Olympia to Athens

Day 37 of our trip and the heat wave continues but we are in good hands.

We have mentioned Erin, who is the backbone of how the Insight tour operates but she is supported by the driver. Andreas is the best driver we have ever experienced. He is very proud of the coach, but his road skills make our holiday even more enjoyable.

The history lesson continues today as we turn east toward Athens. There are always so many olives groves, but today we see the Kalamata variety which is the most popular black olive to be eaten. The others are mostly for pressing into olive oil.

Now we visit the ruined city of Mycenae which is 3,500 years old. This is the oldest archeological site we have been to this trip. Mycenae is celebrated by Homer as the seat of King Agamemnon, who led the Greeks in the Trojan War.

First, we are taken to the Kings tomb and then to the ruins. Unlike other sites in Greece here they found gold and artifacts from the bronze era which they proudly display in their museum. The Mycenaeans were bold, adventurous traders and fierce warriors. They accomplished great feats of engineering and architecture. They designed and built remarkable fortification walls, bridges, and beehive-shaped tombs. Their cities featured elaborate drainage and irrigation systems. Fantastic visit.

Next stop the Mycenean Center where two sisters continue the traditional pottery with artworks used back in the day. The jewellery was also of a particularly high standard, so we bought a few pieces.

Stopped for a quick walk through an elegant town called Nafplio, known for its beautiful architecture, colourful shops and cafes. Their port has a Venetian built fort at the entrance and high above the town is their ancient city.

The Corinth Canal is an artificial canal in Greece that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. We stopped briefly to admire this man-made achievement. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. It took 7 years and 700 workers to carve it through.

It is 6.4 kilometres in length and only 24.6 metres wide at sea level, making it impassable for many modern ships. It was only recently reopened after a landslide. We watched a yacht and a luxury super yacht pass. They pay maybe 300 euros. It is based on the vessel length. Hard to imagine cruise ships were once allowed to navigate this canal.

Serious damage was caused to the canal in World War 2 during the Battle of Greece between the defending Allied troops and the Nazis. German parachutists and glider troops attempted to capture the main bridge over the canal. The bridge was eventually defended and protected by British and Anzac forces.

In the evening we walked deep in a neighborhood full of boardwalk restaurants to enjoy a hearty dinner in true Greek style, complete with wine and good cheer.

Now we have another night in Athens before a crazy early start tomorrow. Our group now shrinks to 15 people. Our favorite couple are Yannis (John) and Cornelia from New Orleans. They are 90 years old and so switched on. Their trip now takes them to join relatives. Another couple transfer to a cruise. Czytaj więcej