Athens 24th May 2017

Early start again today, awake, bright eyed and bushy tailed to see our arrival into Piraeus, the port for Athens. As I have been to Athens, thogh 6 years ago, I have decided to visit the Corinth Canal.

This engineering marvel, built to cut sailing distance and time from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic Seas in 1882 by the same engineers who constructed the Suez Canal.

As the bus left the port I could see the effects of Greece's economic downturn of the early 2000's. There were a considerable number of empty buildings empty and some damaged through neglect. My tour took us past the once vibrant industrial area where now only oil refineries, cement works and another industry operate. We continued on to the canal where we boarded a small cruise ship to sail through the canal.

A most enjoyable day, returning back to the ship mid-afternoon.

                             On board the cruise boat which took us through the canal

                                         
                                             View from bridge overlooking canal

                                     View from boat whilst traversing Corinth Canal

                                            The boat which took us through canal

                                         Early morning arrival in Piraeus, Greece

                                             Majestic Princess at wharf in Piraeus