Tuesday 18 September - Nafpaktos to Nafplion

Sunrise: Nafpaktos             7:16am

Sunset:  Nafplio                  7:32pm

Steps:                                 11,813

Today was another sunny one with the temp in the high 20’s, low 30’s.  I was up in plenty of time to have breakfast and board the bus before our 8am departure.
The view across the bay this morning

Rio–Antirrio Bridge is the world's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge. It crosses the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, linking the town of Rio on the Peloponnese, to Antirrio on mainland Greece. Its official name is the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridg.
We drove over the bridge when leaving Nafpaktos this morning.

Apparently a lot of the locals still use the ferries to cross, as they only cost 2 euro per car, whereas the bridge passage costs 13 euro per car. I guess it depends on how much of a hurry you are in, as to how you pay to cross.

We had a photo stop to take pics of the bridge. It is rather a lovely structure.

I sat in the front seat today.  I don't know what the photos will be like, as the windscreen isn't all that clean, re bugs.

After crossing the bridge, we starting to head inland. Another agricultural area. Still plenty of olive trees but also hot houses for strawberries and tomatoes, for the colder weather.

Seems drivers are the same the world over. Flashing lights to warm other motorists of a police presence. 

We passed roadside markets in a few of the small towns, selling very large pumpkins.

The Peloponnese region has a large agricultural area.

First stop was at a local tourist outlet with a lot of quality produce there, especially the wine, olive oil products, jewellery, soap and hand creams to mention a few.  We departed there around 11am.

Olympia was our second stop today. It was built on the banks of the River Alfios.  We saw the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra and Phidias’ Workshop.

The museum was the first place we visited with the local guide. 

The East Pediment of the Temple of Zeus: The Chariot Race of Pelops & Oinomaos

The West Pediment of the Temple of Zeus: Battle of Lapiths & Centaurs

The Nike of Paeonios

The Messenger of the Gods.

After touring the museum, we then walked to the archeological site.  Very hot out in the sun, so we kept in the shade as much as possible.  

Philippeion

The Philippeion in the Altis of Olympia was an Ionic circular memorial in limestone and marble, a tholos, which contained chryselephantine statues of Philip's family; himself, Alexander the Great, Olympias, Amyntas III and Eurydice I. (source Wikipedia)

The Temple of Hera

The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek temple at Olympia, Greece, that was dedicated to 

Hera, queen of the Greek Gods. (source Wikipedia)

 The Stadium

The Ruins of the Temple of Zeus

The Gymnasium

After the visit there, we then walked back to where  Christina was and had lunch at a local restaurant.  

I had dolmades. Delicious.  We were back on the bus and on our way by 2:40, heading to Nafplion.

As we continued heading south, I could see glimpses of the sea on the right hand side of the bus. When we reached the town of Kalo Nero, we took a left turn and started heading east and climbing again. There is a real mixture of trees. Olive trees, eucalyptus, conifers, oleanders and  many others. I spotted my first prickly pear bush here in Greece today. They are rife in Malta and aren’t a weed, like they are at home.

About 30km before Kalamata, we took a left turn onto the new highway, which has been opened for 4 or 5 years.  Motorway 7.  We continued on the highway, which in fact is a tollway, as we passed through 3 toll booths. I think the bus cost is €6.75 per booth.  A few wind farms on top of the hills and also more solar farms along the way.  

We bypassed the turn offs to Tripoli South, Tripoli’s industrial area and the Tripoli Airforce Base. That part of the road was lined with trees.  I’m assuming planted when the highway was built. It certainly makes for a green vista. 

We passed through a few tunnels today. Most of them were very short. I think the longest only  1:4km.

I noticed signs on the side of the road, warning of fog, before passing through another tunnel under a mountain.

Nafplion has a population of 33,000,so a small town. Our hotel is not in the town.  Passed through the town of Argo’s just after 5pm. Very narrow streets with a one way system, which a lot of the towns seem to have. 

We arrived around 5:30 and was soon checked into my room.  Room 230

Nice hotel. Nice pool, which I haven't been in yet.  We have 2 nights here.