That were champion

 

1896 and the first modern Olympic Games in this refurbished stadium that was used many hundred of years before for many other sporting endeavours, perhaps some that would not be pass health and safety and preservation of life today. All we had to to do was cope with the heat and the 30 minute walk to the stadium with bated breath, would we be able to run? The suspense lasted a further 20 minutes from our arrival as it didn't open until 8 ... but the answer was yes!!  What an experience, the Olympic Rings towering above us, the marble auditorium, and the strangely modern running track. I had to do 12 quarter mile laps or so to get a 5K that felt appropriate, not so many others doing laps though, the occasional 100m sprint for the cameras. But is a nice time of day before 9 as no-one else in there as the site not officially open.  

The 'players tunnel' was though and in venturing up that we found a truly magnificent exhibition celebrating the history of the Olympics, and the logos and stories of those of the past century.  Also reminders of the spirit of the games, how they have emerged and maintained, and feels quite a good time to do this with the 2024 Paris version about to kick off.

sinister

Back on the track we took in some of the sights and stands, before the mandatory podium shot and a feeling of achievement, not so much for doing the run, but ticking off something I'd pretty much put top of my list since we arrived. And it did not disappoint, in fact exceeded expectations.

The wander back to our hotel allowed for a few more shots of past and present, various remnants of Hadrians vast property empire! And a coffee shop that I don't think he had shares in for a bit of water, cappuccino and orange/banana cake!

11am check out from hotel, and 5pm departure to the airport gave us a day of floating around but mainly finding positions to hydrate and people watch. The Monastiraki Flea Market was a fleeting visit as were some of the really grungy streets in / around the area which of course appeal to us Generation Xers

A day of reflecting in a number of coffee shops and cafes in this lovely little part of the city. Exarcheia radicals rioted nearby and appreciate its a hotbed of political activism but we stayed on the peaceful side of the line. Reflecting on some of the basic pros they do out here, wifi codes on every menu, come on UK, catch up. Cons, toilet paper always in the bin not down the toilet, not so much fun.  But efficiency of ferries, metro, air con in most places, high quality smoothies and milkshakes just the start on some of the day to day positives in these parts.  Would we come again? Well yes, but short haul we have plans to Interrail Europe, or do more hopping in the Bosnia / Serbia / Albania region  ... too much to see ... too little time. And that's before we even get back to the long haul plans if we are in a position to execute ...

I digress, too much thinking time today, 3 different bars / restaurants we settled in to undertake that, all with a bit of character. The first, Flint, only opened as we arrived, so it was old fashioned decor, very arty, not so grungy. The second, Liosporos, a jazz bar, windy stair case, some good greek salad and my last milkshake of the trip (chocolate), a bit near the street and some shifty looking youngsters (like kids) made us think we were perhaps being spotted, so we moved back into the bar. Always keep your head up in the big city. And finally, the Clumsies, bizarre name, weird T shirts, good double cappucinno to set up for a long journey homeward.

Bags picked up from hotel, metro took a while to the airport (every half hour, we just missed one), and flight delayed a bit ... no shame though ... what will be , will be, embrace every moment when travelling, the jolts keep you awake.

Which we now can do, as backpack cast aside, Club Lounge in Athens airport (Swissport, a real step up on some of those generic ones you get one abroad,nice colours), wine and good food as back packering with a twist comes to an end ... for now .... couple of other shorter trips may feature on this blog before the year ends ...

Our pick up plan worked to perfection, even with a 2 hr flight delay. Bryn and Carys tracked us, Bryn left for Reading Services when we were 90 mins from landing. I rang him at touchdown, he and we were in short stay 30 mins later, home by 3.30 am 24 hrs to recover, have a shave, and back to normality ...