Day 7 Rome to Athens

We lost an hour today because of time changes.  Our flight from Rome to Athens was uneventful, but we were a little disconcerted to see notices at the baggage collection point telling us what to do if our baggage was lost or damaged.  We were more disconcerted when we looked across to this point and saw the queue snaking on and on.  Bill collected his bag but I was left with no bag and that horrible feeling one has when no bags are left on the carousel and everyone has gone.  We were about to join the queue, when I spotted my bag.  Someone must have thought it was their bag, removed it from the carousel, realized their mistake but not returned it to the carousel.  What a relief!  We were met at the airport and taken to our hotel, The Athenian Callirhoe.  It is in a great position, about a 10 minute walk from the Acropolis.  We have a balcony that overlooks a quaint Greek church.  It was exciting to catch up with Valerie and Tom who had arrived at the same hotel the day before.  Bill and I did a walk up to the Acropolis.  On the way we passed the Temple of Zeus, the Odeon Theatre, Hadrian’s Arch and many ancient ruins.  It is a great feeling to be amongst such antiquity.  The traffic is chaotic, but cars and motorbikes were limited up near the Acropolis, so we were able to enjoy the sights without worrying about the traffic which does not believe in giving way to pedestrians, even when they are crossing the road with a pedestrian crossing and a green walk now sign flashing.  Tonight, the four of us had dinner in an outdoor restaurant  in the street of the Tripods  This street connected the ancient Agora and the theatre of Dionysos.  The tripods were like our Oscars today, but were large stone pillars.  One of them was beside us as we had dinner.  It is the only remaining tripod. From about 300 BC.  The weather was just perfect for eating outdoors and the food was great.  After dinner, we walked through the Plaka, which is the old part of Athens.  The whole of Athens seemed to be eating out tonight at one of the numerous outdoor restaurants.  The most handsome Greek men, like young, strong Apollos kept approaching us to eat at their restaurant, but it was all good fun and no pressure.  What a great night.  Back to the hotel and bed by 11:00pm as we are being picked up for our trip to Mykonos at 6:00am tomorrow.