Athens - Later on Day 3/Early Day 4

Theatre of Dionysos
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Damon flies into today.  To kill time, Aidan and I trekked up Lykavittos Hill to get a view of the city.  We started at around 5 PM, which was probably a mistake as it was still really hot.  There were a bunch of steps at the beginning then a trail that zig zagged up the hill.  The hike up only took about 25 minutes or so, but we were sweating and couldn't drink enough water, but the view was really worth it.  We got a wonderful panoramic view of the city, the Attic basin, the surrounding mountains and the nearby islaonds of Salamina and Aegina.  There is also a cute little chapel (Agios Giogias) at the top.

View from Lykavittos Hill
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After we came down, we went to the National Gardens to chill in the shade.  We were soon distracted by the noise from Syntagma Square.  After a prolonged period of time, we went to check out what was going on.  Syntagma Square is opposite to the Parliament building and a protest was being made, we think for animal rights but aren't sure because the signs were all in Greek.  People were even standing on the marble steps leading to Parliament, which never happens as guards would keep you off.  Assualt squads with shields were standing around the protest waiting to see if the protest would turn violent, which luckily it didn't.

There'd better not be any steps

Chapel of Agios Giogios
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We later went to the airport to pick up Damon -- by metro, as the crowds were blocking the bus we had been going to take.  Damon must have been one of the last ones out of the secured area -- we'd been wondering if they'd let him leave London or if he'd slept through boarding.  Damon was super-wired and I don't think slept all night.  To think we worried about waking him early to go to the Acropolis.

We did get a fairly early start and made it to the Acropolis a little after 8 AM.  It was already about 27C and sunny.  The admission included the Acropolis, Temple of Dionysos, Keramikos (city cemetary), Agora, and Temple of Zeus which was a really good deal.  We've taken Damon to all but the Agora and Keramikos which we're planning to do in a little while when it has cooled down again.  It was breathtaking to see the Parthenon up close.

The Parthenon
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Later Aidan wants to brave Lykavittos Hill for the view again.  Hopefully, I'll make it up again...