Luckily, it was open, and it's apparently free on Sundays! I didn't read every single thing, but it was quite amazing to see things from thousands of years ago, created by civilizations that had a lot less than modern technology. The sculptures were so intricately done, the pottery painted with beautiful patterns, beautiful jewelry of all sorts. It's the kind of feeling where you suddenly realize that these people did exist, they're not just made up hollywood characters played by brad pitt and orlando bloom. heh.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite, Eros (middle) & Pan. The explanation said that in this carving, Pan si tuhan berkaki kambing nak mengorat goddess Aphrodite, but Aphrodite taknak, so she's holding her selipar in her right hand to slap the horny Pan, and Eros the flying baby god comes to help Aphrodite. Found in Beirut, believed to be from around 100 BC. I've seen a worse carving of Pan the goat-footed god in the ancient porn section of the Naples Archeological Museum, where he was trying to rape a really fat woman or something.
Then in contemplating my next move, i sat around in Omonia Square, had a cone of gelato while watching the Bangladeshis sell their goods on the square. It really reminds me of Central Market, where a blend of chinese, indians and some very asian looking people walking around. So, since my 24 hour travel pass was valid for another 4 hours, i decided to head to Pireas, a port town near Athens. I asked the bus kiosk which bus goes around the cape, and was told to get on bus No. 904. I hopped off at what i thought was the main waterfront, and walked a bit to take photos before hopping again on the next bus. The next journey took me to a bigger waterfront called Pasalimano, with yachts and expensive looking restaurants, and stylish people walking the esplanade. Lovely! I headed straight back to Athens after that.
men sitting at the smaller marinas, Pireas
view from the small marina in Pireas
Back in Athens, i sorted out my last night stay after my island trip at the hostel, and saw a notice on the whiteboard that said, "Acropolis is free today!" It was already almost 7pm, but i thought i should just walk that short distance to see if it's still open. Luckily it was open, i guess i was so tired that i misunderstood the closed signboard a few days ago. I think only the Museum is closed, not the whole site. Which is quite logical now that i think about it; how could they close their most important tourist attraction to the public, right? hehehe. The view from the Acropolis site is quite breathtaking as well, and i was able to see the whole Athens until it stretches out to the sea. I'll post some pictures later since we all now what the Parthenon looks like anyway. heheh...(feeling a bit lazy).
When i came back home, two more people had arrived, so we chatted and watched tv for a bit until it was time for dinner. I had a nice dinner with one of my studio mates at a cafe in Plaka, which was about 5 minutes walk away, and the area was so lively with music and chatter.
It's now 2.30 am and i'm too nervous to sleep in case i don't wake up to catch my 6.45am bus to the port tomorrow morning. Wish I was an heiress and i had a helicopter that would drop me off anytime i like. hehehe. Everyone's asleep already and we said our goodbyes, and i've taken all my stuff into the living room so i don't disturb anyone tomorrow morning when i leave. I'm going to sleep on the couch tonight, if i can sleep at all.
So, though i'm bummed out that i didn't get to go to Sounio, i guess i was also quite happy that everything else i did didn't cost me much. Otherwise it would have been 6 euros for the museum, and 12 euros for the Acropolis. Kira lah sendiri how much that would be in RM. boleh lunch for one week in KL. I'm being a bit cost-conscious now since i don't know if i will need to fork out any money for my apartment repairs back home (boohoo!!)
I'm quite excited to get to Skopelos. I'm imagining an idle week with not much touristy things to see. Might get a bit boring since i will be by myself, but i got my book, my gadgets, and my movies i can watch for the next 6 days. I will take the bus Agios Konstantinos tomorrow morning, and the connecting ferry will take me to Skopelos from there. Coming back, I will take a ferry a day earlier to the neighboring island Skiathos, and take an Olympic Airline flight back to Athens. It costs about the same, ferry + bus combo or flying, i decided to fly because i can't get a confirmation on the ferry schedules on the day i was supposed to leave for London. I've learned not to give all my trust to the Greek transportation system, and i don't really want to get stuck on an island, however lovelythe idea might sound to other people.
Don't know if i will have internet there. But i'll try my medium best to keep in touch. Adio!
