The Port of Piraeus is Greece’s largest port and is located in Athens. It’s here that our travellers stopped off to visit Athens again. 

The retirees decided to be a bit selective in port today. They didn’t want to cram a whole lot of activities in, having spent a chunk of time in Greece (Athens and Santorini) on a previous trip. There would be no pushing and shoving at the Acropolis or Parthenon today, having used that energy and those elbows before.

They decided to head to the heart of Athens and watch the weekly changing of the guard that happens on Sundays at 11am. Now you would think that most Greeks had already seen this and there would be good spots available for tourists. Nope but thank goodness Mr X has long arms so he could get a shot and then show Ms X later.

And guess what…just up the street and around the corner our retirees managed to get a more intimate shot!

Greek Boffee time was upon them before they knew it and the baklava were calling to Ms X,‘pick us,pick us’. Despite having the wrong label on them (Ms X unfortunately knows international sweets as well as Aussie ones) she enjoyed what was truly an authentic, delicious treat.

Opposite the boffee shop was a Greek Orthodox church and not wanting to play favourites, Ms X successfully lit a candle in there. Followers of this blog will remember that she hasn’t had a great track record in European churches and candles, but this one didn’t result in an incident.

In the manner of Rome where there are Roman ruins on every corner, Athens is a little bit the same. Turn around and the Acropolis may be over your shoulder. Wandering down the main drag, Mr X commented on every 2nd shop being a shoe shop. What is it with Greeks and shoes?

Athens has some beautiful gardens eg. the National Gardens next to Parliament House. It was great to see so many families enjoying the sunny weather and the green space.

Off to the Plaka district that sits adjacent to the Acropolis, where memories of THE BEST MOUSSAKA was consumed many years ago by Ms X. Our travellers shared some moussaka (someone leaving the eggplant) and, although it was tasty, Ms X proclaimed that nothing would ever surpass her memories of her first!The travellers will not forget the street stalls selling fresh bread, the orange trees along the city streets and of course, mousakka!