2015 Gap Year #4

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.

Waiting on the tarmac to board our flight from Istanbul to Athens and yes it is snowing

The Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth

The Bema where Paul was brought before Gallio by the Jews, the Acrocorinth acropolis in the background

The Corinth fountain of Peirene amongst the ruins

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

Climbing the acropolis of Acrocorinth high over the city of Corinth

Views over the Peloponnese from the Acrocorinth

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

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)

The Museum at Mycenae (3000 year old pot bigger than Bonnie)

The imposing Lion Gate at the main entry into the Mycenaean stronghold

A burial chamber in Mycenae where many treasures found including the mask of Agamemnon

Endless views from the ruins of Mycenae

More views in Mycenae and a nice sunny day warmed things up a little

The underground cistern at Mycenae descending 20m underground (pitch black)

The incredible burial chamber at Mycenae

Inside the burial chamber - amazing feat of engineering

Our lovely stopover in Nafplio

More pets on tap in Greece (cats in the background waiting for their pat)

Venetian Castle of Bourtzi (completed 1473) in the Nafplio harbour

Out for a walk with our escort who followed us all around town

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

More ruins of the Palamidi Castle

Showing off their home-made hats

Another view of the imposing Palamidi Castle

Off to Mystras and the many old churches in the lower town - someone was hungry

Exploring another abandoned church in Mystras

The Fortress high over Mystras built in 1249

3 ascending rings of defense in the Mystras Fortress - wonder if Tolken got inspiration for Minas Tirith here

Hard work exploring the Fortress (again a warmer day)

Accommodation in Monemvasia

Looking down on the lower city of Monemvasia

Disappointment with the upper city being closed for some construction work

Upper ruined city overlooking the lower inhabited city of Monemvasia

The very friendly Fotini showing us around her lovely little shop including taste tests

Outside the lower city walls at the Port Gate (can we swim pleassssssssssse?)

The girls defending the Port Gate firing their arrows down on the enemy

We stayed in the red house

Yes a winter swim in the Mediterranean

Monemvasia gearing up for their Venetian festival

Across the causeway and a sad farewell to the "island" of Monemvasia

The scenic drive around the Mani Peninsula

Lunch stop (can we swim pleasssssssse?)

Diros Caves explored by 25 minute boat trip

Diros caves

Diros Caves

Our accommodation in Kardamyli

Bonnie raided the daisies in the front yard and made herself a daisy diadem