Day 14: good-bye VIVA; hello Athens, Greece

I was in no hurry to get off the ship.  The cruise has come to an end.  It was a great itinerary, and I really did enjoy the NCL VIVA.  Here is a recap of my cruise journey!

I  am spending two full days in Athens.  I finally got off and it was a bit of a mess with rain and people everywhere.  There was no sense of direction . . . I don't know if it was because it was a Sunday morning or if this is normal.  I just sort of walked off and no one checked my passport or anything.  There was a sign saying ride share ahead but ahead where was not given.  I asked; no one knew.  I saw another American couple and asked them.  They had no idea either.  So I took my chances and ordered an Uber and hoped for the best.  My car was here but not where I said I was but he finally found me and had me at my hotel in no time.  Oh, Athens why you raining!  My room was not ready but got access to Club Lounge for some local treats. I don’t know what they are but they are yummy. 

I ordered an Uber to take me to my first stop.  I get in and he tells me that it’s not possible to go where I want to go, but he can drop me off at the next block.  I said no thanks I paid for this ride so how about you take me as close to Temple of Olympian Zeus.  Apparently all streets in the city center were closed for a bike ride so he really could not take me where I wanted to go, but he also wasn’t willing to cancel my ride and refund me so I was going to get something out of my cost.  So I quickly changed my plans and started at Temple of Olympian Zeus.

I really did not have anything else on my list and the weather was awful.  I did a quick google search and saw that on Sunday at 11am they do a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknow in full-dress ceremonial uniform.  So that is where I started walking towards.  Well, apparently so did every other person in Athens too.  It was packed!  You could not see anything but actually there wasn’t much to see due to the weather.  Since it was raining, a van pulled up to the area and they changed places . . . no band or pomp.  It was kind of funny but once the crowded cleared out I got a closer look at Evzones in their unique uniforms! 

The weather was not getting any better as I walked through the Athens National Garden.  I found a random Roman bathhouse ruins that were discovered when they were building a metro station.

I made the decision to head back to the hotel.  It was about a 40 minute walk so off I went back to the hotel . . . surely my room would be ready?  NOPE!  In fact the hotel was even worse than when I left several hours ago.  The hotel is packed and it’s a mess!  There are people everywhere waiting to get their room.  I went to the lounge and it was packed and only place to sit was on the floor.  My room was finally ready at 330pm.  I grabbed my bag and was calling it a day!  Dinner in bed.

My impressions of Athens are still not great! Hopefully tomorrow will be better!