30th May - Nafplio
There was something familiar about a few of the guests at Pension Marianna.
At breakfast I decided I would ask a woman if she was part of an organised tour and she confirmed that she was. The reason I had asked was because a few of them looked familiar and there was a man in a bright red shirt I was sure I had seen before, more than once.
I mentioned Delphi and yes they were there, I mentioned Olympia and yes they were there, and they had also been in Monemvasia. It seemed that their itinerary and my flexible tour had coincided at least 3 times in the past days. They were on a Rick Steves' Tour with an Australian guide.
At breakfast I also met Eleanor and Pierre and their daughter Nicole (who is based in Athens with her husband who is in the Australian Embassy). They provided me with several wonderful recommendation of places to eat in Nafplio, things to see there and also on the way to Athens. Nicole also suggested contacting Athens Backpackers and Studios for accommodation since they were Australians running the place that she and her husband knew well.
It is always beneficial meeting fellow travellers who have seen a few of the sights ahead of you to make worthwhile recommendations. Thank you.
After breakfast this website was the priority for a few hours.
On the way out in the afternoon I stopped in at the Nafplio Peloponnese Folklore Foundation Museum. This museum is dedicated to illustrating more of the daily life aspects of Peloponnese Greeks over time.
Traditional dress.
After the museum tour I grabbed a bite to eat along the way to the walkway around the headland. For some odd and unknown reason the fabulous walkway is blocked off by gates and signs at each end……that are ineffectual.
Not sure why pedestrians are prohibited.
It is a beautiful walkway around the headland.
When I arrived at the beach I bumped into Nicole and her mum who said the water was wonderful and was not to be missed. They were on their way back to Athens so I thanked them and said goodbye.
I had a fabulous swim - it was a bit windy with a bit of swell coming in but the water was great and so clear - I had swimming goggles, could see lots of fish, that I couldn't catch - they are too quick.
After the swim I walked back towards Marianna Pension and noticed the steps leading up to Palamidi Fortress. I thought I would do the 919 or 999 or whatever it really is steps up to Palamidi Fortress then and there.
It is a decent climb up to the fortress.
I didn't count the steps. Mythically there are 999, the text markings on the steps give the impression of around 929 or so and these aren't the original steps anyway. It is a good bit of exercise getting up and there are many more steps inside.
The view down to Nafplio.
On the way up it was obvious that some rainy weather was nearby although it was hard to tell if it would make its way to me or not…….
Rainy weather on its way.
Inside the fortress.
The upper parts of the fortress.
Rainy weather getting closer.
It wasn't long after I had arrived inside the fortress walls when the rain started. There were several places to take shelter but even so I got rained on for a bit when I was looking around. I though my Salomon multi-sport shoes would be perfect in such conditions but not at all - my goodness the stones up inside the castle walls were slippery and I almost ended upside down many times.
Back down now.
View out to Bourtzi Fort
No safety railing here.
On the way down the hill I met an Australian couple on their way up. They were feeling it after about a quarter of the way up.
The original staircase was covered (just visible in the picture)
I returned to Marianna Pension briefly before readying to head straight back out to see some more of the streets of Nafplio.
I found a relaxed music cafe/bar for a snack and to sample a few of their beer selection. They were very good hosts and offered me something to read - Wallpaper magazine July/August 2001 and a cheese selection.
Wallpaper July/August 2001
The amazing size and capacity of SD cards back then - 64MB
After the blast from the past reading Wallpaper I passed by the hotel to change for dinner. Based on the recommendation of Eleanor, Pierre and Nicole I went for dinner at Alaloum which was fabulous food although so much to eat despite negotiating smaller portions.
I stopped in again at the cool music cafe/bar on the way before heading up the hill to bed.
31st May - Nafplio
At breakfast I met the Australian couple (Kim and Ros) who were walking up to Palamidi Castle on my way down the day before. They are from Bateman's Bay and were driving themselves around Greece and only had a reasonably short amount of time left before they were finishing up. We discussed the merits of doing it yourself or joining tours.....time will tell which is the better way to travel.
Kim and Ros on the way up (yesterday).
I was anticipating checking out that morning if I had heard some good news from Athens Studios. Unfortunately I had not heard anything by around 11am so I asked to extend.
Since I needed to change rooms at Marianna Pension, due to other bookings and my extended stay, I was not too excited about doing too much in Nafplio since yesterday had been fairly long.
Marianna Pension - My new room.
After I checked-in to my new room I received an email from Athens Studios and my accommodation was OK for the next two days (only). I would need to see what could be arranged for a longer stay after arrival.
It was time to relax.......I had downloaded onto the iPad the last two in the Millennium Trilogy (the extended 3hr versions) so I decided to get comfortable and watch them back to back.....
Quiet evening too.
Athens tomorrow.
(This update is courtesy of the much faster WiFi at Grand Nefeli Hotel - fabulous and wish I'd stayed there…)