2015 Gap Year #5

From the Mani Peninsula in Southern Greece we headed North to drive to Delphi, with a stop on the way in Olympia to see the ruins of the city and the site of the original Olympic games. On the drive to Delphi that afternoon we were unfortunately caught up in a car accident. As we came around a bend we noticed a car about 100m ahead of us spinning out of control in the wet conditions. With little time to react there was just no way to get clear of him and he ended up hitting us on the rear left door where Nancy was sitting. The impact knocked our car off the road into some long grass. We are very thankful for God's hand of protection as it could have been much worse and only a few stitches for Nancy from a piece of glass in her head and a sore neck for Wendy for a few days. They both spent the afternoon in the emergency department at the nearest hospital and after scans and x-rays they were both given the all clear.  

We had to make some minor changes to our plans and spent 2 nights in the town of Pirgos near where the accident happened. After a bit of a rest for Wendy and our new rental car was delivered, we eventually made it to Delphi, but only spent a few hours there before driving on the same day to Meteora to visit the stunning landscape and the monasteries. Then back to Athens, offloaded the car and have spent 3 wonderful days here in this historic city. Off to Israel tomorrow.

Forget the selfie stick, this is the original version of a selfie

Lovely quite seaside town where we stayed 2 nights

"Why didn't we rent this one, I'm sure we could have all fitted"

The ancient stadium at Olympia where they had their running races - Nancy won ours!!

The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, laid flat by various earthquakes

Many little sacrifice figurines found near the altar at the Temple of Zeus

One of the pediments on the Temple of Zeus in the museum

Our car after the accident - a write off. None of the doors could open so we had to get out the sunroof. Again we are so thankful for God's hand of protection.

The accident scene. Fortunate to have the police woman (walking across the road) as she was the only English speaker and a big help through the whole process

The other car driven by a young guy who was actually pretty nice and felt terrible. He even came to the hospital to check on us a few times. We think he most likely had been speeding to lose control.

Pirgos where we had our unplanned stay - wondering why it isn't a major tourist destination??

The bridge from the Peloponnese to the "mainland" on our way to Delphi

The ancient 'mythical' center of the earth (navel) at Delphi

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi with it's magnificent view

Amphitheater at Delphi

Heather looking for the Oracle of Delphi or sniffing the 'prophetic' narcotic gases (one or the other)

View of the Temple of Apollo from the other direction

Museum at Delphi

Museum at Delphi

Museum at Delphi

Meteora in central Greece with six surviving monasteries, each perched precariously on a finger of rock

The monastery of Agios Nikolaos

The Monastery of Agios Stefanos

Females had to put on a skirt to go into the monasteries (height of fashion!)

Looking down over the town of Kalambaka

Monastery of Agia Trias from James Bond fame (For Your Eyes Only)

Family snap

Looking down on the Monastery of Rousanou (Nunnery)

Stairs up to the Monastery of Varlaam

We stayed here in the town of Kastraki

Climbing up to the Monastery of Great Meteoron

Endless views in this very unique place with great walks as well

"Are we at the top yet?"

Arrival at our accommodation in Athens after a walk in the rain (Athenians love their graffiti)

The Acropolis at night from our window

The meat markets - need a strong stomach!

The noisy fruit and veg markets (just like Victoria markets in Melbourne). Oranges are in season and delicious!

The caryatid ladies in the New Acropolis Museum

Changing of the guard at parliament

Athens Archeological Museum - supposedly the mask of Agamemnon (mythical King of Mycenae, 1100-1600BC) 

Wendy selecting her new jewellery ensemble - Athens Archeological Museum

View of the Acropolis from our room

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus at the Acropolis (still used for concerts)

View from the Acropolis over Mars Hill or the Areopegas (center) where Paul talked with the philosophers of Athens

Up to the Acropolis through the Propylaea or main gate

Looking back on the Parthenon

The Erechtheion on the Acropolis

The Panathenaic Stadium completed in marble for the start of the modern Olympics in 1896

Finishing our time in Athens and Greece with a gelati