April 11th
Katakolon, (Olympia) Greece
The small port fishing village of Katakolon is located on the west coast of Greece and is the gateway to the ancient site of Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held. We arrived in the morning to a beautiful spring day. The drive to Olympia was about 25 miles inland and about a 1 hr drive. We drove through farmland, vineyards and olive groves. The people of Athens were correct….the “real Greece” was absolutely breathtaking. Springtime in Greece. Everything was just starting to bloom, flower, and grow. It was so very green. The birds were singing, and the fresh air was marvelous. Today made me realize how very cooped up on a ship we have been. We arrived at Olympia and it looked like a park with ruins all over the place. 2000 yrs ago athletes competed here. We saw the original stadium which held over 40,000 spectators, all standing of course. The ruins of the Temple of Zeus, and The Temple of Hera, where the Olympic flame is, still to this day, first lit and then transported by torch to the place where the games are held every 4 years. We walked all over the area just absorbing the feeling. Huge columns toppled all over the ground, and ruined temples and baths. Places carved out of the stone where gold statues were held in niches. It was fantastic. I think the warm sunny weather was a plus. The Judas trees were blooming, so amongst all of the new green growth, there were bright spots of pink flowering trees everywhere. So very peaceful, except for the occasional gas powered weed whacker that brought you back into the present day world. We were able to walk around there for 2 hrs, and it was worth every minute. Back to the village for some shopping and the real world. What a great day.
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