We woke up early this morning to the announcements that they do every day that we get in port. For us it basically means get up and turn on your TV. I got dressed and ready for the day even before the Diplomatic Briefing began, while Lindsay spent most of the briefing getting ready for the day. I was very concerned about how hot it was going to be outside because they told us it was going to be about 100 degrees. Now that hot with the amount of humidity that I was expecting is not a good combination. I dressed on the cool side just as a precaution.

The briefing was very long and there were about 4 different people that came to talk to us. They didn’t say anything that we didn’t know already and basically just told us to be safe and not to loose our passports.

After the briefing was over, the ship was cleared and we were able to leave and start seeing the sights. All me and Lindsay did was walk through the port of Piraeus until we found a both selling ferry tickets. We got our tickets for the trip to Mykonos with no problem. After that, we walked around trying to figure out where to buy tickets for the 3 island cruise.

Eventually we found a place, but it turned out that the boat would get back to late for Lindsay to do the trip because of her FDP. I still wanted to do it though, so I bought myself a ticket for the following day. After that we walked around Piraeus for awhile to explore. But it was so hot outside that we weren't able to stay out for long because it was so gross. There wasn’t a whole lot to see either so we walked back to the ship to go to lunch.

After we ate lunch, it was time for the SAS trip titled "Sights of Athens and the Acropolis."
        Athens, the capital and largest city in Greece, lies six miles from the port of Piraeus. It is one of the world’s oldest cities with a recorded history that spans at least 3,000 years. Travel to the heart of Athens to Syntagma (Constitution) Square. At the top of the Square stands the Parliament Building, formerly the royal palace, where guards in their traditional costumes keep watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Next, pass the Panathenaic Stadium and the National Gardens. Travel along University Street to see its neoclassical buildings.

        Then head toward the foot of the Acropolis, and pass the remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, the Roman archway built by Emperor Hadrian in 131-32. The Acropolis, or “High City,” is a true testament to the Golden Age of Greece, that magical period at the height of Pericles’ influence (461-429 BCE) when the intellectual and artistic life of Athens flowered. Seeing the ruins of the Parthenon, one of the archetypal images of Western culture, is a revelation yet utterly familiar. Today, as throughout history, the Acropolis offers one entrance—from a terrace above the Agora. The modern path makes a zigzagging ascent through the Beule Gate to legendary attractions such as the Propylaia, Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Parthenon.

So we did exactly what the description says. We also go to watch the changing of the guards at the Parliament building which was really cool to see. They wear really funny shoes and did a very strange  march.

At the Acropolis, it was so hot that we weren't able to stay there for very long. We spent just enough time to see what we needed to see. We signed out of the stip so we could stay in Athens and do some shopping and get dinner.

We decided to take a taxi from the Acropolis to a square that the inter-port student told us had good shopping. Now this cab driver was crazy and drove like a nut case. The place that we were going to was only about a mile away from the Acropolis, so we really didn’t think that the cab drive would cost that much. However, this cab driver demanded 60 Euro from us and then on top of that tried to say that we had only given him 20 Euro after we paid him. He was the biggest scammer I have ever met. During the drive he didn’t ever stop doing the sign of the cross. I think it was because he was trying to get God to forgive him from his vicious act that he did on us. He basically stole from us, and I don’t think that doing the sign of the cross over and over again is going to help him at all.

We walked the square and did a good fair of shopping. Most of it was looking at the shops and not buying anything, but we still did get some good stuff. I got my standard shot glass and post card along with some olive oil soaps and some gifts for Andria and Ciara back at home. Lindsay got a beautiful red leather purse for a steal!. We both got some great olive oil and balsamic vinegar because apparently the best olive oil in the world comes from Greece.

We then found a place to have some dinner, and got some lovely Greek food. It was an enjoyable dinner and there were misters and fans outside to help keep it cooler.

After dinner we headed back to the ship, via Metro, which was very easy to use and only took about 20 minutes. After we got back to the ship it was time to relax and get ready for tomorrow. I needed to be at the island cruise boat by 7:15, but it was on the complete opposite side of the port. About a 45 minute walk.  So I set my alarm for 6am and packed up my backpack.

We then watched some TV and passed out for the night!