We dock this morning at Katakolon, Greece, arriving at 8:00 A.M. After morning breakfast our intrepid group gathers at 8:45 to meet with our Guide for the day, Anna and the coach driver George. We learn that they arose at 3:30 this morning to travel the 4 hours from Athens to guide our tour - impressive. Our goal today is Olympia, the site of the 1st ancient Olympics and the area from which the Olympic torch is lit beginning each quadrennial games cycle. Interesting to learn that this is nowhere near Mt. Olympus, some 350 miles to the northwest of this coastal plain area.
The fact that will stick most with us from this site is that it has been documented to host civilization since at least the 10th century B.C. The sheer age of the uncovered ruins is startling, especially for this group of Omahans whose own history stretched back less than 165 years. Humbling. We see ruins of the Temple of Zeus, Herus, the Gymnasium where the athletes practiced, the natural bowl Stadium where over 45,000 spectators watched the games, complete with the remains of the original “tunnel walk” there the athletes entered the stadium. There were no stone seats, just grassy banks surrounding the playing field. Nearby, huge classical columns, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, immense blocks of stone, all from the ancient games stretching from the 6th century B.C. At one point, archaeologists have uncovered foundations under the area stretching back to the copper and bronze ages of 2500 B.C.
Next we visited the Museum on the site where there were displayed many statues removed from the site, bronze armaments and implements, and even intact glass bottles from the site. The highlight was the statue of Hermes which was stunning.
We completed the tour around 1:00 and motored back to the port area to walk the small shopping area that composed Katakolon. The sole purpose of this village seems to be tourist shops supported by the cruises and tours that come to see the Olympia site. We snacked on Greek beer, warm feta cheese, cucumber cream sauce and red peppers in delicious olive oil. We strolled the many shops, coming way with remarkably little in the way of souvenirs, just some tee shirts, post cards and lavender sachet.
Returning to the ship, we spread out for cocktails, dinner in the dining room or hamburgers and pizza on the Lido deck and then some wandering, either to the casino, the stage for a show, or to our state rooms for reading and quiet time.
Another day of exploration, walking riding and shopping with a huge dose of education about this ancient land.
