Up fairly early to eat and
get ready to go out. Richard goes
to the car hire shop to collect the car at 9am, but the car has not yet been
returned. They offer us a bigger
car at the same price, but much to their amusement we decline because we want
to try a Smart car. The car turns
up just after 9:30, so that is fine.
At 10am we are off to Olympia.
It is only 23 km away, so it is not far. We get to the town where the historic archeological site
is. The town isn’t very well
signposted, but we do manage to find our way into the site. We manage to find the museum which we
were highly recommended to. So we
start there. It is a fabulous
museum, which explains the cult of Zeus and the way the area developed. It has some fabulous statuary and bits
of the old buildings. The problem
is that on the archeological site itself, there isn’t much left. The later Roman emperors disbanded the
Olympic games and condemned the site when Christianity took over. Then to finish it off there was a big
earthquake and that destroyed what was left. So the ruins are pretty limited. The best part is the Olympic stadium itself, which is super. It had no seating (except for the
judges) and there are just grassed terraces where the spectators sat. I was impressed. We walked around it. There was a suggestion we should run, but
I used my bad knee as an excuse not to do that.
This was also the site of one of the seven wonders of the world - the statue of Zeus. Unfortunately it isn't there any more.
This was also the site of one of the seven wonders of the world - the statue of Zeus. Unfortunately it isn't there any
So we finished the tour just
about at lunchtime. We walked into
the town. There were several
touristy restaurants where we could choose some lunch. We stopped at one, which I am unsure
was the best choice. I just ate
giant beans, but R had a moussaka, which upset his stomach. Not good.
The weather has
improved. The sky is still covered
in big clouds, but it is very warm and the sun is out from time to time. We think about going to a beach, but in
the end wind up in a large supermarket where wonder of wonders we find all the
things we have been looking for since leaving Italy. We stock up on Perrier, non-caffeinated Coke, beer and a
number of other bits and pieces.
So the car has proved to be most helpful.
Back at the boat we find
that we have bought so many drinks we cannot store them all. We will manage somehow. We have a bit of a rest and then go into
town for dinner. The car agent has
recommended a restaurant. So we
first go to a café and have a cocktail and then have dinner. We have fish, but make sure it is off
the menu, not an unspecified price like the other night. It is a nice meal. I have dozens of small grilled sardines
and R has fried red mullet.
So back to the boat. R has finally agreed to connect us to
the electricity which works. So we
can shower before going to bed.
The weather is a bit iffy tomorrow, but so far looks OK to go the 30
miles down the coast we plan.
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