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26th June-
Contiki tour day 2.
7am departure today. Walked to the bus parked in syntagma square and set off on a city bus tour. We drove to the panathenaic stadium. It was built around the 4th century and the site was chosen as it representatives the place were a messenger brought news of a great battle victory to the city if Athens from marathon. It was restored in 1895 as a site for the first of the modern Olympics. There are barriers in place so you can't get very close just look from the outside. We then drove around in the bus and saw the parliament building and the art gallery and the gardens. Much I'd this area I had already walked with topdeck group. We then finished at the acropolis. A local guide then took us on a tour inside the site. Was here less than 10 days ago but it is an interesting site and having a guide was good as she explained some more of the stories and histories. Was interesting to learn about how there are no straight line in the Parthenon it is all curved at a 4 to 9 ratio. Was also able the get some good pictures as it is earlier in the day so less people maybe just than my first visit. We left Athens around 10am. Drove along the coast so was able to get some nice scenery out the window. We drive past the bay of Salamus, the site of a great naval victory for Greece against the Persians.
We stopped to look at the Corinth Canal. The canal is carved through solid rock and is 6km long and 23 m wide. It was first proposed in 7th century BC but wasn't completed till 1893 with the help of a french company. It was an amazing sight to see. There are locks along the length of the canal and the sides are this shear cliff face. The water below is such a bright blue colour. Were lucky to see a large ship been moved through with a tug boat.
Then drove to the ancient Mycenae site. This was the capital of a mighty civilization from the 1600 - 1200 BC, it is also believed to be the site of Agamemnon's palace and possible tomb. There is little left standing on the site with foundations the only things to see. The grave circles were interesting and they had two walls so as to separate the living from the dead. It was very hot standing around in the sun listening to a guide that talked off on tangents and got distracted very easily. Also visited the treasury of Atreus which was this large beehive shaped chamber that maybe the tomb of Agamemnon. It was around 14 m tall and 14m in diameter. Was nice and cool inside this stone cave.
Made a quick stop at the pottery shop and cafe before driving onto Nafplio. We stopped here for around an hour to enjoy some lunch at the tavern on the water front. Went for a short walk and saw the Bourtzi island fortunes about 600m off the port and also the Akronafplia fortess up on the hill. Didn't climb the 900 plus steeps just looked at it from the town.
At 330pm we set out for the drive to Olympia. As you look at the window you notice the large orange groves and olive trees everywhere. It is a hilly and dry landscape that is broken up by the green cyprus trees. There was another quick stop before our drive through the peloponnese region. This is a major agriculture area of Greece and as such we passed many orchards and olive groves along with field of corn and vegetables. The drive also took us along the coast of the Ionian sea. We arrived in the hotel at Olympia around 730pm and was excited to see a pool :) after a hot and stuffy day it was so refreshing to go for a quick dip. Dinner at the hotel and then we sat around in the outdoor bar area enjoying a refreshing drink.
- comments
Anita Hi Sarah, Sounds like you are getting into the Greek relaxed way of life - lucky you, lots of eating & drinking, seeing some wonderful sites - hard to believe you are so hot over there and we are freezing here Take care - stay well - don't get too much sun! Anita x
Jinny I went to Olympia just for a half hour trip as part of my cruise ship stop. I actually spent most of my time in Katakolon for wine tasting, which was great. Check it out: http://www.jinnygatchi.com/2013/10/29/wine-tasting-at-a-vineyard-in-olympia-greece/