The final Post

The second last day and we don't not want to repeat ourselves, so we wander off to the Hill of Lycabettos, read wiki here. On the way to the Hill we passed by the central meat market (an interesting pic on the right - a sight not seen on the Danforth!). We have seen many a meat market but this one was the best. Cleanliness and quality reigned supreme.

This hill can be climbed, if you are fit, healthy and young - rather like climbing the stairs of the CN Tower, or one can take the easy way - the funicular. This three minute ride was inside a tunnel rather than being attached to the side of the Hill. Not very interesting. But when one emerged at the top of the ride what a view.

The day we were there it was overcast and the visibility was not good but we could still make out all the landmarks. There was a full sized restaurant and an Orthodox Church - Chapel of Saint George, albeit a small one, that covered the summit. One could walk to the Theatre (read the wiki for a description) on another smaller peak of the same hill. 

Coming down the hill after the funicular was easier than going up. The ascent to the funicular station was by means of many galleries of stairs. At the bottom one of the many coffee shops (pic on left), this was was probably the best one for street ambience, it was situated in a 'toney' neighbourhood, supplied the necessary refreshments to us both. This street was also directly above the road where the National War Museum was located - we entered.

This Museum was a large one and contained artifacts regaling the exploits of the Greeks in War from the earliest of times of conflicts in the Aegean area to the latest conflict when the Greek government supplied the equipment and led the Cypriots against the British in the EOKA campaign in the Sixties. An interesting way to spend half an afternoon.

Noticing that a site that we had not visited was just around the corner we trotted off to see the Lyceum of Aristotle (wiki here). Again all one can do is wonder when near to, or on the places that these great Ancients strode upon, anyway I do. We set off to the Metro station, this site was a way from the hotel and we had planned to ride back. But those plans went all to naught as the Transportation Workers had pulled another 48 hour strike to protest the latest "austerity bill" passed by the legislature. The fitbit exploded on that walk back!

The last full day was spent trying to pick up genuine olive oil in a bottle or can, the mini-marts only sell the oil in plastic containers, certainly not hardy enough for modern air travel, so we strolled around the now familiar sites for the last time - we found one, but it was in Monastiriki, a twenty minute walk away. Again we had to walk as the transportation workers are still on the two day strike and the Metro was shut down. Being a Sunday morning we almost had the streets to ourselves. Another overcast day with spots of rain.