcF1a0TMr2Oxu4znf_aYJ0

At the “front”, there was a bus parking lot, a person dressed as an Athenian warrior (I presume), and hills and trails to climb. The first trail led me to the bottom of the ancient Roman amphitheater. The next trail led me to the top of it.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-CDSzt87STleXx3caizjCDmKwYK6dlYh

I wasn’t at the top yet. Or was I? I can’t remember. But I did get to the entrance to The Acropolis, scanned my ticket, hey, by the way, did you know that “acropolis” means highest point in a city? You would know if you watched the short film I posted. Anyways…

The acropolis, you climb up a hill and see the views, the sights, and don’t touch the marble! Except with your shoes, maybe. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1nr2MpIRs9dABEC11RgsRt3IjGSG0A38u

I walked down the acropolis, feeling accomplished, and out the exit. You should go to the Acropolis Museum. I didn’t go, €15 fee, but apparently there were a lot of artifacts from the acropolis that are stored here. Athens might have the best acropolis in the world.

Passing the Acropolis Museum, you’ll see a pretty busy street lined with restaurants. McDonald’s is here, as well as Liondi, one of the best restaurants in Athens. I had a coffee at McDonald’s and then I visited the Olympean Arch or something, one of the remaining items on my combination ticket of ancient Athenian attractions.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1f1Jkm-e_BDCVhpMucDs0C1PyHXrMkEWd

I wasn’t that hungry - I woke up late and had an extremely hearty breakfast. Can’t say I wasn’t tempted though. Then I attempted to visit the last attraction, the one I hadn’t visited yet. But it was closed. It was near the first modern Olympic stadium though, which I paid 10€ and got to experience.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CTmKcGK9f7OY37bn30Qm-YFANrfGWLKB

Or maybe I visited the Olympic stadium first, and then the last attraction, because it was on the way. Regardless, that area is actually near where you’ll go tomorrow, the Elise & Basil Goulandris Foundation, The National Gallery, and Lycabettus Hill. Here might also be where all the embassies and government buildings are located, because there are so many police officers here.

I tried to go to Lycabettus Hill but thought better of it. I went back to the hotel to recharge. Then, I attended Liondi restaurant that evening and I had their spicy cheese dip and their roasted lamb. Apparently their cheesecake doesn’t contain any dairy. Paired with caramel sauce, it’s delicious.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1U0dBrlvQIqt5IqGP4zAPdE7Z6j54eFCphttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17OMfpaNfKsnMrxhz44Rp2IJin5i5oKN9

No pictures of the cheesecake, sorry. But Liondi is in the shadow of the acropolis, and offers very fair pricing. The guy beside me ordered the pork gyro, and the girl behind me ordered the calamari. Clearly a place of quality.

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