At about 1.30PM, our tour ended. You can then make your own way to the Acropolis Museum (entrance fee 5 euros) or take a guided museum tour for another 17 euros plus the entrance fee. I decided have a look at the Museum, so I descended from the Acropolis site & exited left towards the Museum.
It looks like this from the outside, observe the real remnants of the city's ruins which the museum authorities has sealed a glass walkway over. The inside of the museum is very nice but no cameras are allowed:
Still seething from the taxi fares which I paid the day before (for airport pickup), I decided to give this a miss and go shopping at the Plaka. To make your way to the Plaka (main shopping area near Syntagma Square)from the Acropolis Museum, please look for Vyronnos street sign.
But first before you set foot at Plaka streets, make a quick stop at the corner of Vyronos street for a map from the Tourist Information Center. Please ask any of the stall owners there if you cannot find the center. I obtained a very useful map from the center, and the officer there circled the prime areas downtown for shopping and food. See here, please click to enlarge map :
Hunger pangs set in. Hubby will not be happy knowing I am starving myself (again) forgetting to feed myself to go shopping. So I saw this gelato stand, very cute :) I ordered a milky, frothy FRAPPE (cold Greek Coffee) for 1.50 euros (about 6 MYR). Guess frappe originated from the Greeks because it was so TOTALLY WORTH IT !
Coffee & Drinks Menu
Perked up with caffeine boost, I was ready to walk the Plaka streets. Its fairly easy to walk the streets because although it's winding ... you will know to stay on the path because the other side alleys don't have shops. You continue to walk along the path with shops on either side.
Shops are abundant at the Plaka, most of them are selling 100% cotton fibre dresses Made in Greece. But there are stalls selling also spices, knick knacks etc. It was an enjoyable walk along the Plaka eventhough the heat was almost unbearable.
I only captured one or two shops here, selling dresses but there are SO many shops along the street. I was already in shopping mode (sorry bout this). But here are some tips if you shop at the Plaka, expect tourist prices. Means, do not settle for the first price they give you. Make a walk down the street, you probably find another shop selling the same dress for lower price point.
I saw a white Grecian dress with gold embelishments on its waist. The first shop I went in wanted to sell at 60 euros (I could probably get something like this in Bali or Phuket for much less). Still, undetered ... I walked on. Next 2 shops offered around 28-30 euros. I almost wanted to get it, but they did not have white color. Only in dark colors. Finally, as I approached the end of the street I saw a shop around the corner (and if you shop enough, you will know that's a bargain shop). They had tonnes and tonnes of white dresses in all kinds of designs. I asked the one I was interested in for how much. Guess what. 20 euros! (80 MYR). I got it, I wore this the next day during my cruise tour to the Greek islands :D
Some more shops, featuring all kinds of colorful designs. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide range and variety of summer dresses (I love girlie stuff).
Beautiful handmade jewellery, almost wanted to get these.
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