Athens

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
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Back in Athens, the cradle of democracy. Maybe some of our current world leaders should take a visit. 

The train ride here was interesting. I had no idea Greece was so mountainous. The reason it took four hours to travel from, Larissa was that there was a great bank of rock in the way, nesesetating  a long twisting trail up the side of the mountain, followed by a long glide back down. 

First stop was to the Parthenon the magnificent temple dedicated to the goddess Athena that stands on the top of the Acropolis. A beautiful building even if the freeze was removed in 1801 by Lord Elgin and now resides largely in Bloomsbury in West London.

Since it was built around 438 BC the building has been through many changes including fires, wars and at one point being blown up by the Ottoman empire. Today it stands sentinel over the modern city of Athens linking this modern democracy to it’s ancient roots.


Athens is it in the city which means there are many many viewpoints around the city from which to wonder at this ancient masterpiece.

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Larissa

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
A few days in Larissa, a couple of hours south of Thessaloniki on the train. 

A very pleasant little town on the banks of a slow flowing river. The museum has exhibits from the earliest inhabitants in the city Some 10,000 years ago. 


Took a walk up into the countryside to a very pretty ministry didn’t stay long as the nuns were quite intimidating but it was a lovely walk

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Thessaloniki

Sunday, April 22, 2018
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Back in Greece after a break of 15 years. This time I’m starting in the north of the country, arriving at The seaside city of Thessaloniki. 

The airport was one of the quietest airports I’ve arrived in, unlike the airport bus, which was as crammed as a rush hour tube train. Still at 2 euros for the journey you can’t really complain. Very easy trip through immigration. I wonder how quick it will be post 29 March 2019?

Quite a lot has happened in the country since my last visit. Several financial crisis, quite a few governments and an Olympic Games. 

It’s a very pleasant place adorned with a multitude of Roman and Ottoman ruins. A lot of the original city walls still exist giving the City an aristocratic air. Climbed up to the top of the hill for a panoramic view over the whole area.


Had a long walk along the sea front. No beach but plenty of sea views, even if it was a little hazy. Plenty of bracing sea air.
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