This trip to Europe for Chinese New Year was all Zac's doing. I half-heartedly tried to convince him of a tropical trip to Bali and Borneo in Malaysia and Indonesia, but Zac was adamant that it didn't matter what time of year we went to Europe...we would love it. And thank goodness I listened. Despite my doubts, the weather was amazing. We had a couple of cold days in Venice during Carnival, and a couple of cloudy/rainy days, but other than that, everything was wonderful and not nearly as cold as expected :)
Athens, Greece was the bookends for our trip and we spent time there at both the beginning and end of our trip, which were two very different experiences.
 |
| Look at these babies!! Giants! If there's anything I learned while we were in Europe, it's that we don't do donuts right back home ;) |
Most surprising: the graffiti. It was everywhere, and not always pretty.
 |
| A stall at the Antique Market |
 |
| We found some neat stuff! |
 |
| Sitting in the Square with the Acropolis in the background |
 |
| Ruins were scattered throughout the city |
 |
| Coconut fountain! The best kind of fountain. |
 |
| A dance event in the square |
 |
Our favourite spot in Athens - in front of the Acropolis overlooking the city.
We managed to get up here twice. |
 |
| Ruins below |
 |
| Us up top |
 |
| With a bit more of a view |
 |
| Herodes Atticus with the city behind |
 |
| Look at this poor guy |
 |
| Zac hangin' out |
 |
| Animals everywhere - one of our favourite things |
 |
| It's them! The singing ladies from Hercules! |
 |
| Zac and "Jake" |
 |
| This guy followed Zac around until he stayed |
 |
| Saying goodbye to Jake |
 |
| Hanging out in Plaka |
 |
| Sunset at the Temple of Zeus |
 |
| National Gardens |
 |
| Tree Climbing! |
 |
| We cut off the tops of all the palm trees |
 |
| Parliament Buildings |
 |
I sat on the steps for a picture and one of these guys very rudely
banged his gun down on the ground, loudly. I screamed. |
 |
| When in Athens...frappes at all times. |
 |
| From the Clydactic Art Museum! I love Clydactic Art! Who knew. |
 |
| Apparently Picasso's inspiration |
 |
| Violin? Or person? You decide. |
 |
| About the only thing in the museum that interested Zac :P |
 |
| Zac at the Temple of Zeus |
 |
| Playing Tag |
 |
| In the Acropolis Museum |
 |
| Leggo Herodes Atticus |
 |
| Eating delicious food |
 |
| Baklava..my main reason for going to Greece :P |
At the end of the trip:
 |
| No hospitals this time! |
 |
| We met up with Deb and Ryan! |
 |
...and this cute cat
Following dinner, we came across burning cars and garbage bins and scores of police officers trying to contain the situation. It was all happening outside our friend's hotel, so we took a taxi and hung out in the lobby of our hotel until it all calmed down a bit. I don't know if cars can be harassed, but I liked the alliteration of my title, so go with it:
|
 |
| A harassed car the morning after |
|
 |
| Delicious apple pie |
 |
| Olives |
 |
| So many strays, and we loved each one |
 |
| More ruins! |
