Back on the mainland, Epidavros in the Peleponnes

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Saturday 12 August

Michele, Alexios and Katerina, Maz and I took a taxi to Epidavros, a seaside town 120 km south along the coast from Piraus. Here we have no car and there is nowhere to walk other than the beaches each side of town.

We're staying at the Soronis Hotel in the centre of town and only 50 metres or so from the water. The hotel is newly renovated, very comfortable, and the owner / manager is a wonderful host. Around the corner is a cafe/ restaurant which advertises "Internet". They have one PC for the use of the owner / customers alike..no charge. But it's a dinassaur dial up connection with no USB. But, oh well, I've got all day.

We are now in lazy holiday mode and will keep a gentle pace until we face up to the return journey next Wednesday when we head off from here to Athens and home via Dubai.

While we seem to have been away forever, and it's unusual that a holiday seems to be such a long time, this is our last day of lazing around at the beach in the hot sun. By the time we have finished breakfast each morning (around 9.30) it's already about 35 and stays there until 6pm when the sun gets lower. The weather is so predictable you can get into routines certain of the weather. Hot, dry, and around 35-38, no wind, every day since we left Tinos (where it was a bit cooler and windy).

We have settled into the meal times -bfast around 9, lunch 2-3, dinner anytime after 9.30 and often 10.30 finishing around midnight. Because of the weather that seems quite natural here, where a siesta after lunch is a good idea before emerging for some more strenuous swimming about 4-5 before drinks. At both beaches at Epidavros there are makeshift tavernas beachside with plastic tables and chairs in the shade and old caravans from which drinks (including beers and wine by the carafe) and snacks are served to the tables. Very civilized!

The last two nights we have been to restaurants recommended by our friendly hotel owner/ manager. Both have been memorable. Last night was a short walk past the orage groves to a restaurant set in a beautiful garden pergola setting looking over the town and out to sea. The night before, in a courtyard with a complete canopy of orange trees bursting with oranges in full colour. It was such a dramatic and unusal setting and the food was excellent- a large variety of oven cooked dishes as well as grilled, many baked vegetable dishes, and a good variety of fresh fish.

The cafe I am in (single termal internet cafe) is big in variety with 35 varieties of ice cream, 12 fresh juices, 30 beers, ditto wines etc. Rob, this is a good place to chill out (and meet a nice Greek girl). There is however, a serious weight problem here. More than half the adults are obese and many of their kids are the same

Cheers !

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Photos

Epidavros
This is a beautiful place with everthing you need to do nothing but the basics.

Lunch by the water
Seafood here is great!

A quiet beach at Epidavros
One of our beach options only a few minutes walk from Soronis Hotel in the centre of town