We awoke the next morning already docked in the small Greek fishing village of Katakolon, in the western Peloponnese region. This quaint hamlet was the jumping off point for the relatively short bus ride through mountainous terrain strewn with orange and olive groves, to the ancient site of Olympia where the earliest Olympic games were held over two thousand years ago.
Among the ruins of stadiums and gymnasiums stands the one remaining pillar of the former Temple of Zeus, which housed a statue in his honour that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Also still legible at the entrance to the arena, were the stones where those caught cheating in the Games had to etch their names for eternity, along with what they did to earn their shame.
After touring the ruins and running a length of the ancient arena, we returned via coach to Katakolon and enjoyed some shopping and a nice lunch on the waterfront. After all, what is a trip to Greece without a real Greek salad and a jug of red wine at seaside? I had never seen a brick of feta so large on one salad....the waiter kept apologizing that it had broken under it's own weight before he could get it to the table! Parakolo!
1. Remaining pillar of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia
2. Greek ruins
3. Ancient arena
4. Real Greek salad!
5. Norwegian Jade docked at Katakolon
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1 comment:
seriously? The cheaters get greater everlasting fame than the winners? I gotta revise my action plan...
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