Kyllini, Greece

Yesterday we chose this beautiful swimming spot for the next 2 nights. (still in the Peloponnese!)

Ancient Olympia

We visited the museum and archaeological site. The museum was just mind blowing!  Artifacts from 2000BC, late Neolithic to Mycenaean times.  Amazing history!

Zeus & Ganymede

Statue of Hermes - a whole room
dedicated to this magnificent statue

Temple of Zeus

Temple of Zeus

The sanctuary, known as the Altis, consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. Enclosed within thetemenos (sacred enclosure) are the Temple of Hera (or Heraion/Heraeum), the Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion, and the area of the altar, where the sacrifices were made.

To the north of the sanctuary can be found the Prytaneion and the Philippeion, as well as the array of treasuriesrepresenting the various city-states. The Metroon lies to the south of these treasuries, with the Echo Stoa to the east. The hippodrome and later stadium were located east of the Echo Stoa. To the south of the sanctuary is the South Stoa and the Bouleuterion, whereas the Palaestra, the workshop of Pheidias, the Gymnasion, and the Leonidaion lie to the west.

Olympia was also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus that used to stand there, sculpted by Pheidias, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Antipater of Sidon. Very close to the Temple of Zeus which housed this statue, the studio of Pheidias was excavated in the 1950s. Evidence found there, such as sculptor's tools, corroborates this opinion. The ancient ruins sit north of the Alfeios River and south of Mount Kronos (named after the Greek deity Kronos). The Kladeos, a tributary of the Alfeios, flows around the area.  Wikipedia

Epidavros, Greece

Epidavros, dating back to 400 BC. The home of medicine and healing. We learnt from this visit that many ancient structures throughout Greece have been rebuilt from pillaged materials from even older structures.

This amphitheater is still used today. It was built to
last. It has amazing acoustics and we were fortunate
enough to be entertained by a random opera singer
who burst into voice in the middle of the theatre.

We haven't tired of the wonderful
Greek history and ruins.

An early stadium with marked tracks for
athletes and tiered seating.

Ruins of a temple, part of the Epidavros ruins.
 A lot of this is being rebuilt using moulds
of the original structures.

The asclepeion at Epidaurus was the most celebrated healing center of the Classical world, the place where ill people went in the hope of being cured. To find out the right cure for their ailments, they spent a night in the enkoimeteria, a big sleeping hall. In their dreams, the god himself would advise them what they had to do to regain their health. Found in the sanctuary, there was a guest house for 160 guestrooms. There are also mineral springs in the vicinity which may have been used in healing.  Wikipedia

Kakovatos Beach, Greece

We found ourselves another beautiful spot.  Tholo in the Peloppenes, Greece.  We've done a bit of bike riding, swimming and camper cleaning.  It's been a busy day!

View from the Tholo beach bar — at Kakovatos Beach

Tholo beach sunset — at Kakovatos Beach

A village church we biked past today near
Tholo — atKakovatos Beach.

Tolo, Greece

It's farewell to our relaxing 4 day pit stop in beautiful Tolo, Greece. Back on the road today to find another equally beautiful spot.

Entrance into Tolo, looking into the bay

Tolo bay

Early morning photo at Tolo wharf

Donuts for sale on the beach - a possible job
prospect in NZ, Karen MacKenzie, Chris Paget?

Nafplio

A lovely day in Nafplio, yesterday - once the Capital of Greece, now a beautiful Venetian style town.

More graffiti

Venetian style streets and housing.
Just love it!

999 steps we walked up to the top

There is a waterfall in the background if you look hard

Mediterranean in the background

Castle

A Wee Walk!

Palamidi Fortress, Nafplio - 999 steps to the top in 30+ degrees heat

Hadn't planned on this walk, oh well in jandals
here we go ...

The stunning view at the top, well worth the
hike up - just magic!

View over Nafplio

Another view from the top

The Fortress

Palamidi Fortress

Palamidi (Greek: Παλαμήδι) is a fortress to the east of the Acronauplia in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715).

The fortress was a very large and ambitious project, but was finished within a relatively short period from 1711 until 1714. It is a typical baroque fortress based on the plans of the engineers Giaxich and Lasalle. In 1715 it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was captured by the Greeks. Wikipedia

A lovely cold beer and a toasted sandwich at the top!

Acropolis Athens

Herodes theatre

It was built in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. It was originally a steep-sloped theater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive, cedar of Lebanontimber. It was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000. It lasted intact until it was destroyed and turned into a ruin by the Heruli in 267 AD.

Parthenon

1. The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. Wikipedia

Athens - Changing of the Guard

Hellenic Parliament and the Changing of the Guards Parade.  This is carried out every Sunday at 11 am.  We felt like we were watching something out of a Monty Python movie!

Water fountain near Parliament

Hellenic Parliament buildings - changing of the guards

Athens - possibly Graffiti Capital of the world?

Travelers to Athens can't help but notice the amount of graffiti in the city. Any surface that can be sprayed upon is covered with a maddening number of signatures and designs. Beautifully restored neo-classic houses from the late 19th Century usually have a few days or weeks before they are covered in graffiti and owners find themselves in a war that they eventually lose and surrender to the kids. 

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