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27th June-
Heading out to the ancient site of Olympia early this morning which is great as you avoid the crowds and heat. We meet our guide at the gate and she walked us through the site explaining ancient Greece and stories of the building ruins around us. The athletes came from all over Greece's city states a month before the games to Olympia where they lived and trained before competing in the games naked in front of up to 50 000 people. There is a large temple to Zeus on the site were all athletes took an oath that they have trained hard and were going to participate fairly and honestly. We then has the chance to walk through the tunnel into the ancient stadium. This tunnel was original covered and athlete disrobed as they went through but we kept our clothes on. Once inside the stadium we were able to run the length of the g track. They ran distances up and back in a straight line not a circle like today. The distance one way is around 200m. Was incredible to think I am running along inside the stadium that once had been the site of a most prestige competition in the ancient world. Stood on the winners rock to claim my prize and again you can't help but imagine how in past the enormous honor that it was to stand on this site as a winner of an event at the Olympics. It is amazing to think about ... and the site is well preserved so you can really get a good feel of the place. You have to wonder if in nearly 3000 years time would any of our Olympic stadiums or building in general still be standing as a testament to the culture and time we are living in...
There is also a small but good museum at the site. It contains many of the original carved marble panels from the site and also statues from both the Greek period and roman style works from there occupation of the site in later years.
We then stopped for lunch in the small modern town of Olympia. Enjoyed a delicious snickers ice cream. They are yummy... Dad if I could I would send you one, I think you would really like it.
Back on the bus and onto Delhi.
We stopped for a break in the town of Nafpaktos. It is on the water so we went to the beach for a swim and sun. The beach is of course rocky and the water is cold. We were laying only beach just enjoying the sun and a couple of locals appear and start playing paddle tennis in front of us. After watching them for a while I got up and joined in. It was harder then it looking trying to play with a wet tennis ball and wooden racket. Was lots of fun though.
Then it was back in the bus. We crossed over the Rion- antirion bridge that runs between the peloponnese and central Greece. We arrived in Delphi around 630pm. The hotel has view down the hill towards the ocean. Went for a quick walk around the town. It is a small town that was relocated to it's current site after excavation began on the ancient site in the 1800s. Dinner at the hotel and then sat around enjoythe evening.
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