October 24, 2025: Back to Solid Ground and More Athens Sightseeing.

October 24, 2025 cjbishop@yahoo.com

Our cruise was over as we had returned to our starting port of Athens. We had visited some amazing locations, the weather cooperated (except it was a bit cold for the swimmers), and we avoided the crowds and heat of summer. It was a very good week!

Billionaire’s row of superyachts in the marina.

Normally we would immediately go home the morning we arrive in port. However, because of questions of whether the vessel would make it back in time we all opted to spend an extra day in Athens and fly home tomorrow. Niki arranged for a large van to take us from the cruise port to our hotel near the old town area, Plaka, so we could do more sightseeing/shopping before departing Greece. After all the good food we had on the ship everyone was now in the mood for a good old fashioned hamburger. Luckily there was a recommended place (“ best burger in Athens they said”) not far from our hotel. It opened at noon and we were there. But that did not mean they were ready to take orders then; we had to wait about 25 minutes for the grill to heat up. Had to laugh but we waited! We agreed we would go our separate ways after lunch and reconvene for a farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Acropolis.

The Amalia Hotel where we spent the night.

Pedestrian only streets. Oh how I wish we had these in the USA!

Many of the smaller side streets looked like this- massive rows of motorcycles, a common mode of transportation here.

Small burger place with outdoor seating. Supposedly the best in town!

Yvonne and I chose to take one of our other favorite tours in a city: riding a hop on- hop off bus tour of the city. They are usually educational and you get to see all parts of a city. Best of all, you get to ride, not walk!

The Olympic stadium used for the 2004 Olympics.

Interesting building with a live wall decor.

University of Athens founded in 1837, the home of 67,000 students.

Vallianeion Megaron building, part of the National library of Athens, built in 1888.

A not so well maintained building. Athens has “tagger” issues also.

Sidewalk rummage sale on a Saturday morning.

The ever popular Monastiraki Square, a vibrant shopping area of Athens.

Kotzia square, a 19th square where city hall is located.

Later that afternoon I saw that we were very close to the area where the changing of the guard occurred every hour in front of the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I went to watch it and was impressed by the solemnity and complexity of the event. The way the soldiers move and hold their “pose” during the choreographed execution of the event was impressive. I am glad I got to experience it.

Greek guards at the Parliament. They change guards every hour.

Amazing display. They freeze each step for a few seconds before taking another!

The evening farewell dinner was dampened by the lack of John joining us. The bad cold he caught on the ship had him under the weather and he chose to remain at the hotel. The restaurant was only a 6 minute walk from the hotel. It was a beautiful evening and we experienced a grand sunset during our dinner, while watching the moon rise over the Acropolis. It was a fitting end to our trip.