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I've recently spent a few days in the Greek capital, alone. One of us couldn't make the trip.

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First thing I wanted to eat on my first morning in Athens was yoghurt. Stani is a small dairy shop, one of the last dairy specialists in Athens, that has traditional, real Greek-style yoghurt with quality milk sourced from small producers not far away.

 

Small portion of cow's milk yoghurt

 

Sheep's milk yoghurt. Rich and milky, and sheepy (tasting).

 

I already had coffee before heading out but still wanted 2 cups of double Greek coffee. A "single" Greek coffee is tiny. 2 sips and it's done.

The dairy shop is not easy to find as it's hidden in an alley.

The central market is also in the area so of course I hit it next. The fish and meat sections are big, wet, and loud.

Same snails I have eaten from northern to southern Greece, only what other things that go into the dishes are different.

Interesting crab-like crustacean

Shellfish specialist

 

First lunch some time later.

 

Had to eat it at least once. I'm in Greece, after all.

 

Souvlaki Leivadia is not in the city centre. It's popular with locals, and tourists who don't mind walking or taking the metro to reach it. It's an easy 15-20 minute walk from my hostel.

 

Finally it cooled down just a little in the evening...

 

First visit to this small craft beer bar where I enjoyed a few nice beers.

 

The moment my childhood dream came true... A sight to behold. The floodlit Acropolis (behind Erechtheion, parts of the Parthenon is visible from where I was standing).

Such is the thrill of rediscovering ancient Greece in modern Athens. You'll be seeing photos of Acropolis again in the coming posts so be warned. Unfortunately for me, every waking moment was very stressful as silence simply does not exist in Athens. Massive crowds of tourists and Athenians pack the streets at all hours of the day and much of the night as well. I needed horse blinkers/blinders to limit the impact of distraction.

It's very hot already (25C/77F), can't imagine being here in high season/summer when temperatures hover round 35C/95F and the sheer volume of tourists, not to mention the higher prices. I'd go bonkers.

I've recently spent a few days in the Greek capital, alone. One of us couldn't make the trip.

-------------------

 

First thing I wanted to eat on my first morning in Athens was yoghurt. Stani is a small dairy shop, one of the last dairy specialists in Athens, that has traditional, real Greek-style yoghurt with quality milk sourced from small producers not far away.

 

Small portion of cow's milk yoghurt

 

Sheep's milk yoghurt. Rich and milky, and sheepy (tasting).

 

I already had coffee before heading out but still wanted 2 cups of double Greek coffee. A "single" Greek coffee is tiny. 2 sips and it's done.

The dairy shop is not easy to find as it's hidden in an alley.

The central market is also in the area so of course I hit it next. The fish and meat sections are big, wet, and loud.

Same snails I have eaten from northern to southern Greece, only what other things that go into the dishes are different.

Interesting crab-like crustacean

Shellfish specialist

 

First lunch some time later.

 

Had to eat it at least once. I'm in Greece, after all.

 

Souvlaki Leivadia is not in the city centre. It's popular with locals, and tourists who don't mind walking or taking the metro to reach it. It's an easy 15-20 minute walk from my hostel.

 

Finally it cooled down just a little in the evening...

 

First visit to this small craft beer bar where I enjoyed a few nice beers.

 

The moment my childhood dream came true... A sight to behold. The floodlit Acropolis (behind Erechtheion, parts of the Parthenon is visible from where I was standing).

Such is the thrill of rediscovering ancient Greece in modern Athens. You'll be seeing photos of Acropolis again in the coming posts so be warned. Unfortunately for me, every waking moment was very stressful as silence simply does not exist in Athens. Massive crowds of tourists and Athenians pack the streets at all hours of the day and much of the night as well. I needed horse blinkers/blinders to limit the impact of distraction.

It's very hot already (25C/77F), can't imagine being here in high season/summer when temperatures hover round 35C/95F and the sheer volume of tourists, not to mention the higher prices. I'd go bonkers.

I've recently spent a few days in the Greek capital, alone. All the exterior window frames and doors are (still) being repainted and one of us had to remain here to take care of the house.

--------------

 

First thing I wanted to eat on my first morning in Athens was yoghurt. Stani is a small dairy shop, one of the last dairy specialists in Athens, that has traditional, real Greek-style yoghurt with quality milk sourced from small producers not far away.

 

Small portion of cow's milk yoghurt

 

Sheep's milk yoghurt. Rich and milky, and sheepy (tasting).

 

I already had coffee before heading out but still wanted 2 cups of double Greek coffee. A "single" Greek coffee is tiny. 2 sips and it's done.

The dairy shop is not easy to find as it's hidden in an alley.

The central market is also in the area so of course I hit it next. The fish and meat sections are big, wet, and loud.

Same snails I have eaten from northern to southern Greece, only what other things that go into the dishes are different.

Interesting crab-like crustacean

Shellfish specialist

 

First lunch some time later.

 

Had to eat it at least once. I'm in Greece, after all.

 

Souvlaki Leivadia is not in the city centre. It's popular with locals, and tourists who don't mind walking or taking the metro to reach it. It's an easy 15-20 minute walk from my hostel.

 

Finally it cooled down just a little in the evening...

 

First visit to this small craft beer bar where I enjoyed a few nice beers.

 

The moment my childhood dream came true... A sight to behold. The floodlit Acropolis (behind Erechtheion, parts of the Parthenon is visible from where I was standing).

Such is the thrill of rediscovering ancient Greece in modern Athens. You'll be seeing photos of Acropolis again in the coming posts so be warned. Unfortunately for me, every waking moment was very stressful as silence simply does not exist in Athens. Massive crowds of tourists and Athenians pack the streets at all hours of the day and much of the night as well. I needed horse blinkers/blinders to limit the impact of distraction.

It's very hot already (25C/77F), can't imagine being here in high season/summer when temperatures hover round 35C/95F and the sheer volume of tourists, not to mention the higher prices. I'd go bonkers.