First off I have been struggling with the ‘updated’ version of blogger. It isn’t nearly as user friendly as the version from last year’s travels so I’ve resorted to naming pictures in a lump. I do hate updates!
At Olympia, with the help of our extremely friendly guesthouse host, we rented a car for a few days which could be dropped off at any place in The Peloponnese as getting to the various sites on Brian’s list simply wasn’t doable with public transportation. I am not a great passenger and my break leg and terror grip hold were on overdrive. After a day he curtailed his inner Stirling Moss and I adjusted to the style of driving that is required here so as always we came to a good compromise. Next up was Pylos - a charming market town which we used as a base to visit Nestor’s Palace. This site is only for the dedicated Classical History nerds but worth it to us.
Pictures below: Bathtub with polychrome decoration still visible, museum pieces, vista from site
The drive to Kardamili in the Mani took us through the Kalamata region which is synonymous with olives however the roadside stands were laden with bright bags of oranges – by far the best we’ve tasted so far. Kardamili is a popular expat community and well known for an area the author Patrick Leigh Fermor choose to make home. We are still very much in the off season and arrived without a reservation but had no trouble getting a place. One with a hard to beat view. And postcard images at every turn. Had a couple of days here before zigzagging our way back towards Kalamata and Ancient Messene . By now I barely had the break leg engaged…..
Pics include roadside stands in Kalamata, , views of Kardamili from the top of the windy road, views from our abode.
Ancient Messene was recommended and involved a bit of backtracking. We arrived early and there were dozens of tour buses ahead of us. However we couldn’t see many people about and wondered where they were until we came around a corner to a thunder of applause. The amphitheater was packed as proud family members were taking in a school production of Prometheus Bound. We only caught the applause but it was a very happy cast and fun to see them. Wish we’d been there earlier.
Pics include cast of play, stadium, mosaics, and and an unnamed small village where we stopped for an excellent lunch.
Next up was the must see site of Mycenae. We stayed in Argos close to the site and not a tourist destination but where we had a fantastic meal on the local square. Staying here meant we we the very first people through the gates in the morning and had it to ourselves for the first hour. Made extra special by the cooing of doves, chatter of songbirds, and tinkle of goat bells off in the distant hills. And of course those gorgeous spring scents I have gushed about.
Pics include Lion Gate Entrance, inner walls, outer gate, flowers and museum pieces, and the view of Argos’ town square from our €30 room.
Spent one night in the popular city of Nafplio which seemed very touristy after the off the beaten path places we had stayed. Still it was beautiful and had an amazing museum which is topping our list of favourite ones to date . And that bar is very high!
Pics include harbour, museum pieces with amphora, two handled wine goblet –large enough to hold a full bottle – hmmm that could be trouble, and jewelry. The women of classical times had excellent taste.
Next stop is Sifnos for a taste of the Cyclades white village island life. Stay tuned….
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