June 8, 2018 - Cape Sounion and Farewell Athens

We had our last breakfast on board the ship then we docked early morning in the Port of Piraeus where we met our two guides (Sophia and Kassandra). We boarded our coaches and drove one hour to Cape Sounion. Cape Sounion is the southeastern extremity of the region of Attica. It is a magnificent headland, famous for its strategic importance and the spectacular 5th century BC white columns of the Temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in classical mythology. The Cape affords wonderful views over the Aegean Sea, which contains over 2,000 islands settled by ancient Greeks. The Temple is also associated with a mystical equilateral triangle with two other temples- the Acropolis in Athens and the Temple of Aegina in Aegina (an island close to Athens). It is believed that the triangle was formed by using celestial bodies and stars.

Back on the bus to Athens to attend our farewell luncheon at Bairaktair's Restaurant, where we dined on another traditional Greek feast. At the luncheon we said our thank yous and good-byes to our two guides, Sophia and Kassandra and presented our tour manager, Kostas, with a set of traditional Newfoundland spoons.

 

Our last evening we were so very lucky that our tour organizer and choir manager- Anne Marie (along with huge assistance from Kostas) managed to score several tickets to attend an opera at the Acropolis. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is found at the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens. This theatre seats 5,000 people and boasts excellent acoustics. None of the performers wore a microphone but were heard by all spectators. Our seats were amazing!!!! We sat in awe as we watched and listened to the opera "Nabucco" by Giuseppe Verdi. A once in a lifetime experience. Choir members and companions were captivated by the Hebrew Slaves chorus which some of us sang a few years ago at the Alta Pusteria Festival, northern Italy.

A sleepy return to the hotel to get ready to say good-bye to or tour manager, Kostas, some of our companions and choir members who were continuing on to other destinations.

Giassou (Good-bye), Greece.

Thank you for reading and following us on our Greek tour.

Until next time - your HHMAC Bloggers,

Helen, Tina and Susan