Here is the gang in front of the Acropolis. A Greek word - akros, top, polis, city.
The Acropolis is a flat-topped rock which rises 150 metres (512 feet) above sea level in the city .
The entrance to the Acropolis is a monumental gateway called the Propylaea. At the near right of the Propylaea is the tiny Temple of Athena Nike. At the center of the acropolis is the Parthenon. To the left of the Propylaea is the Erechtheum with columns known as caryatids sculpted as figures of women . There is also the remains of an outdoor theater called Theatre of Dionysus.
I'm on top of the world!
Maria and I are really enjoying watching the sun go down over the Acropolis.
In front of the Parthenon. Yes we do look like we belong on Beverly Hills 90210.
Here is Maria and I in front of the Parthenon.
The Parthenon is the best-known surviving building of Ancient Greece and is regarded as one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. The building has stood atop the Acropolis of Athens for nearly 2,500 years and was built to give thanks to the Greek goddess Athena, the city's patron goddess, for the salvation of Athens and Greece in the Persian Wars. The temple can also be seen as a political statement to the neighbours and visitors of Athens - a cultural milestone showing the richness and power of their city.
If you look closely at the top, guess what, you can't see anything! The reason is because the British took the marble sculptures in the early 19th century when Greece was under Turkish rule. They have been housed in the British Museum ever since. Greece has asked for the marble back numerous times but have been refused. Typical British! So arrogant and self centred. I hate countries like that!
This is an interesting article about the scandal.
The new Olympic Stadium
Ian debating the meaning of life.
Athens is a renowned city of learning and Ian was particularily impressed by learning about Socrates.
Ian's own quotes:
"The unexamined life is not worth living."
"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing."
"If one more of these crazy girls I'm with speaks their terrible French accent again, I'll scream"
This was one of my best shots - taken right as the sun went down over Athens. We took a cable car up a lovely mountain and watched the sunset. We could even see our hotel from so far up.