Get A Taste of Athens

Arrived in Athens last night after an uneventful trip over. That is after being concerned if Belinda would get out of the north in time for our flight to Frankfurt,  she did, all well. We had a transfer from the airport arranged by the hotel. After a quick check in, we were off to find dinner. Found a little roof to restaurant with a view! Some fried feta and fig jam go start. I had a salad and Belinda a chickpea dish,  and cold beers to round it out.

Up early Friday morning for a run, we head to the gardens near by and get our 6km in. And then we are off to meet Pascal for our food tour of Athens.
First stop, traditional coffee house for Greek coffee, accompanied by loukoumi (Turkish Delight).

Next stop 'Open Sesame' for a koulouri, with a new twist on an old tradition. It is Athens version of the New York bagel, sold all over the streets. We have one filled with feta and the other a Greek salad. Both super yummy.

Then we are off to have loukoumades, a Greek donut smothered in honey.

No food tour would be complete without an olive oil tasting. Followed by Greek yogurt and honey. Man I love Greek yogurt,  nothing like Greek style yogurt back home. Belinda picks up a few items to take home.

Then we stroll through the meat and fish markets. Then we are off to sample. Olives, buckets of olives. Belinda samples a few varieties and has some packaged up to take home for Nick, apparently he loves olives.

Across the street we head downstairs to a taverns for lunch, Diporto taverna. These tavernas are a tradition that is dying. They are not marked and you would never know it was down there. The owner will go to the market in the morning and buy what is fresh and cook it, no menu, no options.
Fish, chickpeas, greens and wine. Tasty!

Next on our agenda is package pick up! I thought I knew where it was, but surprise I didn't.  So back to the hotel to change shoes, drop off Belinda's shopping. And off to the expo. Two metros and a tram,  assistance from a couple runners and we make it. Pick up a few gels, socks and headphones. Get our t-shirt and metro passes and we're outta there. Back to our neighbourhood for dinner. Belinda opts for kalamari stuffed with feta and rice, I had spaghetti Bolognese, no complaints. Now that we've walked a half marathon today, we are done!