After an awesome couple weeks in Turkey, we returned to Greece. Why such a short visit? Well, we had already planned to meet our college friends in Paris during their spring break and had roundtrip tickets flying out of Athens.

Athens, Greece blog

So we stopped by the little town where our favorite stray pup lives. After a few minutes of searching the beach, he found Dan and followed Dan back to the van. This time he seemed thinner and more independent. Maybe if we stayed longer than a lunch break, he would have been more of a snuggle bug. 

Athens, Greece blog

But as much as I want to adopt him, I’m just not sure. I don’t think he would love to be cooped up in a van and on a leash. Maybe he’d adjust. But maybe not. 

Athens, Greece blog

When he we said our goodbyes, he trotted down the street to play with his dog friends laying on a sunny patch of grass. Until next time, Flan. We will be back next month.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

And then we made it to Athens! The drive to this spot was not the most pleasant. Our GPS sends us down some questionable routes in the dark through a narrow road that we barely squeezed through because of illegally parked cars and our side ladder. We actually parked next to our traveling friends Jon and Meg (Hairventures). We met them back in 2016 while wild camping on Tecolote Beach in Baja California, Mexico and then again while we were in Albania.

Athens, Greece blog

View out our van’s window.

Athens, Greece blog

This parking spot, which is just street parking, was a perfect place to easily walk into the main area of Athens.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

On our first day day here, we just walked around to take in the sights.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Caterpillar choo choo train! Ha.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Back at the van to find our friends’ kid awake and ready to play.

Athens, Greece blog

Took a walk to the playground together.

Athens, Greece blog

The Acropolis at sunset. We were going to save visiting the Acropolis until after we return from Paris but we just found out its cheaper to go now because we are still in the off-season. When we return, it will be in-season. Five tickets add up quickly so we’ll be exploring these ruins at half price tomorrow. 

Athens, Greece blog

At the end of our first full day in Athens, we ended up at a restaurant where locals hangout with our traveling friends @hairventures

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

We shared a table full of appetizers and main courses at Taverna “T’ aschimopapo” (Aka The Ugly Duckling.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

We casually asked the waiter about some art that hung on their walls. That triggered a series of events which made the rest of the night a blur. The artist is an expat Briton who is dating the owner of the restaurant. He joined us at our table for the rest of the night chatting and drawing with our kids. The owner sent over bottles of tsipouro (raki/grappa), wine, beer and dessert and the waiter told us that we were like family. So I guess we are Greek now.

Athens, Greece blog

This will be one of our fondest memories of Greece, for sure.

Athens, Greece blog

Kids stayed entertained with some Ikea Mesh bags I happened to have with me 🙂

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

And by taking over my camera duties. Hehe.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Fun night for us all.

Athens, Greece blog

Our new artist friend.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Luka’s dragon art.

Athens, Greece blog

Luka is so over to tonight’s shenanigans. It’s getting late. 

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

This is me trying to give Dan my “it’s time to go, stop talking” look. He doesn’t get it sometimes.

Athens, Greece blog

Walking back to the van. Couldn’t resist snapping a photo of the street art.

Athens, Greece blog

The next day we visited the Acropolis!

Athens, Greece blog

Walking up the hill, this is the first ruin you visit.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Hello, Parthenon!

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Look! There’s no one else here but us!

Athens, Greece blog

Just kidding.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

It’s our first time seeing the original ruins. I guess we shouldn’t count visiting the Parthenon replica in Tennessee back in 2010. Ha.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

It’s considered off-season at the moment but there is still plenty of people here. In the winter months (November through March), tickets are half price so we paid 10 euros each instead of 20. 

Athens, Greece blog

There are sooo many people posing for photos here in all kinds of interesting poses. Dan couldn’t resist in joining them.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Visiting sights with kids usually looks like this.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

And to round off our visit, how about bathroom selfie in ancient Greece? Sure, why not!

Athens, Greece blog

Before we left Athens, we snapped about a few photos of street art.

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

Athens, Greece blog

And ate at a yummy Indian restaurant. Twice.

Athens, Greece blog

I will insert Dan’s video in this post once he finishes it. In the meantime, here are my little Instagram videos to accompany this post.

Thanks for following along,
Marlene


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