We are SPARTAAAAA/Mystras/Mani coast Peloponse Greece

This was our first view of the Mani pennsulia........breathtaking....

On the road from Kalamata to Sparta we encountered this crazy tunnel, check out the second curve........

FYI all sites in Greece close @ 3:00 PM, as we learned on this day trip. Because Sally was "getting ready" we arrived at the bysintiene castle of Mystras @ 2:45 and got to look at it from outside the walls. As we were admiring the amazing castle from the outside a "famous" chinese photographer asked me if I was Greek and told me I looked like Leonitdes. We did a little photo shoot for his latest show and that was that....Oh how fame eludes me....


A view of Sparta from the outside of Mystras, I wasn't bitter or anything

Crazy Constiene...

My man Leo.......

Silly Sally

Atfer a underwhelming visit to SPARTA, which is actually not that cool because they built the new town right on top of the acient town, poor Leoinitdes.......We stopped in Glithieon, a quiet fishing village, supposiviely near the bay where Helen and Paris "sealed the deal".

The Squid is the bomb and pretty much moving when it hits the fryer...

And I told you about the occtopus........so good...

Methoni

We continued on our road trip and discovered the ancient palace of Methoni. The site was occupied, for various purposes, from 400 BCE to the early 1800s. We were able to walk along the walls and explore among the wildflowers....sometimes it pays to have no idea what you will discover (alas sometimes it does not)...

The Peloponnese, first stop Pylos

We headed South from Delphi to explore the striking and lesser known Mani of the Southern Peloponnese. The first leg was unplanned and after enough driving to work up a good sweat, we settled into the beautiful town of Pylos.



The incredible sunset had us bending over backward! This is also where we spent Mother's Day (love you moms)....


Wandering unknown towns can usuually produce some good phots....


Unknown beaches can also be pretty rewarding!

Delphi

We made it to the mountain town of Delphi after a beautiful drive along the Gulf of Corinth.

The next morning we headed to the enormous historic site of Delphi for a full day of learnin'....The site is one of the most famous and sacred sites of Greece. Since 800 BCE the greeks have visited the site to make offerings, ask advice from the Oracle, participate in the Pythian Games (similar to the Olympics, which will be covered in a later blog). Zeus released two eagles to determine the center of the Earth, they met at Delphi and hence its sacredness.....Ed and I are standing at the Omphalos, the actual navel of the Earth.


The Propalaiea of Athena was an important part of the site, a little Goddess worship goes a long way....


We have become BIG fans of the guide books...

big fans.....

the ancient stadium sure got us excited for football!!!!!



Did I mention how much we LOVE the tour guide books?????

Naxos

Naxos was great....We LOVED seeing the Harts and Bill "The Traveller" Cummings. It has been one of the many bright spots of our trip.....I think we all love the Gyros and Greek Salads....Personally I think the olive oil is just good....

This arch was once a massive temple of Apallo....Years of weather and looting have left only this standing....It is the symbol of the island...

Cousin/Nephew Ed with the ladies........just a little windy.

Naxos town was beautiful.....

@ night too.....

The octopus was insane, Soooo fresh I could not get enough of it....They hang it for @ least one day so it is not so tough and chewy.....

Sally really got on my nerves and almost went in the drink......At least this was the first time on the trip we disagreed.....

Filoti, Naxos is the "Quintessential" greek island town........I think they like the white houses.

Ed and Tess pretending it is Halloween, over looking the town of Filoti...

Ed and Sky are the undisputed champions of beach paddle ball!

The girls found thier "niche" in a deserted Venetian style castle,

Teresa loved the fried fish, the WHOLE fried fish...Terry enjoyed spectating...

Bill took after his kid sister....

Tess and Sky gave Sally a refresher on Rock Skipping, best classroom ever!

Thira

We took our first overnight ferry to the beautiful island of Santorini......economical, and comfortable if you are lucky enough to find an available windowsill....

The Island went through thousands of years of geological events to create red sand beaches, steep limestone cliffs and preserve the cities of ancient civilizations.


In addition, the water is so salty (and clear) that Ed can float.....and the soil produces some of the best vegetables and wine grapes and the seas brings in the octopus!!!


The scenery is magnificent, and our 11 km hike from Thira to Oia produced some classic Greek Island postcard shots!









SALED ; )