Sunday 3 May

First stop today is the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch.

Then a stroll to the changing of the guard. On Sunday at 11am they do the full thing with band and white uniforms. Impressive. Lots of police shouting and blowing whistles to push the tourists back.

On the way to this we saw the statue of Lord (naughty boy) Byron with some Greek bint! Then a cool site. In the last few years Athens has built a subway. Before every centimetre archaeologists had to approve the route. We wandered passed an area the subway had to go around as it was a Roman bath. What would we do in NZ? Bulldoze it down!!!

Back to internet cafe to publish a week of blog entries. Nice lunch and continue exploring the Plaka. Saw Hadrian's library.

Back in hotel Tina irons (ie complains about the number of shirts I have been wearing). Then a surprise. John the Texan brings in his camera cards and we swap photos. Thank goodness for Tina's laptop, a card reader and the portable hard drive I brought. We say goodbye to John and his wife Helen, his sister June and Aunt Betty.

We went to the optional meal in the Plaka - many courses, music and dancing. Once again the main course is poorly done - great starters and salad and excellent entertainment. Pack cases as we leave Athens tomorrow.