Athens

This day we traveled to Athens.  It felt very Mediterranean, almost what I would imagine a mix between Egypt and Jerusalem to be.  We docked at 6 am and were headed for the Parthenon by 7.  We strolled through the olive groves of the Acropolis, which were dotted with tame, stray dogs, and up the stairs to the Nike Temple.  Then we headed to the Parthenon. 

We toured the flea market and shops, and stopped for a lunch of Greek salad and chicken souvlaki.  We topped it off with cherry gelato and I bought Brooke a snow globe.  We then headed to H'Adrian Library, a museum  and the ancient platform of Socrates and Plato.  

Other than the ancient ruins in the middle of the city, Athens looked like L.A. without the skyscrapers.  It's streets are densely packed with population and graffiti.  We had to be back to the ship by 2:00 and didn't have very much time to absorb the city.  There was so much to see!  It was a very interesting, thought provoking place.  

Mykanos, Greece

When we got to the Port of Mykanos, we had to be tendered onto the island on small boats.  It took about an hour or so for everyone to get off the ship, so I had a little time to emergency cram some info about it from another shipmate using her Rick Steve's guide.  I learned about renting four wheelers and beach hopping, so that was what we did!  I loved it!  We cruised the whole island in about an hour and then stopped at some beaches, had a wonderful traditional Greek meal by the shore, toured the streets and checked out the local shops.

 When we arrived we saw an arid island dotted with white square buildings making up the main part of the city or "Old Town", which we found is usually code for tourist shopping place.  

 The winding stone streets were filled with shops and restaurants.  We quickly left and rented our four wheelers for the self-tour of the island.

 Our cruise ship from the island.

We stopped at this beach to take a leisurely stroll when some guy with dread locks stripped down to nothing right here in front of us.  Luckily we were on our way back anyway!

 We bought some sunglasses for the kids and had Greek food by the shore.  The Greek salad was really good with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese with oil and vinegar.  We also had fish, calamari, mussels and shrimp.

 We checked our four wheelers in and went for a walk to the windmills (along with every Asian from the ship and around the world doing poses in front of them 50 different ways).  The windmills looked like they belong in Holland and they were used to grind wheat for flour years ago.  They now stand as a landmark.

 Windmill door.

 We were lucky enough to spot the island mascot, Petros, a large pelican that seemed accustomed to people. 

 At dusk we tendered back to the ship.