Our second day
The second day started wonderful, again. An excellent breakfast in Hotel Ava was waiting for us. Our ‘local’ stayed here during his stay. We can confirm the perfect location, the great service, a convenient room and an outstanding breakfast.
We started with Acropolis, Athen’s most famous sight and eternal building site. It’s often the only stop for tourist groups (from Asia), brought there with buses. Of course we wanted to see it, too.
We were a bit ashamed, being there without our selfie stick. We had our action cam, but the stick was missing, so we used it solo. Many young Asians looked astonished. If they knew, many Germans dislike selfie sticks – they probably wouldn’t understand it!
On the way up we met a man, telling us directions and sharing his experiences. He was enthusiastic about our English knowledge, which he said are amazing for Germans. He abused the ‘Frenchmen’ to be ‘narrow minded people’, because they think, the whole world speaks French. It was funny, but in our experience, of course, many French speak a perfect English! Who knows what he tells the ‘Frenchmen’ about Germans. Though, it was a interesting conversation.
Up on the Acropolis, we stood the Asian’s punitive views and made pictures and videos without our selfie stick. We don’t tell you anything about Acropolis here, because you can read it in basically every guide book.
The strip mall between Syntagma Square and Monastiraki Square was crowded. At least here, crisis was not visible. But as it was told, it used to be even more crowded and more shopping was made.
Our city guide showed us a very original place of Athens. At the old fish and meat market you can watch Athenians doing their daily work. We resign to show too some of the pictures, because we don’t want to disgust people and instigate vegans. Hygiene rules are not being taken too seriously. Kind of likeable!
The Athenian Trilogy is also nice to visit. Not many tourists are round here (at least in low season).
The third building was in scaffolding, so for us it was more of a Athenian Dilogy.
Orange trees were literally at every corner. Mice were very happy with that.
From there, Kolonaki was not far away. Lycabettus was our next goal.
Getting refreshed with Greek sandwiches and Greek beer, but our feet still hurt. The way up to the summit from the Funicular was wonderful.
To be honest: It’s already an enormous walk up to the Funicular. The last part (estimated 10-15 mins) then costs € 7. In summer and heat, this might be worth it, but not in February for us!
Up on the summit, we were dead beat, but the rise was totally worth it.
There’s a nice cafe/restaurant with good prices and a stunning view.
Piraeus
As we missed the first subway to Piraeus, we only saw the last part of sunset. But we wanted to have dinner here, too.
Piraeus is by no means an eyesore. I (Burcu) fell a bit in love with this place.
Getting darker, taking pictures becomes more difficult. But we could rely on Jan. It’s a port for rich Athenians, that’s why many of the yachts are really enormous.
That was our dinner place. Restaurants are just along the sea and food was delicious. Prices were low. It’s a pity, we forgot the place’s name. Only Greeks were there and we enjoyed the fish platter. And the wine. And the Ouzo.
Be carfeul: Tzatziki in Greece is not the Tzatziki we were used to from Germany. It felt like biting in a garlic clove. Jan and me were eating it nevertheless and felt a bit of nausea in the night and the next morning. Please a round of sympathy, although it was our own fault.
Our stay was interesting and found an end in a funny evening. The next morning we had breakfast in Akropolis Museum Café. Breakfast was delicious, inexpensive and with a great view over Akropolis. This Sunday, many Athenians were there. In many countries, locals avoid touristy places. At least in low seasons, this is not true for Athens.
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