 |
Battlefield
History Tours |
 |
Our last day today was an excellent mix of Memorial Services, History and friendship. We started by being at the Phaleron Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery to conduct our ANZAC Day Dawn Service and we were supported by the Army Priest who I am grateful to him for being kind enough to meet us at 0600 and to be part of our Service.
Following our Service we adjourned to a local hotel on the shoreline for a beautiful breakfast over looking the sea from the 7th Floor. Following breakfast we made our way to the Museum of the Acropolis where Elena took us through the history of the Acropolis and also how the new Museum building had been constructed without interfering with the archaeological sites on and under the area close to the actual Acropolis that has been selected. Built on large poles was the answer as the base of each only disturbed a minimal area. Inside the Museum are all the statures and other artefacts taken off the Acropolis to protect them from the pollution that erodes the marble etc.
From the Museum we went back to the Phaleron Cemetery to be present at the Australian Govt ANZAC Day Service, at 1100. I nice Service supported by a guard from the Greek Army and Navy. Many Diplomats and Consul Generals from other countries were present and most laid a wreath, as did we.
An invitation to join the Ambassador at his residence was accepted and we then made our way there but first we called in to the 1896 Stadium that was built for the reintroduced Games at that time. Moving on we arrived at the Ambassador's residence and mixing with the various other guests enjoyed his hospitality for a couple of hours. Our group members were able to meet the Ambassador and to chat with him about many issues facing the world at present. It was a lovely time and finally we headed back to the actual Acropolis to see close up what Elena was discussing with us in the Museum.
Much is being done in the reconstruction of the main Temple and the change over the last few years is extraordinary and makes one realise that the site will be returned to its former glory in the future, but, much work still to be done.
We returned to our hotel and then at 1800 met and made our way to our little restaurant for the farewell dinner, followed by a farewell coffee in the Plaka.
A very good tour, a very good group and much accomplished on our journey that covered to the very top of Greece to the furthest point south on the mainland and then to the furthest point south on Crete, with much in between.
I look forward to returning in 2018.
|
|
|
© Battlefield History Tours ABN 74107857705, PO Box 201, Northmead NSW 2152, AUSTRALIA, Phone: 1300 450 436 or +61 412 399 693
| 
|
