Leaving a snowy Istanbul we took a short flight across to Athens and started our Greek adventure. Our first stop was to explore the ancient city of Corinth and the Acrocorinth high above the city. After a quick stop at the Corinth Canal it was on to the the amazing ruins of the bronze age (1600-1100 BC) town of Mycenae. That night we stayed in the lovely little town of Nafplio and the next morning explored the Palamidi Castle overlooking the city before a drive to Sparta to visit yet another ancient city called Mystras. Time for a rest and the next few days we relaxed at the seaside fortress of Monemvasia. It was hard to pull everyone away from Monemvasia but the road ahead led around the rugged and scenic Mani Peninsula to where we are now near the seaside town of Kardamyli. Heading North in a few days to explore some more of this wonderful country.
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| Waiting on the tarmac to board our flight from Istanbul to Athens and yes it is snowing |
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| The Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth |
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| The Bema where Paul was brought before Gallio by the Jews, the Acrocorinth acropolis in the background |
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| The Corinth fountain of Peirene amongst the ruins |
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| Museum in Corinth with some amazing statues and artifacts unearthed on the site and many confirmations of Paul's writings about Corinth and details from Acts |
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| Climbing the acropolis of Acrocorinth high over the city of Corinth |
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| Views over the Peloponnese from the Acrocorinth |
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| Looking down on the modern city of korinthos and might be able to see the two sides of the Corinth Canal cutting through the narrow isthmus holding onto the Peloponnese |
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| The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea and was first attempted by Emperor Nero (unsuccessfully) and only finished in 1893 (isn't dynamite handy) |
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| The Museum at Mycenae (3000 year old pot bigger than Bonnie) |
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| The imposing Lion Gate at the main entry into the Mycenaean stronghold |
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| A burial chamber in Mycenae where many treasures found including the mask of Agamemnon |
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| Endless views from the ruins of Mycenae |
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| More views in Mycenae and a nice sunny day warmed things up a little |
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| The underground cistern at Mycenae descending 20m underground (pitch black) |
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| The incredible burial chamber at Mycenae |
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| Inside the burial chamber - amazing feat of engineering |
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| Our lovely stopover in Nafplio |
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| More pets on tap in Greece (cats in the background waiting for their pat) |
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| Venetian Castle of Bourtzi (completed 1473) in the Nafplio harbour |
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| Out for a walk with our escort who followed us all around town |
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| View of Nafplio from the Palamidi Castle high over the town, Greeks took it from the Turks in 1822 to win their independence from the Ottoman Empire |
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| More ruins of the Palamidi Castle |
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| Showing off their home-made hats |
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| Another view of the imposing Palamidi Castle |
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| Off to Mystras and the many old churches in the lower town - someone was hungry |
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| Exploring another abandoned church in Mystras |
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| The Fortress high over Mystras built in 1249 |
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| 3 ascending rings of defense in the Mystras Fortress - wonder if Tolken got inspiration for Minas Tirith here |
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| Hard work exploring the Fortress (again a warmer day) |
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| Accommodation in Monemvasia |
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| Looking down on the lower city of Monemvasia |
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| Disappointment with the upper city being closed for some construction work |
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| Upper ruined city overlooking the lower inhabited city of Monemvasia |
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| The very friendly Fotini showing us around her lovely little shop including taste tests |
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| Outside the lower city walls at the Port Gate (can we swim pleassssssssssse?) |
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| The girls defending the Port Gate firing their arrows down on the enemy |
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| We stayed in the red house |
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| Yes a winter swim in the Mediterranean |
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| Monemvasia gearing up for their Venetian festival |
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| Across the causeway and a sad farewell to the "island" of Monemvasia |
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| The scenic drive around the Mani Peninsula |
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| Lunch stop (can we swim pleasssssssse?) |
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| Diros Caves explored by 25 minute boat trip |
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| Diros caves |
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| Diros Caves |
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| Our accommodation in Kardamyli |
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| Bonnie raided the daisies in the front yard and made herself a daisy diadem |
