Day 36: ATHENS

The day dawned dull and showery.  10 am taxi to Santorini Airport, where flight was on time.  Full Airbus A321 flight and I couldn't help but notice that 80% of passengers were Asian ... they have become great travellers.  Into Athens at noon, but 25 minute wait for baggage.  Taxi into city a breeze: they have a freeway that goes from airport right to the edge of the CBD.  Flat rate fare is €35 to anywhere in Athens ... my driver did well as his meter only showed €28 at hotel.  The Titania Hotel is right in the centre of the city, 10 stories grand old style.  Room small but comfortable.

Walked down the street to a patisserie to grab a sandwich and coffee for lunch.  Later I took the Hop On Hop Off bus on its 90 minute circuit of the main sights.  Streets very narrow, so views are limited, but gave a good feel for the place.  Lots of squares with patriotic statues.  Got my first glimpse of the Acropolis etc..  Tomorrow we do a detailed tour of Athens, so I just stayed on the bus and did the round trip listening to the commentary. Given the amount of civil unrest here in recent times over the economy and unstable politics, it is not surprising that many of the businesses opt for steel shutter doors instead of window displays.  These are an easy target for grafiiti which is everywhere.  Does make the place look shabby and run down.  Very few places open, being Sunday.  They don't seem to have taken to the 7 days a week business evident in most other places.

Dinner in the hotel tonight -- too cool to go out looking for an alternative.  Will try to catch up with the leader of the tour group later too, once they have arrived in from USA.

Some pics taken from the bus are here.