Walking tour of Athens

Leaving Corfu

Today I fly back to Athens, often considered the cradle of western civilisation.  Unfortunately there’s a gap in the morning bus schedule from my hotel to Corfu town.  I had to leave at 0715 or 2 hours later.  That would get me to the airport (including walking) 2h45 or 45 mins prior to the flight.  The later bus would mean I’d nearly for certain miss my flight.

I woke before my alarm and ate my muesli with yoghurt and candied kumquats.  Nice combination!  Waiting for the bus at the nearby stop, I saw the bus coming from town.  The driver beckoned me to cross the road so I didn’t have to stand and wait for the next 20 minutes as it was running late.

They took me to the turnaround point but didn’t offer other people the same courtesy.  I must have looked helpless or something.

The journey (like the outbound one) took us through a village I seated at the front today, I realise the difficulties of taking a big bus through this kind of route.

It was already hot at 0820 when I walked to the airport, getting there 2h45 before my 1125 flight to Athens.  The walk took me past the end of the runway where I could have watched planes land right overhead me, or start their takeoff run.  But checking on my phone, there were no scheduled landings or takeoffs for a while.

I killed time landside because in case there were no water fountains airside to refill my water bottle which I’d have to empty before security.

Once airside, I hungry and paid too much for a coffee and a pastry.  It was only after I had placed my order that I noticed a sign saying that water, Greek coffee, tea, toast were available at regulated prices as takeaways (which it would be as it was only a kiosk).  Unregulated prices for other coffees were around triple!  Good to see some consumer protection in action.  Incidentally, there are signs in many shops saying that no payment is necessary if a receipt is not provided.  Oh, and as expected, no water fountains were available airside at this small gate.

Our aircraft arrived and I watched the ground staff prepare for our flight.  I saw two catering guys carrying a trolley up the stairs to the rear galley of our A320.  This is something I see in Malaysia but didn’t expect it in the EU where occupational health and safety would be more rigorous.  But then, I see bus drivers smoking in the buses and hotel receptionists in the lobbies.  I’ve always said that Athens has a strong Oriental feel but I think one can extend that to people’s behaviours and attitudes … and I mean that as a description rather than a criticism.

Buying another SIM Card

We left 10 mins late and arrived into a breezy Athens similarly late.  I also just missed the 1300 metro to the city which meant a wait for the 1330 one.

It was nearly 1500 by the time I checked in and freshened up.  My priority was to get a second SIM card from Omonia Square.  Some of the sales agents didn’t speak good English or couldn’t confirm that their products were pan-Europe.  I finally found one who confirmed everything and it was a 20 min process to take my ID and get the card activated.

This time, the outcome wasn’t without surprises either.  The card validity with 15GB wasn’t the same as 15GB for the month.  It was 10GB for the month, 2GB with expiry in a couple of weeks and bloody 3GB expiring in a couple of days.  Anyway, it was still a great deal.  Like my previous purchase, subsequent data packs are pricey.  It seems that each telco want to lure people in with attractive starting deals and after that, their normal pricier options prevail.  But for tourists who don’t need to retain a permanent number, it is possible to just keep buying new SIMs I guess.

Free Walking Tour

I had debated with myself as to whether to climb up the Acropolis to see the Parthenon. In the end I told myself, nah, I had been in recent years already.  [Edit:  I later realised that the recent year was 13 years ago in 2006!  How time flies.  But I did go once before back in 1992 and it didn’t seem that long ago either.]

So I decided that it was better to join a free walking tour of Athens.  After my errands of the day, I didn’t have much time left before leaving for Hadrian’s Arch where my free walking tour commenced at 1700.

We were led to the Zappeion nearby.  This was a venue for some events of the revived Olympic games and named after the philanthropist Zappas who is generally regarded as one of the founders of the modern Olympic games.

Nearby was a statue of George Karaiskakis, who led the Greek war of independence.  His uniform in real life weighed 7kg with heavy pleated skirt etc.  He is depicted with a big moustache as were many military people.  In the Ottoman days, Greeks were prohibited from keeping facial hear to deprive them of their manliness.  So once they had achieved their independence, they reclaimed their right to do so.

We continued to the Kallimarmaro stadium.  It’s the only stadium in the world built completely from marble and the present day structure probably dates back to 144AD.  In present day, it is used for some Olympic ceremonies and also concerts.

Incidentally, we were told that Australia, after the 2000 Sydney Olympics never returned the Olympic torch!

Near the offices of the President and Prime Minister, we saw the changing of the guards.  The President also drove past into his office.  The guards uniforms include two layers of woollen stockings and shoes with pom-poms which traditionally hide a spike as defence.  Their supervisor help wipe sweat of their faces with their tassles from their cap.

Continuing our walk, we saw nearby Lykavittos.  It’s best reached by taxi and I’ll probably do it on my next trip to Athens, fingers crossed.

Next we passed through Syntagma Square where the Parliament was located, then the Metropolitan Cathedral and finally the hillside area of Anafiotika on the slopes of the Acropolis hill.  The hillside gave us an idea of the city’s sprawl.

Anafiotika was named after the island of Anafi where workers originated from, to build then ancient King’s palace.  They built their homes here in the style of Anafi, described as white boxy sugar-cube homes.

We finished up around 2030 after having been given a good dose of information on Greek cuisine and some restaurant suggestions.  A few of us took up the recommendation to dine at Trattoria (which is a Greek rather than Italian restaurant).  I opted for the stuffed grilled calamari which was delicious!  It was stuffed with plenty of feta cheese and a capsicum.

With a short walk after dinner with one of my new acquaintances, I got back to my room before 2300.  This was my latest night ever this trip!