Greece: Olympia, the Mani, Ancient Corinth & Nafplio (24th Oct - 3rd Nov 07)

After a 20 hour ferry from Italy, we finally arrived at the port of Patras in Greece, in the SW corner of the country. From here we were in a great position to explore some ancient sites and nature. Our first spot was Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held. The archaelogical site here was fantastic, with an equally good museum so you could imagine how it was under the ancient Greek period.

Where they light the Olympic flame - in the Ancient & Modern Games


Nick trying out the track at Olympia


Then off further down the Peloponesse to a town called Kardamyli (south of Kalamata where we tasted a few olives on route). We did some great walks here, one through a fantastic gorge. This part of Greece has amazing scenery, with small roads, so it was a bit of a stab for us to be sitting on a bus, rather than riding the fantastic roads. But we had to send home the bikes, so we now have to live with the decision.

Walking the Vorges Gorge in Kardamyli


On the Monday morning when catching our bus back, we were slightly moaning at it being over an hour late to arrive. Then at the train station, our train was an hour late too. It took us two days to realise that daylight savings finished in Greece, and we were going by the wrong time - stupid tourists we were.

Then off to more archaelogical sites at Ancient Corinth, and then to wander round a pituresque Greek town of Naplio. While we werent too interested in Classical studies in the past, being here and seeing the real deal is very impressive. So now even a piece of pottery at a musuem is fascinating and it makes us want to learn more about Greek history.

It has taken a bit of adjustment to backpacking again but Greece has been a great country so far and from here we go to Athens and then to a Greek Island of Chios.