Day 12 – Greek Tapas and Visit to Acropolis Museum

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Sometimes when traveling a food bug will bite you – especially with so many different types of food – so I took the day off yesterday from site seeing and slept most of the day.

I hope you all enjoyed our guest blogger (Noel) yesterday describing Noel and Andrew’s adventures in Athens. At the end of the trip watch for another entry from Noel describing her top things to do in Athens on a future trip.

After a day of rest and sleep – I felt much better (I actually wanted to eat something) – so after catching up on email and eating lunch at the hotel – it was time to resume site seeing in Athens.

After nearly two weeks of traveling together – today was when Andrew left us in Athens and headed back home to Stuttgart. The subway was located right next to the hotel – so it was a brief 5 minute walk to catch the train that went to the Athens airport – and Andrew was on his way back home.

Andrew on his way to the Athens Airport
Andrew on his way to the Athens Airport

As Noel likes to say – some of us have to work. It was great having Andrew with us for a couple of weeks over the Christmas break and for nearly 10 days in Vienna, Prague and Athens.

So – it was back to my normal traveling companion for an afternoon in Athens.

A quick selfie of us on the 2nd floor of the Acropolis Museum
A quick selfie of us on the 2nd floor of the Acropolis Museum

While Noel and Andrew had visited the Acropolis Museum in Athens – we returned so that I could see it and gather my own impressions.

It is a stunning museum that provides a significant amount of historical context to the Acropolis itself – including exhibits highlighting the construction of the various temples on the Acropolis, the destruction of parts of the Acropolis due to wars, and finally the removal of many artifacts from Greece to the British Museum in the mid to late 1800’s.

There were several models which showed what some of the features of the Acropolis looked like when it was new. This was one of them which showed the sculptures appearing above the entrance to one of the temples.
There were several models which showed what some of the features of the Acropolis looked like when it was new. This was one of them which showed the sculptures appearing above the entrance to one of the temples.
These are the remains of the statues above the entrance to the temple - as shown in the models.
These are the remains of the statues above the entrance to the temple – as shown in the models.
The detail on the carvings was amazing
The detail on the carvings was amazing
Second floor viewpoint highlighting many of the statues and figurines unearthed at the Acropolis
Second floor viewpoint highlighting many of the statues and figurines unearthed at the Acropolis

After covering the first couple of floors, we took a needed break for a Coca-Cola Light with a piece of Greek Walnut Cake.

Greek Walnut Cake with Honey
Greek Walnut Cake with Honey
We enjoyed a relaxing Diet Coke (or Coca-Cola Light outside of the U.S.)
We enjoyed a relaxing Diet Coke (or Coca-Cola Light outside of the U.S.)

After a couple of hours in the museum – it was time to head back toward the hotel through the Plaka District – which has a lot of neat shops and restaurants.

Along the way we managed to find a Pandora Store – and Noel added a more charms specific to Athens to her ever growing collection of charm bracelets.

We have shopped Pandora shops across the world!
We have shopped Pandora shops across the world!

After a quick nap at the hotel – it was time to head out to dinner at a great local spot recommended by the concierge at our hotel – Dopios.

A great restaurant with a lot of variety - perfect to sample many different Greek dishes
A great restaurant with a lot of variety – perfect to sample many different Greek dishes

Our dinner is best described as Greek Tapas.

These were Greek Lamb and Beef patties
These were Greek Lamb and Beef patties
This was a fish dip with shrimp chips
This was a fish dip with shrimp chips

One of my goals in Greece was to try an Ouzo-based cocktail. If you are not familiar with Ouzo – it is an anise flavored aperitif consumed in Greece and Cyprus. If you like the flavor of black licorice – you will probably like Ouzo. If you are strictly a red licorice person – Ouzo if probably not your drink of choice.

I enjoyed a pre-dinner libation at Dopios which was an absolutely delicious Ouzo-based Negroni. I plan on making myself something similar back home in Richland!

Ouzo-based cocktail? Mission accomplished.

After dinner, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the streets of Athens on our way back to the hotel to get ready for our last day in Athens.

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