Playing tourists.
We decided all work and no play makes for frayed edges so we took our selves on the 2 hour bus trip to Athens to see the sights. This trip took us up around the hills and we didn't have to change buses. Things got a bit hairy on the narrow roads up the hillsides without any guards on the drop side, when oncoming traffic appeared around the bend. Because of the travelling time we had caught an early bus to be on the door step when places opened. And we were, at the National Archaeological Museum. But a school group were ahead of us and you know what happens with school excursions. Once inside we decided to start at the end and avoid to kiddies.
The museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important in the world devoted to ancient Greek art It was founded at the end of the 19th century to house and protect antiquities from all over Greece. The collection covers from prehistoric to 4th century AD. The sculpture collection contains some of the largest groups of original sculptures in the world. A lot of grave stones depicting the mourning family with the deceased, life size and larger figures of mythical gods and heroes, like Athena, Apollo, Zeus and Poseidon. Some are complete while others are amputees or are headless. Never the less they are striking. The Bronze collection is one of the largest in the world and is famous for its unique large scale original statues in bronze. Particularly spectacular is the horse and jockey which waas retrieved from a ship wreck BC. The one consistant thing about the display was all the naked men. The women seemed to be robed or showing a breast here and there but the males showed off their 6 packs plus. Very fit we think they were as, muscles and firm bums were evident as well.
More than 600 pieces of silver vessels and gold jewels showed the art of the ancient Greek goldsmith covering a period from 9th century BC to 4th century AD. Some of this was only uncovered in the 1950s and hadn't been looted like other places and to top it off the archeologist who found it donated it all to the people of Greece. Very magnanimous of him we thought. The whole exhibition is a must see when visiting Athens.
Wanting to make the most of our day and thinking on a 2 hour trip back home we set off at a pace to what we thought was Syntagma Square for the changing of the guards. None to be seen so we ploughed on to the ruins of the Parthenon and the Acropolis. Quite a climb but well worth it thru' many eateries, bars and souvenir vendors. Great views of Athens and its surrounds with plenty of photo opportunities. It is hard to describe these ruins. To be still upright after all that time is amazing and to be able to walk around where all those people in the museum would have been, was a real buzz. A lot of repair work going on so scaffolding managed to find it's way into most pictures. We were fortunate to have a sunny day but the cool winds on occasion had us carrying coats then wearing them. Thinking we might still strike the changing of the guard, we left the ruins and headed back down town. Spotting a group of police officers at the afore mentioned square, we decided to ask directions. Very hard communicating when their English and our Greek was limited. Finally understood that we were in the wrong square and anyway they don't do the guard bit on Sundays. We have since found that they do but only once on Sunday and that is at 11am. Stopped long enough for a bite to eat and a coffee before making our way back to the bus station. A 45 minute wait for the bus, then the long trip back to Lavrion.
An so it is back to chores tomorrow. Now, tomorrow,that is a translation for a word used frequently here. As bad as the Spanish with their manana.