Running in the Olympics

Well since my last update, I have think I have covered more of Greece than I have of New Zealand! First was Athens, and some of you may know I enjoy my sport a little bit, so the highlight of Athens for me wasn't the Parthenon, the Acropolis or the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, but visiting the stadium where the first Olympic Games were held all the way back in 1896. They have been done up a bit since then because they were also used when the Olympics were held here last time in 2004. Anyway back to the stadium, it was free and only a couple of people there so I decided to do a lap of it just for the hell of it and got some good pictures as well. I finished the lap in a world class time and I managed to take the gold for New Zealand!

Then the next morning, it was an early bus ride to Delphi. Basically Delphi's claim to fame was that the 'Oracle of Delphi' was based there. She was a 'wise woman' who gave advise on such things as wars and where to place settlements. And where did she get this knowledge you ask? From inhaling the noxious fumes from the volcanic mountain. And somehow from this region, democracy was born. Maybe we should send our politicians into some boiling lava and see what they come up with?

After Delphi, it was a mission of Greece's public transport to get to Meteora, via a bus to Livadia, a train to Paliofarmoses and another train to Kalambaka, then walking the final 3km. But exploring Meteora the next day was definately worth it. For some reason the monks decided to build monasteries on top of these precarious rocks and they have managed to last several hundred years at this stage. They definately weren't made for ease of tourist accessability. It needed a forest trek to get up there and I saw my first Greek snakes (which I almost stepped on. Several times.) But I lived, and despite many warning signs, I took many photos inside the monasteries. I mean, when they say 'No photos', they really are just making it a challenge for me. :) And they certainly did! Who would have thought monks could afford closed circuit security cameras! But the attached photos are proof of my successful mission.

Then it was back to Athens, via the site of the Battle of Thermopylae (which was a huge highlight for me), and a nights rest before heading down into the Peloponnese region. I was supposed to get up at 4am to head to Monemvasia and work my way back up, but couldn't quite do it, so caught the 12pm train to Corinth instead and work my way down then back up. I checked out the ruins and by some miracle just managed to catch the last bus to Sparta.

I expected Sparta to be just another little town, but it was really happening! Bars, pubs, the works! Also I liked how the pub was right next to the gym. Good incentive. So I arrived there late and trekked to the campsite and survived, via a minor scare with wild dogs, to sleep well another night.

The next day was another miracle in not missing a bus, as I walked up to Mystras (7km) , which were more Byzantine ruins, with an amazing view from the top of the fortress (where I met some fellow Kiwi's from Blenheim. Represent!). I then got told the next bus wasn't for an hour and a half. My bus to Monemvasia was in 1 hour. So I ran the 7km back to the campsite, picked up my backpack and motored into town (avoiding the dogs this time) and made it with a whole 3 minutes to spare.

And aren't I glad I didn't miss that bus! Anyone wanting a picture perfect romantic location on the mainland, Monemvasia is it. It was simply stunning. It's a bit of land that was separated except for a causeway by an earthquake and the Venetians built a fortress on top of it with views for miles and miles over the ocean. It is also hidden around the far-side so you can't see it until you are inside it. It's also all cobbled still from medieval times. Absolutely stunning, and gets my vote as my favourite city/town in Greece.

After that, it was the long bus ride back to Athens for a nice long sleep before I catch a plane out of Greece and into Milan, then down to Rome to meet up with an ex-PMP friend, Helen and a couple of her friends. Until next time!

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