The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

by - 10/22/2016


The Temple of Hephaestus at the Ancient Agora
There are few places which I had been dreaming of visiting since my childhood. That is way long before I actually learnt the entire world map. Some of them I heard from my mother , others I came to know from Discovery kids channel. Those were Venice, Greece, Mexico , Mauritius to name a few. Hence Greece had been over 20 years in my to do list. All I knew about Greece was their civilization, the Acropolis and Hydra Island. Too bad we could not squeeze Hydra in our island hopping tour.

As I grew up, My knowledge about the world increased. Atlas had been my favourite book since I was nine years old. I started adding new places to my bucket list. Everyday. But that did not mean that I fell out of love of my old favourites. I started researching more on them.

For me Greece meant The Acropolis. Intensive history reading made me think so. It was much later in life that I came to know about Santorini and other islands. Greece meant history and history meant Acropolis.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
It was just last year that I actually came to know that the Acropolis consisted of several structures. When we started planning for our trip, it was through my husband that I came to know that the Acropolis is not one but a huge complex of five structures: Parthenon, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Dionysus (theatre), Erectheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. The structure which I used to think of as The Acropolis is actually the Parthenon. The only thing that matched my imagination with reality is its might. No wait! It was thousand times mightier than what I had imagined it to be!
The mighty Parthenon
It was our first morning and second day in Athens. It was a hot sunny day yet the cool breeze sent shivers. We took the metro to reach there. We bought a combined ticket which permitted entrance to various archaeological sites. It cost us 44 euros for 2. It was HUGE! Well we started with our excursion with the Ancient Agoda. It was just then and there that I realised that even ruins can be so picturesque! The Parthenon was visible in the background, on top of the hill. We planted our tripod to take a joint picture with the Acropolis in the background. An official came to us and strictly forbade to do so! The Greeks are so possessive with their soil too! :D

The Peripteros at the Ancient Agora





After an hour there, we walked towards the hill. Acropolis means 'building on a hill'. The plethora of tourists started right from the foot of the hill. It was a rocky climb ahead. I had never seen so many tourists at one place in my life. And the climb? Thank God I was wearing flats. First we braved the rugged slope to reach the Aeropagus. The view of the Acropolis complex on one side and the city of Athens on another side was mind blowing.
It was a rocky climb to the Aeropagus
The view of the Acropolis from the Aeropagus. In the classical times, this place was used for deliberate homicides!!
The surface of the Aeropagus was rather rocky...many people were slipping and falling...However the view from there was unmatched!

The view was overwhelming. To reach the Parthenon we had to brave rocky stairs and overenthusiastic tourists. The entire place was under restoration so there was a lot of chaos and dust. The total area is actually very, very huge. My feet was tired and swollen from the rocky surface and it was just the beginning of a very long day.

The Propyleaea...The entire Acropolis complex was under restoration...You can easily make out how tough climbing these rocky steps were.
Tired after climb after climb as well as the scorching Greek sun..
The Erectheion ...pay attention to the huge stone carved sculptures..
The Temple of Athena Nike
The Parthenon
There is a saying in India that wherever you go, you can't miss out Bengalis. Bongs love to travel and hence they are so ubiquitous. Suddenly we heard a Bengali conversation. We approached the elderly couple and had a hearty talk. It feels lovely to reconnect in your language. But we learnt that they were citizens of South Africa. All over Greece whichever Indian couples we found were all non resident Indians. Well they had a son who was a doctor too! We toured the entire place together and then bade goodbye.
With the South African Indian Bengali...Both of his children were doctors too :D
View of the Athens city from the Acropolis...
P.S This post took me way longer time to write than I had imagined! The different parts of the Acropolis are so complicated and the names so unusual that I had to double check the pictures with facts as well as my memory so that all the information I furnish here is 100% correct ;D

Dress: Globus
Hat: Accessorize (from Malaysia)
Purse: Aldo
Jewelry: Forever 21
Sunnies : from Bangkok

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9 comments

  1. lovely post. You guys are looking great!

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  2. Wow!
    I've been meaning to visit Greece for years now as I love historical architecture..
    This post is definitely motivating me to look into a trip this summer.. It's beautiful!

    www.viaserena.net

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  3. Looks like you had an amazing trip babe!! All these pictures make me want to visit <3

    XO, Jessi
    http://www.mywhitet.com/create-cultivate-recap-more-questions-answered-here/

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  4. I am so jealous! I want to go to greece!

    xoSE
    http://www.sashaelizabeth.com/2016/10/six-ways-to-style-jumpsuit.html

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  5. Lovely outfit and I guess it turned out to be a good decision to ditch them heels this time !

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  6. A perfect anniversary gift for my Wife, I planned this trip to Santorini! The hurdles came in organizing the documents! Then, I got the reference of your services from my friend. And everything was easy after that! Well done Greece Visa team

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  7. I needed this break badly! Express services were required to get this straight! Good I sought help from your Greece Visas team. It was a good trip! You guys made it possible! Heartiest thanks

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