Our hotel, Hera, in Athens, was in a delightful location. Situated just a few hundred meters from the Plaka and not far from the Acropolis, we found ourselves in the cultural eating centre of Athens. Beautiful shopping and very kind and generous Athenians. The calm is happening now in Greece after a very busy tourist season, which is now over.
This is great for us as things are taken much more leisurely and greater interest is paid to these strange foreigners who arrive in the winter.
On our arrival we went to search for dinner. We spied a hairdresser just opposite the hotel, so booked for two haircuts in the morning. Dinner was in a small cafe that served fresh fish.
In the morning after the haircuts, (good ones too!), we strolled up the street towards the Plaka. Delicious sweet and nut shops as well a Greek cake shops aling with cafes and restaurants lined the streets. Sproukers from the restaurants invited us to try their fare.
The owner of the nut store gave us tastings of his various produce. Nuts, figs, chocolates and dried fruit made its way into our shopping bag. Good for the ferry trip, we rationalised.
Ferries are the life line for most Greek islands. Most of the businesses close down for the winter and so islanders are dependent upon the ferries for supplies and medical treatment.
The Acropolis, in Athens is being restored, as is the Temple of Zeus.
A restaurant on the streets of the old Plaka area.
A really old Greek Orthadox Church in the Plaka dating back to the 11th century; St Catherine's Byzantine Church.
It was a special holy day for this little church as seen by the flags and numbers of pilgrims.
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