Travelled: 84 kilometres from Kalo Nero to Katakolo, the Peloponnese.
Visited: Ancient Olympia, Archeological Museum and Archeological Site âŹ9 pp.
Stayed: On the waterfront at Katakolo just north of the port, free no service. N37.65114, E21.31718
Greece
It’s been a very pleasant night at Kalo Nero, we have been chatting away with our Dutch neighbours about camper car adventures and the Greek work ethic V Angela Merkel. Another Dutch couple wander over, they spent many years in Australia when they were younger and have many fond memories. We BBQ some calamari and cook a paella having a walk up to the taverna for desert later in the evening. It’s a hard life on the road.
Another cool night and we hear a little rain on the roof, but by sunrise the sky’s are clear. First light is not until after 7 am and a dozy sleep-in is very easy. It’s a busy morning, there are several motorhomes parked along the beach and people are swimming or servicing their vehicle prior to moving on, we are doing both.
Greece
We depart by mid-morning heading north before turning east into the hills for Ancient Olympia. By mid-day we have arrived in the village of Olympia and park with a couple of other motorhomes near the entrance to the site. After the last week or so on the coast, it seems hot here in the hills some 30 kilometres inland. We have a coffee before walking to the ticket office, we are âŹ9 pp poorer and begin the walk through the gardens to the museum.
It’s proves to be a fascinating visit, the archeological site is immense, the museum extraordinary. The sacred grove of Olympia took shape a thousand years before the birth of Christ. The ruins of most of the significant buildings date to the 7th century BC. Games were conducted here every four years for a thousand years. For a couple from the Shire it stretches the imagination. The Olympic torch relay starts from here, every four years.
There has also been an obvious effort to shorten the dole queue by employing a huge staff within the complex. Every 50 metres in any direction there is another security person. Co-incidentally every security person is talking on their phone to family or friends. The security staff are all female between 20-30 but we presume that’s co-incidental or there are three men on the selection panel. Then there’s the rules regarding pictures, you can take a picture, but not a selfie, no personal photos and no photos of the security staff, however that may be something to do with them being on the phone.
It’s been a great visit and we walk up to the village enjoying a gyro for lunch and some free internet. The Greek gyros are a great lunchtime snack and our favourite with a refreshing beverage. We manage to upload some photos and post a blog before heading back to the coast for some R and R in Katakolo.
Greece
On our way into Pyrgos we start to see large piles of rubbish on the side of the road. There is obviously something going on, a strike perhaps, we never find out why. But it’s windows up and airconditioning on until we pass through Pyrgos which takes a while. It’s the worst thing I have seen for a long time and I don’t know how they will ever clear it.
Michael and Pam
4 thoughts on “Ancient Olympia, Greece. 2015 đŹđˇ”
you’re not really paddle boarding till your dog is sitting on the front of the board.
Thanks for the great photos. They make me even more jealous of not being there. Olympus has always been on my bucket list. We didn’t get past Athens and some of the Greek Islands. Pam, you look very tanned and healthy. Gaye
When we were on a cruise there we took the little train to Olympia but couldn’t go right into the ruins as it was Easter & it was closed for the day. Thanks for your photos!
Hi you intrepid travellers !
Although I have not commented – I have become addicted to my near daily dose of your travel tales. I hear and see more of you when you are braving the big wide world out there, than when you are at home – so I’d love to see you continue your blog, once you have returned to hearth and home:)
Travel savely