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After my last post my mother rang me, worried that I was on my last legs, so I thought I'd better reassure everyone that I'm still standing and a lot fitter than I was this time last year. The many varied and uneven steps of Hydra have provided a great physical work-out. My days on the island haven't been all slog and I took the opportunity of a lull in guests to take the ferry over to Metohi to meet up with Kath and Dave of campervan fame. An early ferry got me to the mainland by 7:30am and with almost military precision, as I stepped off the gangplank, Dave drove into the harbour, (I say "harbour" because I'm not sure what to call a very large car park with a jetty).
By 9:30am, we had parked up in the enormous car park at Epidaurus, eaten breakfast and were primed to beat the Italian tour party to the ticket kiosk. By 10 am, I was spending my day-off climbing up stone steps. But it was worth it, just look at the view. Kath has already written about the site on her blog and I suggest you click here to see better photos and a description of the Ancient World's answer to Lourdes.
An afternoon swim at an almost deserted beach after a lunch overlooking the island of Poros capped a fantastic day-off and primed me for the next two weeks. Sadly this will be the last I see of Kath and Dave for a while as they drive back to resume life in the UK and go back to being "proper parents" in the words of their younger son (who left home 2 years ago).
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| Farewell campervan - every home should have one. |
Looks like a perfect day, if a bit of a busman's holiday with all those steps! I would so love a campervan of my own - we're saving up!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling fit and well
Axxx
I want one too
DeleteLovely post; I do hope you reunite with Dave and Kath and carry on these great adventures soon : )
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss them
DeleteI'm pleased to hear it wasn't all work. Nice to meet up with your friends and sounds like it was a lovely day x
ReplyDeleteMy first and only swim in the sea this year
DeleteB to B, I thought after your last post, you might have been ready for Lourdes.
ReplyDeleteNot yet!
DeleteYour poor knees must have been somewhat disgruntled at having to work on their holiday...but it sounds a lovely day with friends.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of those days that could't be bettered if I tried.
DeleteThe ancient theater looks amazing! What a great trip!
ReplyDeleteThe theatre was great but the rest of the site needed a lot of imagination.
Delete. . is there a connection between all these steps and those 'Hoplite' fellows of old? I think we should be told!
ReplyDeleteIt's lucky I took my degree in archaeology and ancient history or else I would have had no clue what a "hoplite" was. I didn't run up the steps with a shield so can't claim any connection with these Greek warriors.
DeleteNice post....Mom's are all the same. Always worried about you no matter how old you are or where you are. :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing place and I love scouting around those old ancient theaters. I always just stand and think for a moment...I wonder how it was in the day and what was basically going on.
Nice to meet up with your friends....did Jake come also. :-)
I would like to go back for a performance but I enjoyed being there without the crowds.
DeleteBet you've got calves of steel!
ReplyDeleteIt was great having you as our personal guide!! We will be selling the van once we get home - next one will have to be big enough for the 5 of us to go on some long distance adventures! Catch up with you soon we hope xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great, if exhausting time. Epidauros is beautiful....I visited 35 years ago.....not very long ago in the lifespan of the theatre I suppose....it looks the same ! Jx
ReplyDeleteDear Annie, I went to the blog you suggested--Kath and Dave's--and was so intrigued by all that's happening at Epidaurus. In November 1993, my sister-in-law and I spent three weeks in Greece and I got to visit the theater at Epidaurus and yes--sing from the top! We drove from Athens to Thebes and Delphi and then across to Peloponnese and to Olympia, Pylos, Mycenae, Tiryns, Corinth, and back to Athens. Then we flew to Crete and explored several sites. Then back to Athens and home. What a wonderful dream trip that was. And now I'm in the midst of writing a trilogy that takes place in Bronze-Age Greece! Peace.
ReplyDeleteKids, eh! Why can't they let their parents go? What a great day to round off your times with Kath and Dave. All that hauling shopping up the steps in Hydra certainly paid off. :-)
ReplyDeletePity we missed you at Epidauros, but glad you enjoyed it. Apart from the theatre we did enjoy the proper Greek baths and the stadium. And comparing the Asclepion to the one at Bergame... But we are mere amateurs when it comes to archeaology!
ReplyDeleteDid you hear the jay that makes a noise like a kitten? It was hanging around the top of the theatre when we were there.