Checking in for our flight to Athens via Paris.

Josh relaxes in San Francisco International before boarding. The time is 3pm on Wednesday.

By 6pm on Thursday, we’ve arrived in Athens and board a train for our hotel.

We’re all tired and not in much of a talkative mood.

Things perk up a bit later, when we sit to enjoy our Thanksgiving dinner together.

Not exactly turkey with stuffing, but it still tasted pretty good!

Our Athens hotel is a welcome
sight...

Josh and Mod try (again) to steal a Smart Car.

Our first full day starts with cappuccinos, breezers, and a quick check-in with home.

Roasted lamb makes for delicious gyros!

Heading for the Acropolis.

Our first glimpse of the Acropolis with the Parthenon perched atop.

At the foot of the hill is a hint of what’s to come...

Outside the entrance to the Theatre of Herodus Atticus.

Josh being silly.

Me being much more serious.

The outer wall of the Theatre of Herodus Atticus.

The interior of the theatre.

The Theatre of Herodus Atticus on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis.

The entrance to the Acropolis.

Beginning the hike to the top along the Panatheaic Way.

The Theatre of Herodus Atticus from above.

The Theatre of Herodus Atticus.

The actor in Josh seemed quite interested.

Mario takes a breather and admires the view.

And quite the view it is.

The Propylaia, which is the monumental entrance to the Acropolis.

At the top, the Parthenon beckons.

Hike over. We made it.

The Erechtheion, just to the southwest of the Parthenon.

The Caryatids at the south porch of the Erechtheion.

The rocky top of the Acropolis, sporting the Greek flag.

The Parthenon, built in 438 B.C., undergoes yet another restoration.

Josh poses for a shot in front of the Parthenon.

From the top of the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus can be seen.

Mario seems awed by the view.

A bird’s eye view of Athens from the top of the Acropolis.

Looking
northeast, with Lykavittos Hill in the background.

The back side of the Parthenon.

The Theatre of Dionysos.

Josh perched on the wall above the Theatre of Dionysos.

Josh highlights the exquisite Greek
architecture.

The south side of the Parthenon.

The sprawl of Athens is astonishing.

Coming around to the front of the Parthenon.

Posing for a shot in front of the Parthenon.

The number of roaming dogs in the city was a surprise.

Josh meets the Parthenon.

Against a changing and dramatic sky.

Mario looking every which way!

Josh admires the view...again.

Josh rests on the wall of the Acropolis.

The Parthenon.

Josh atop the Acropolis.

Okay...one more shot.

A close-up view of the columns.

The interior frieze is still intact.

The Acropolis Museum.

Alexander the Great.

Josh poses like a lion.

No shortage of nude male statues in this place, I can tell ya that.

Mario wanders through the halls of the museum.

Descending the hill.

Back on the bottom.

Time for lunch. I had a crepe while the guys enjoyed pasta.

The restaurant was in the shadow of the Acropolis
...very cool.