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Cuba - More than old cars
Early breakfast then down the road to another hotel where we were picked up for our tour. On to a big tour bus with about 20 people we set off to another spot where we met 3 other tour buses and everyone got off to get back on to the appropriate bus for their respective tours. A bit chaotic but we eventually ended up with a group of people comprising 4 French women, a French Canadian couple, 2 Australian couples, 3 Americans and us. The tour is in French and English and the tour guide is doing a great job. We were not aware that it would be a combined language tour so suspect they merged 2 of them to make sure they had enough people to justify a tour at all. Anyway it is no big deal.
Got our first real look at Athens as we headed out. Very busy (morning rush hour) and lots of grafitti which is a shame. First stop was the Corinthian Canal. A deep fairly narrow canal built between 1881 and 1893 to join the Agean and Adriatic Seas making ship travel much shorter. The canal is 343m long, 79m high and 25m wide at sea level.
Back on the road we got lots of information from our tour guide (Maria) none of which we are going to mention here. Information ranged from economic to how the Greek language influenced our languages - all very informative and most of it new to us. Having said that there are about 140 million olive trees in Greece so it is highly likely you will see some of these in our photos. The other item of interest (to us anyway) is that if your house is unfinished you do not have to pay land tax (rates). She told us this because we kept seeing houses which were either single or double level properties which had bits of steel sticking out of the roof as if there was supposed to be another floor to go on. In fact the houses are highly likely to be finished but because they do not look like they are finished the owners pay no taxes. Not sure whether these taxes are state or federal but it must contribute somewhat to the condition of the economy and to date the government has done nothing about this particular bit of tax evasion.
Next stop was the Epidaurus Theatre. This amphitheatre, which seats 15,000 is really well preserved and continues to be used today. It had fantastic accoustics. From the main point of the theatre stage you could still hear people speaking in their normal voice very clearly from the back. Unfortunately there was no one around who was willing to sing, something that happened when we visited the Roman amphitheatre in Orange France.
Nearby was the sanctuary and Temple of Asklepios. This was dedicated to the Greek god Asklepios - god of health and well being. Next to the ruined temple was the museum full of artifacts, statues etc from the sanctuary.
A further stop was the archeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. This was a fortified palace complex built about the 15th century BC. It is one of the earliest places of sophisticated citadel architecture. The two citadels are linked to the Illiad and the Odyssey by Homer despite Homer often mixing facts with myths. Attached to this site was another Museum with relics and and carved stone from the site.
Also at Mycenae was the Ttomb of Agamemnon. It is the best preserved of the "beehive tombs". Constructed around 1250 BC it has a massive entrance which goes directly into a large domed room. This tomb was unique in that it also had another small room attached which we were not allowed into.
After a few more hours driving we arrived at our hotel where we had to be ready for dinner in half an hour. We knew that breakfast was included with the tour but did not realise that dinner was also included. We did have a small menu however and the choices were ok. Alcohol is extra of course and the house wine was fine. End of a long day and need to get to bed for our 630 wake up call which was all arranged!
Got our first real look at Athens as we headed out. Very busy (morning rush hour) and lots of grafitti which is a shame. First stop was the Corinthian Canal. A deep fairly narrow canal built between 1881 and 1893 to join the Agean and Adriatic Seas making ship travel much shorter. The canal is 343m long, 79m high and 25m wide at sea level.
Back on the road we got lots of information from our tour guide (Maria) none of which we are going to mention here. Information ranged from economic to how the Greek language influenced our languages - all very informative and most of it new to us. Having said that there are about 140 million olive trees in Greece so it is highly likely you will see some of these in our photos. The other item of interest (to us anyway) is that if your house is unfinished you do not have to pay land tax (rates). She told us this because we kept seeing houses which were either single or double level properties which had bits of steel sticking out of the roof as if there was supposed to be another floor to go on. In fact the houses are highly likely to be finished but because they do not look like they are finished the owners pay no taxes. Not sure whether these taxes are state or federal but it must contribute somewhat to the condition of the economy and to date the government has done nothing about this particular bit of tax evasion.
Next stop was the Epidaurus Theatre. This amphitheatre, which seats 15,000 is really well preserved and continues to be used today. It had fantastic accoustics. From the main point of the theatre stage you could still hear people speaking in their normal voice very clearly from the back. Unfortunately there was no one around who was willing to sing, something that happened when we visited the Roman amphitheatre in Orange France.
Nearby was the sanctuary and Temple of Asklepios. This was dedicated to the Greek god Asklepios - god of health and well being. Next to the ruined temple was the museum full of artifacts, statues etc from the sanctuary.
A further stop was the archeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. This was a fortified palace complex built about the 15th century BC. It is one of the earliest places of sophisticated citadel architecture. The two citadels are linked to the Illiad and the Odyssey by Homer despite Homer often mixing facts with myths. Attached to this site was another Museum with relics and and carved stone from the site.
Also at Mycenae was the Ttomb of Agamemnon. It is the best preserved of the "beehive tombs". Constructed around 1250 BC it has a massive entrance which goes directly into a large domed room. This tomb was unique in that it also had another small room attached which we were not allowed into.
After a few more hours driving we arrived at our hotel where we had to be ready for dinner in half an hour. We knew that breakfast was included with the tour but did not realise that dinner was also included. We did have a small menu however and the choices were ok. Alcohol is extra of course and the house wine was fine. End of a long day and need to get to bed for our 630 wake up call which was all arranged!
- comments
Gael Not boring at all without photos - you paint a very good picture! However, still looking forward to perusing the photos when they do arrive (at your leisure)!
Roslyn I am exhausted following your great travels.!!!! Keep enjoying xxxx
Gael Really enjoyed the photos that you have added. Thanks.