WHEN IN ATHENS… PT I

Or

Seeing Athens Like a Greek!

The sun came up on a tranquil Aegean Sea and a very groggy Chucky.  {Must have been all that smoke in the casino} We know they have to allow smoking in order to get the gamblers in but the place smells like a wet dirty ashtray. They really need to find better smoke eaters.

Plan A for the morning was to meet the Tempelshifs for breakfast in the Windjammer before connecting with our tour mates, John and Jian Fischer of Villejo, Calif, who Chucky hooked up with on the Roll Call. Since we were within range of land, we apparently locked onto the local cellular network as a text from John came through querying where to meet. 

Deck 4 Atrium was the gathering spot where we met this lovely couple who we soon learned were going to be a blast to tour with.  John, is in RV sales, Jian his lovely wife is from a small village just North of Hong Kong. Chucky surprised and apparently delighted Jian when he sprinkled a bit of the early chit chat with his limited Mandarin, and she started poking John, chiding him,

“See He speaks Chinese, why don’t you?”

To which John replied:

“Because I don’t!”

Yeah… it was gonna be a fun ride today.

Plan A-Pt II was to get through the terminal and find their reserved Athens Limo who will take them to meet their Greek Guide, Dora Mavrommati, who came HIGHLY recommended and has a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor as well as Travel Guru Rick Steves in his Greek Tour Book.

Our Driver Geórgios was waiting with a sign with Chucky’s name and after introductions all around led us to a shiny and very comfortable 8 person Mercedes Mini Van for the 30 minute ride to the Acropolis to meet Dora.
{We later found out Dora is married to the owner of Athens Limo, Dionisis {Dennis} Kokkotos, AND Dora and Dennis were Best Man & Maid of Honor at Geórgios' Wedding - So it really IS  an “All In The Family” Business!}

Along the way Geórgios gave us a running introduction to Athens and launched into a emphatic dialogue as to how Athens in not as totally affected by the Greek Monetary Crisis as the media makes it out to be.  However he did note that unemployment is 24%+ with kids graduating from University and not being able to find jobs. The rest is too lengthy to get into here but suffice it to say, he was passionate about his subject as well as his disdain for the current “Leftist Government”.

Once at the parking lot for the Acropolis we met the Very Delightful Dora who, after intros, hustled off to get the tickets for the Acropolis and slowly led them to the “Easy Way Up” to accommodate Donna’s ankle issue.

Rule #1 for Athens

You MUST book

Dora Mavrommati

as your Guide 
PERIOD – FULL STOP!

Dora Mavrommati

e-mail: mavrom.dor@gmail.com

Tel.: +30.694.689.9300

Website: https://acropolistourguide.com/

Historian - Archaeologist, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

M.Sc. Archaeological Computing, University of Southampton, United Kingdom

PhD Candidate National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Licensed Tour Guide English - German

A Bona Fide Greek Historian, PhD Candidate with a Master’s Degree in Archeology and an all-consuming PASSION for her subject, the tour could not have been better. 
No... Actually THE BEST!

Beginning with a climb up to the top of the Areopagus, “Ares Rock” where, it is rumored, St Paul gave his "unknown god" sermon. On the Areopagus, both the Stoa and the Temple of Hephaistos are in sight as is most of the Ancient Agora.  It is also a great spot for photos of your special someone with the Parthenon above you in the background.

Having successfully climbed the Aeropagus, Donna was ready to tackle the Acropolis to view the Parthenon up close and personal.

As they progressed up the winding ramp to the Propylaea or entrance they passed the Odeon of Herod Atticus built by the Romans in 161 AD and still used today for classical concerts, ballet, performances of high cultural value and Yanni. 
WE4+DORA eventually reached and climbed VERY CAREFULLY the steps leading up to the Parthenon 


and the Erecthion sitting on the most sacred site of the Acropolis where Poseidon and Athena had their contest over who would be the Patron of the city. Poseidon thrust his trident into the rock and a spring burst forth, while Athena touched the ground with a spear and an olive tree grew. Athena was declared the victor and the great city of Athens was named for her.

Atop the Acropolis, Dora continued to wax eloquent about all things Athens with lessons of:  How the many Greek words influenced or are part of our everyday language.

Architectural notes on the construction of the Parthenon.

And loads and loads of other details, too numerous to mention, here, just follow the highlighted links for more details. 

Better yet, just plan your next vacation in Athens and BOOK DORA!

{This message brought to you by Chucky and not the Athens Tourist Board}

It was quite hot and Dora took care to find shade as she stopped to lecture along the way and still the 3+ hours went by in a flash.

Then it was time to descend to the Van as Donna gave us the Famous “ROCKY Pose” at the Propyolea to signify having made it up, and down to check off another “Bucket List” Item, while Chucky played the “Theme from Rocky” in the background.

With abundant Baci-Baci, Hug-Hug all around, with promises of AMAZING Reviews on TripAdvisor and everywhere else, we bade the Delightful Dora Movrammati, αποχαιρετισμός {apochairetismós - Farewell} and hopped into the van with Geórgios for a brief Panoramic view of Athens, including a stop at the Parliament to view the Changing of the Guards – quite a production – then a stop for shopping in PLAKA and maybe lunch.

All of which will be reported in PT II of: 

When in Athens.  

And yes, significant quantities of Greek Local Wine will be consumed.

Ciao 4 Now

Uncle Chuck & The Totally in Awe of Dora,

Dragon Lady