If you looked up the details of this trip you would have learned that most of this trip is on a ship. This afternoon we will be boarding the three masted sailing vessel, the MS Panorama for a week long cruise through the Greek islands. However, this morning we are visiting the National Archeological Museum, considered to be one of the great museums in the world, to learn more about the various Greek civilizations that occupied this area over time. The current building was started in 1866 and completed in 1889. Niki told us that during WWII the museum’s contents were boxed and buried to prevent looting. It worked and we were able to view the marvelous collection that dates back to Neolithic times. It is yet another museum that requires multiple visits to really appreciate all that is there. By the way, one modern welcome addition to travel has been the advent of “whisperers” (audio transmitter) which allow us to individually hear what our tour guides are saying without having to stand right next to them, so we were able to hear what Niki was saying without being next to her.
This area of Athens has more modern buildings.
The academy of Athens, part of the national university.
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
One of many posting in the museum providing historical information about the artifacts.
The Greek world in the 8th century BCE.
A burial urn that dates back to BCE.
A kouros( naked youth) statue that dates from 7 th centuryBCE.
Description of Kouroi statues.
A rare statue of a Kore (female) becuase it still had evidence of paint. Females were always clothed.
Part of a burial site, likely of an athlete, that dates back to 510BCE.
Remnants of paint on the statue.
Part of a marble disk from the classical period, dating to ca 460BCE.
Definition of the classical period of Greece starting in 5th century BCE.
Bronze statue of Zeus or Poseidon. Lack of a weapon in his throwing arm prevents knowing who it was.. It dates to ca 450 BCE.
Description of the Antikythera shipwreck.
Artifacts from a Roman shipwreck of 1st century BCE. It was discovered in 1900 by sponge divers.
Part of a Roman chariot from the shipwreck.
An important discovery on the shipwreck was the antikythera mechanism, thought to be the world’s first analog computer!
Pieces of the antikythera mechanism found in the shipwreck.
The battle at Thermopyles.
Arrow points found in area where the famous battle of Thermopyles where the Greeks were beaten by the Persians. They date to 5th century BCE,
Replica of the statue of Athena Parthenonos, which was inside the Parthenon. It was about 13 meters tall.
Bronze statue of a boy riding a horse, dating to 150-140BCE. It survived because it was found in a ship wreck.
Marble statue of Aphrodite of Syracuse, dating from 150 CE.
A rare Cycladic period “frying pan” that dates from 2800-2300 BCE!
Information about the Greek Cycladic civilization that dated from 3200-2000BCE.
Figurines dating from the Cycladic period in Greece history (3200-2000BCE).
Information on the Greek Mycenaean civilation that existed from 1600-1100BCE.
Gold items found in graves dating from the Mycenaean era.
The gold funeral mask of Agamemnon, dating from 1540-1500 BCE. It has been called the Mona Lisa of prehistory.
Intricate gold drinking vessels.
Fresco, dating to the Bronze Age (1700BCE) found on the island of Thera (modern day Santorini).
Marvelous fresco also found in the destroyed city of Akrotiri on Santorini.
Bronze Age grave stone.
Some people bailed early and had refreshments while some of us continued our tour of the museum!
Leaving the museum in late morning we were bussed to the port city of Piraeus where we had lunch at a seaside restaurant and then boarded our “hotel” for the next week, the sailing vessel, ms Panorama.
A bit of overkill as we had a huge bus for our 20 people!
The municipal theater in Piraeus, built in 1895.
Our seaside seafood restaurant where we had lunch.
Calamari, mackerel(?) and dolmades for lunch.
Hot French fries and zucchini.
The bay across from the restaurant. Beaches were rocky.
Several restaurants advertising they had fresh octopus on the menu.
Our hotel for the next week.
There were some VERY expensive ships in our harbor!
Accommodations were adequate, although there was not much place to store clothes. I graciously gave most of the drawers to Yvonne and I simply lived out of my suitcase. We have experienced worse; this was adequate. We met the major ship’s staff, the captain, the hotel manager, the chef and some of the service personnel. A mandatory safety talk was given after which the welcome cocktails and appetizers appeared before a sit down dinner was served. My initial impression was the food was better than I had expected.
Our stateroom. Beds, lighting and temperatures were fine.
Our modest bathroom. The shower was the mostly confined, but proved adequate. The water was always hot!
The hotel manager introducing his staff. He was humorous and engaging.
Our captain explaining procedures to follow in case of an emergency.
The cocktail lounge on the upper deck. Surprisingly it was hardly used.
Two nice sitting areas on the aft of the upper deck.
Area for sunning on upper deck.
The wheelhouse.
The main lounge seating area. There seemed to be plenty of room to relax.
Dinner arrangements. There were 4 tables set for 6 and 7-8 tables for 4 available.
The area where buffet meals would be set up. It was plenty adequate. Tonight we have a plated meal.
Appetizers served by one of two ladies from Bali.
Tonight’s plated dinner options.
The first of many outstanding soups we were served while onboard.
Lovely salad.
The beef filet main course.
Cookies available 24/7.
Our schedule for tomorrow,
The map of where we are heading.
The ship left port later that evening. There was some apprehension about wind causing ship stability issues but it was minimal and the gentle rocking of the ship lulled me to sleep. Tomorrow we visit Delos to view the ancient ruins dedicated to Apollo and then on to Mykonos.
