Nafplion, GreeceApr 25, 2012
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Palamidi Fortress, one of 3 to protect the city
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Buildings along the waterfront
| April 25, Navplion, Greece Today was a relaxing day. We tendered ashore with our dinner mates Bonita and Robert and then wandered this small city using Rick Steves' guided walk and map. Navplion, established by the Venetians, was the first capital city of the Greek kingdom. It is the gateway to such ancient cities as Mycenae, Epidauris and Corinth, on the Pelopennesian Peninsula. It is full of references to and beliefs in Greek mythology: Hercules, Zeus, Pegasus, Agammenon. (Made me wish I'd retained more from my high school World History class!) This city is guarded by 3 old forts. One, Bourtzi, sits on an island in the harbor. Another, Palamidi (built in just 3 years, 1711-1714!) is a huge fortress high on a hill atop 850+ steps (or by way of a 15 euro taxi ride!) We admired from below. We roamed the mostly traffic-free Old Town that bursts with restaurants and shops. How they all survive is beyond us! We went into a couple of lovely old churches and enjoyed our visit to the Archaeological Museum with its artifacts of prehistoric Greece and the Mycenaean civilization. As our reward for studying all that history and artifacts we stopped at the Antica Gelateria di Roma to have some of Marcello's ice cream. (He came high recommended by our ship's travel guide and Rick Steves tour book!) Ivan enjoyed his dark chocolate and I really liked my almond with lots of chopped almonds. We met up with a fun couple again (from Williamsport, PA but now living in FL) and sat out on the plaza comparing travel stories and people watching – just like locals! We tendered back to the ship and had a late lunch in the Lido buffet. I left Ivan visiting with them as I went to the theater to see the movie, Albert Nobbs, with Glen Close. Well, it was different... (Realized that I was coming down with a cold, darn it, so returned to our cabin to rest until dinner.) |
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