DESTINATION PATRIDA, 2024 | Highlights Days 0-3 (Athens)

ATHENS HIGHLIGHTS
Days 0 - 3
Melbourne:
Years of planning, months of preparation, down to our final minutes at Melbourne Airport prior to our departure, together with family for one final 'goodbye', before our history-making tour kicks off!
Doha:
A quick stop over at Doha gave us the opportunity to stretch and bust a few moves.
Arrival in Athens, Greece:
For almost half of our "Famous 15", DESTINATION PATRIDA, 2024 was the first ever opportunity to visit Greece.
Australian Embassy, Greece :
Our first official visit was to the Australian Embassy, Greece, where we had the honour of meeting with Her Excellency Ms. Alison Duncan the Australian Ambassador to Greece, Bulgaria and Romania.
Metropolitan Church Athens:
A matter of priority was to visit the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation, to light our candles, and to pray for our health and safety whilst on tour.
Military Barracks of the Hellenic Presidential Guard "Evzones":
Whilst the 'Evzones' and their ceremonial position guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Solider are familiar to all, what is not so well known, is the “stratopedo” or military barracks located close-by.
This is the facility where military personnel assigned with the high honour of being Evzones undertake their training, prepare, dress, and commence and conclude their ceremonial duties.
Office of the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Prof. Γιάννης Χρυσουλάκης :
Prior to our tour we were honoured to announce that DESTINATION ΠΑΤΡΙΔΑ, 2024 was OFFICIALLY ENDORSED by the Hellenic Republic ’s Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Prof. Γιάννης Χρυσουλάκης.
Monastiraki and Plaka:
After lunch, the team had the opportunity to venture out in small groups throughout Athens City (predominantly the Plaka and Monastiraki districts).
Dora Stratou Dance Theatre:
Regarded at the ‘epicentre of Greek dance’ worldwide, the Dora Stratou Dance Theater in Athens remains to this day, a living museum of Greek folklore and tradition. A lifelong dream of our school’s founder, Alkis Manasis, has been to perform on this stage; shortly, we will realise this dream.
Banana Club:
Our first 'club experience' while on tour, we found ourselves at the famous Banana Club, where our crew rocked until the early hours of the morning!
Panagia Kapnikarea:
The church is located in the middle of Ermou St, which connects Syntagma with Monastiraki Square. It is a renowned Athenian monument, one of the oldest churches in Athens and, admittedly, one of the most significant Byzantine edifices.
Pazari of Monastiraki:
At the famous Sunday flea-market in Monastiraki, you can literally find anything from antiques to transistor radios, cell phones, books and stuff that would generally be classified as sheer junk... but might be the exact thing that someone else is looking for.
Parade and Changing of the Guard by the "Evzones":
At 11:00am every Sunday, the Presidential Guard "Evzones" accompanied by the military band, performs the official changing of the guard, which includes a formal parade from the army barracks, and the recital of the Greek National Anthem.
Acropolis Museum - Μουσείο Ακρόπολης :
Located in the historic of Makryianni district, the Museum stands less than 300m southeast of the Parthenon.
"όποιος μπαίνει στο χορό, χορεύει":
The streets of Athens, are practically lined with musicians- some of the most humble, gentle natured, and incredibly talented individuals one could ever meet.
Acropolis- Conquering the most famous hilltop in the world:
Situated on a rocky outcrop above Athens, the Acropolis is a citadel featuring some of the greatest architecture of the classical world. On this hill were born democracy, philosophy, theatre, freedom of expression and speech, all of which provide to this day the intellectual and spiritual foundation for the contemporary world and its values.
O Thanasis (kebab)
A visit to Athens is not complete without a meal at the famous O Thanasis (kebab) in the Monastiraki precinct. The luncheon also provided the opportunity for a communal catch-up for our students who had family residing in Athens.
Writing History- Dora Stratou Dance Theatre:
On this day, Sunday 23rd June, 2024 on a 42-degree day, the realisation of that dream came one step closer, when for the first time in our dance school's history, we aligned ourselves 'on stage' (on THAT stage), to undertake a formal rehearsal.
Ανεφάνη :
On a warm summer's night, we found ourselves again at the famous Ανεφάνη restaurant, however this time rather than the rooftop "taratsa", we opted for an intimate dinner in the authentic, classical indoor setting... and then we still ended up at a rooftop bar!
Complete with live music (and a few tsipourakia!), we partied the night away, celebrating everything we had already accomplished, and all that was yet to come...