September 23, 2012
Said good-bye to Kardamyli and headed to a little hilltop village with several churches featuring frescos. It was amazing to walk into these tiny churches, which only had room for 5 or 6 people. This was the first time in all my travels to see frescos painted on the ceilings and walls. In one of the larger churches I lit a candle for Mom. We always wanted to go on a Rick Steves tour together. She would have loved Greece. Before getting onto the bus Colin treated the group to Greek Coffee in the center of the village. Dad delighted part of the group with his “ability” to read coffee grounds. Can’t say I ever saw him do that back home! |
A couple hours later we enjoyed a lunch at a stunningly picturesque harbor side taverna. Lunch was fresh Red Mullet caught right in the harbor. The fish was super fresh because it is literally caught, immediately scaled right on the steps of the restaurant and taken straight to the kitchen. After lunch cameras were snapping, capturing images of the postcard perfect harbor. The water was transparent blue with shades of green making the little boats appear as if they were floating on nothing.
Words cannot describe everything we see and do on this tour. Even pictures cannot capture all the magical moments that we've had. I'm so happy Dad and I are sharing this trip together. It will be one that we talk about for years to come. |
Later in the afternoon we arrived in Monemvasia a.k.a. The Big Rock where we would stay for two nights at Hotel Panorama. During our orientation meeting Colin mentioned that since it was Sunday there was a good chance soccer matches would be on TVs down in the town center cafés. As luck would have it we found a café right on the water showing Greek soccer! Dad was happy.
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Another hour on the bus and we stopped to stretch our legs in a fishing town. Dad and I walked along the harbor and at one point I pulled out my camera to take some pictures of the boats. I turned around and Dad gone. He was nowhere in sight. Afraid he was lost I started to panic as I looked around the harbor for him. A block away I saw some folks from our tour at an outdoor café and walked over to ask if they had seen Dad. "Oh yeah, he's over on the couch watching soccer". The man must have an internal GPS enabling him to find soccer games wherever he goes!
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September 24, 2012 This morning we crossed the causeway and Colin took us on a walking tour of the picturesque lower village of Monemvasia. No motorized vehicles are allowed through the gate of the village. After about 45 minutes Colin gave us the rest of the day and evening to explore the medieval fortress on our own. Dad and I explored the maze of narrow cobblestone alleyways. Photo opportunities appeared around every corner. I'm glad I brought so many memory cards. |
At 6:00 P.M. Colin set up an olive oil tasting on the patio of the hotel which was quite entertaining. Dinner was on our own, so Dad and I walked to the harbor and found an outdoor restaurant. Of course, it had to have a huge TV to watch more Greek soccer. Within an hour the entire place was packed with Greek men ranging from 7 to 70 years old bonded by the true international language--SOCCER.