Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Athens Greece...on a Monday

Monday, April 26, 2010 – Athens, Greece
Well, Monday is not the best day to visit Athens if you plan to visit museums. They are all closed.

BUT there is still a lot to see. Beside the Acropolis and the many archeological ruins, just walking around is relaxing. The birds were singing and the sun was shining; we enjoyed the wonderful aromas coming from the local cafes as we wandered the streets around the Plaka.

Gene took an early morning panoramic tour for three hours while I stayed in the room and worked. I managed to get pretty caught up with most of my work. We had lunch with friends and then took the city bus (#40) direct from the pier to Constitution Square, where we could see the changing of the guards hourly, on the hour. We walked the streets leading toward the Acropolis and met our stateroom neighbors who had disembarked earlier today! They are heading to Egypt and Jordan tomorrow for an 18-day overland trip. We spent about an hour wandering around and then caught the bus back to the ship, passing the Marriott Hotel where we had stayed about two years ago.

Back on the ship, we ate in the Lido buffet with three other friends and got off to work on the internet. NO SUCH LUCK. It is such a bummer to try to connect with supposed free WIFI and never get connected. I feel badly for the crew as it is their time to call home during their limited free time (2 hours) and they do not have enough time to play around to try to find a café so at least the port terminals could provide that service. I am going to send a suggestion to the port.

AND there were at least 15 large 48-passenger buses waiting to enter the port for a Pullmantur ship, but there was a strike and no was allowed to enter the ship! “It is Greece, after all”, as we were told twice today. We could hear the strikers hollering outside the terminal but we were inside trying to connect to the internet. I have no idea if the Spaniards ever did get on their ship.

We had a Greek cultural music and dance by local musicians and dancers and they were wonderful. We had dances from the islands and dances from mainland Greece. Colorful costumes and energetic dancers gave us a good feel of the rhythms and movements.

We sailed under a full moon. Wherever you are, we are seeing the same moon!! It is so lovely on the sea as you walk the open deck.

Gene is not feeling well and will go to the doctor tomorrow.

“The ship’s captain and crew wish you a restful sleep tonight as we look to tomorrow’s horizons.” – nightly message from the Prinsendam Captain and crew (given with two chocolates!)