The Acropolis
We got up at 6:15 this morning to make sure we could make it to the Acropolis by 8 when its gate opens. By the time we got there, there was already a full bus waiting. We quickly passed all the crowds who stopped by the first sites such as the Propylaia and went straight up to the Parthenon.
The ruins of the Acropolis were as dramatic as they could be. Even though we've seen them so many times on TVs and magazines. Seeing the real thing was still a "WOW!" The Parthenon was half covered by scaffolding. On the way up, I quickly took off jumping to supply shots for our newly launched blog "happy jumps". A few of us from work started this site to collect photos of jump shots around the world. Kiat already took one in front of the Potala Palace in Tibet. Soon will jump at Machu Pichu and Smitha in front of the Taj Mahal. I cannot miss the shot at the Acropolis. Two rushed attempts later, the crowd took over. We then hurried to the highest spot of the Acropolis before everyone else. There the bird's eye view of the entire Athens was breath-taking. In the wind, I could not even hold tight on the camera.
With the jump shots out of the way, we took it easy and just roamed around. There were ample ruins. Athena and the Poseidon were worshipped in the ancient temple of the Erechtheion. The Porch of the Caryatids held the statues of six tall maidens. The gigantic marble columns and gateway were preserved well. It was hard to believe that the Theatre of Dionysos could hold 17000 people.
After the Acropolis, we headed to the temple of Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch and the national garden. On the way to the Sydagma metro, a band of soliders and traditionally dressed men went marching by. We were not sure what the occassion was.
This afternoon, we might go to the Port of Piraeus.
The ruins of the Acropolis were as dramatic as they could be. Even though we've seen them so many times on TVs and magazines. Seeing the real thing was still a "WOW!" The Parthenon was half covered by scaffolding. On the way up, I quickly took off jumping to supply shots for our newly launched blog "happy jumps". A few of us from work started this site to collect photos of jump shots around the world. Kiat already took one in front of the Potala Palace in Tibet. Soon will jump at Machu Pichu and Smitha in front of the Taj Mahal. I cannot miss the shot at the Acropolis. Two rushed attempts later, the crowd took over. We then hurried to the highest spot of the Acropolis before everyone else. There the bird's eye view of the entire Athens was breath-taking. In the wind, I could not even hold tight on the camera.
With the jump shots out of the way, we took it easy and just roamed around. There were ample ruins. Athena and the Poseidon were worshipped in the ancient temple of the Erechtheion. The Porch of the Caryatids held the statues of six tall maidens. The gigantic marble columns and gateway were preserved well. It was hard to believe that the Theatre of Dionysos could hold 17000 people.
After the Acropolis, we headed to the temple of Zeus, the Hadrian's Arch and the national garden. On the way to the Sydagma metro, a band of soliders and traditionally dressed men went marching by. We were not sure what the occassion was.
This afternoon, we might go to the Port of Piraeus.
posted by Koshka at 8/03/2008
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