For summer 2017, I had booked a glorious 17 day birthday vacation in Greece. I was starting in Athens, then flying into Santorini (quicker than a ferry and about the same price) before catching a ferry to Naxos, Paros, Mykonos and finally back to Athens.
I completely fell head over heels in love with Greece. I guess it was a combination of the beautiful sights, the history, the sunshine, the lovely people (Greek people are soooooo nice!), the ocean, the food... oh and everything in between. I had such an amazing time.
I arrived in Athens around mid afternoon, quickly found my hotel and dumped my stuff, then head out to explore. Athens was different to anywhere else I'd been, but I'd maybe draw comparisons to Rome because of the huge ancient buildings surrounded by people just going about their lives. I still remember first seeing the Parthenon - I thought I was going to cry, I had a huge lump in my throat. I wandered around the Plaka district for ages, before finding a place for dinner - To Kafeneio became one of my favourite places in Athens for food. It wasn't too touristy, the food was good and cheap, the maroulosalata was delicious, and the half-litre jugs of wine were about 5€. What's not to like?
After that, I went for a walk towards the Parthenon. I walked down the long, marbled pedestrian footpath behind it, called Dionysiou Areopagitou, where I listened to buskers and looked at the people selling their wares. Just out of sheer luck, I happened to take a road up to the right, and its a very good thing I did. For that was where a whole heap of people were sitting on this giant marble boulder watching the sun set over Athens. Honestly, one of the best sunsets I've ever seen (well, until Santorini a few days later!). The marble was slippery to climb but oh goodness me it was worth it. Then it was back to my hotel to sleep before another big day tomorrow.
