Monday, February 02, 2009

Lonely Planet - ATHENS



Another great destination during my winter break was Athens, Greece. One of great ancient cities and civilizations that shaped the world today. Athens, was once centre of Greek Empire and all the remains of this great empire can be traced throughout Greece especially Athens, and another great civilization can be seen in every corner, in between the ruins of old Greek, a great Ottoman Empire that influenced the western world, half of Europe has been under this east super power. Athens, a city where two civilizations harmonically intertwined in the life of native Greeks that can be traced until today.


...old Athens is the best place to stay, and discover the real Athens...with old buildings and people that have similarities with the third world attitudes and scenes as below par of the western standards of life...yeah, a real colours of people that you could not believe to witness in Continental Europe!

 
...Ottoman influenced can be seen every where as a proof of East meet West civilizations...this one is around Monastiraki Square, part of Plaka with labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture...just walk through the pretty streets packed with churches, modern art museums and ancient ruins...

...an Ottoman mosque that you can see in Plaka district...the oldest section of Athens, with rustic scenes of old architectural of Greek and Ottoman...next to Acropolis...




...welcome to Acropolis!...walked through the Plaka neighbourhood, slowly ascending through narrow cobblestone streets...up to Acropolis...

..the ruins of Acropolis...the 'Sacred Rock' of Athens. Built in 5th century BC where the modern democracy have begun...

...a breathtaking view from Acropolis...crowded with concrete jungles stretched all the way to the mountains... 

...a clear sky of winter day in Athens...another view from the south of Acropolis...

...the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which functions as a theatre...and in summer it hosts concerts, lyric theatre and dance as part of Athens Festival and this dates back to AD 160... 

...the main entrance to the Acropolis...

...where you will pass through Temple of Athena Nike...i wonder if Nike got its name from here...hehehehe...

...and a great Propylaia gate...but so great anymore...

...another structure in Acropolis...second to the Parthenon, the main structure in the centre of Acropolis complex...

...the main temple of Acropolis...still under restoration since late 1970s...



...Temple of Olympian Zeus from the east of Acropolis...this enormous structure is the largest temple in Greece, exceeding even the Parthenon in size! The construction work began in the 6th century BC but it did not complete until 3rd century BC. The temple was erected during Emperor Hadrian...today, only 15 of its original 104-column remain...

...and the Temple of Zeus at the foot of Acropolis on the west side, where a vast complex of ancient Greek administrative city...guarded by so many dogs...


...Athens another great city to explore...
to explore means to learn; to experience; to understand...

A trip to Athens is a history lesson in itself...that brought me to Istanbul, my last journey of winter break...


[my photo album here and here]



4 comments:

Hazia said...

Salam,
Great pics:) Berapa lama u gi sana?
I'm going to Turkey on 11 Feb. Hopefully, can read your Istanbul entry by then la, hehe...
Is it feasible to do a day trip to Athen?

Ms B said...

Would love to see the ottoman's legacy.

ANyway, it is still snowing. big fluffy white flakes. and school is closed! Manic to sort out nanny last minute.

[danial][ma] said...

hej! hazia...thanks for dropping by...i just spent 4 days walked around Istanbul...a day trip to Athens is feasible provided that you take a flight so it will save your time...you can take a ferry/cruise but you will spent longer time to reach Athens...if you are lucky with clear sky, a day spend in Athens will be great...Athens willl be warmed enuff even though now it's winter time, same like Istanbul...i don't think it will be snowing either in Istanbul or Athens like such other parts of continent...enjoy your trip...

[danial][ma] said...

hej! Ms B...so you need to go to Athens...:-)

it is still snowing over here since last night...and me too need to find nanny for mr.ted...hehehehe...enjoy the snow for Little B...

Snow Effect