On to Delphi
Delphi has been inhabited since Mycenaean times (1400 to 1100 BC) where the worship of Apollo as the god of light, harmony, and order was established. Slowly over the ensuing centuries the sanctuary grew in size and importance. During the 800's BC Delphi became more broadly known in the ancient world for the Oracular powers of Pythia, the priestess who sat on a tripod, inhaled ethylene gasses, and chanted garbled words that supposedly foretold the future - at least that is what the ancients believed! This was all fascinating to us. Read on to hear more about our time here!
Delphi Town and Museum
We arrived in the small intimate town of Delphi mid-afternoon. We enjoyed an hour of free time to get our bearings and then met David and hoofed it by foot up to the Delphi Museum, featuring its well preserved ancient artifacts from the site itself. Walking to the museum we were made to feel right at home at the sight of our very own Canadian flag blowing in the breeze, amongst many other national flags. A welcome sight so far away from home. A few highlights of the Delphi museum were the actual re-assembly of the pediment and frieze from the east facade of the treasury of Siphnos, the Charioteer of Delphi, the very large Sphinx of Naxos sitting on an Ionic column about 10m tall. These are featured in the slideshow that follows.
Ancient Delphi
The highlight for us at this location was being transported back in time thousands of years ago as we explored the outdoor site including the Sanctuary of Apollo with its mystical presence and amphitheatre ruins. Penny Kolomvotsou was our local guide and her information was top notch, inspiring and added greatly to our excursion and experience. There are many ancient ruins here, among which are the Temple of Apollo, the re-constructed Treasury of Athens, (where worshipers to this site would bring their offerings), Theatre at Delphi, and the mountain top stadium at Delphi where we ended our walk before re-tracing our steps back.
Wanting to spend as much time as possible in the sunset lit ruins, we found ourselves a little behind schedule so we had to speed walk up the hill to the Vachio Restaurant for a group dinner with its picturesque windows overlooking the mountains and Gulf of Corinth.
Wanting to spend as much time as possible in the sunset lit ruins, we found ourselves a little behind schedule so we had to speed walk up the hill to the Vachio Restaurant for a group dinner with its picturesque windows overlooking the mountains and Gulf of Corinth.
The End of Another Great Day!
All that walking helped us work up an appetite so we were excited to indulge in the recommended dish of Rooster which was a tantalizing choice. We had great conversations at our table of wedding bomb moments! We all had tears streaming down our faces as we shared our outlandish and somewhat embarrassing stories, and then settled down savouring the last of our wine dreaming together of our future travel plans. We felt our lives had just begun.
(Click or hover on Gallery photos below to scroll through and read captions)
(Click or hover on Gallery photos below to scroll through and read captions)
Delphi to Lagkadia
Lagkadia is a picturesque mountain town located approximately in the center of the Peloponnese. What we found intriguing about this town is it is built on a steep wooded mountain slope (Mt. Mainalon with an inclination of 70 degrees - we looked this up when we got home). Lagkadia is divided into upper and lower neighborhoods as the photo above demonstrates. We stayed right in the midst of this most unique, quiet town.
Great Drive from Delphi to Lagkadia via Cog Railway to Kalavryta
Leaving Delphi, we were greeted warmly by David and Thenasis as they took our cases from us and directed us to get on board. Having two seats for each of us was such a treat allowing us to each have a window seat. Stopping mid- morning at a cake shop for a break we enjoyed a selection of Greek pastries and cappuccinos. Oh we could easily get used to this lifestyle! Back on the bus, we questioned David about the lack of traffic on the roads. David informed us gasoline is 10 euros a gallon and people were suffering economically and just couldn't afford the exorbitant prices. Once again we saw firsthand how impactful this crisis was on the Greek people. Continuing on the trip we circled the Gulf of Corinth and crossed the Rio-Antirio Bridge. We stopped in the town of Diakofto and traveled by cog train to Kalavryta, a one hour trip.
In Kalavryta, we had free time and David pointed out some options so Gord and I chose to saunter around the school museum commemorating the horrific massacre of towns’ people by the Nazi’s during WWII. We were emotional as we gazed at the statue of a grief stricken mother hauling her dead husband home on a blanket with her two small, distraught children beside her.
In Kalavryta, we had free time and David pointed out some options so Gord and I chose to saunter around the school museum commemorating the horrific massacre of towns’ people by the Nazi’s during WWII. We were emotional as we gazed at the statue of a grief stricken mother hauling her dead husband home on a blanket with her two small, distraught children beside her.
Back on the bus as we rounded the corner exiting the village of Kalavryta, David directed our attention to the large cross commemorating the area where the men of the village were slaughtered. We felt the same emotion we felt when we visited the concentration camp in Dachau, Germany on our 2014 tour. We will never understand such brutality and cruelty shown to innocent human beings. It is unthinkable for us, but reconfirmed to us the need for each of us to make a choice to stop the madness. Yes, even today the same evil continues, but individually we must choose to show love!
Quietly processing what we had seen, we headed down the windy road to a small secluded restaurant. The charming owners had gone above and beyond for us by setting our lunch table up outside next to the trout inhabited river. Now if we had been a conventional bus tour of 50-60 people, they may have thought twice about it. Pan fried trout, Greek salad, fried cheese, cooked greens and walnut cake for dessert were what we heartily devoured!
Quietly processing what we had seen, we headed down the windy road to a small secluded restaurant. The charming owners had gone above and beyond for us by setting our lunch table up outside next to the trout inhabited river. Now if we had been a conventional bus tour of 50-60 people, they may have thought twice about it. Pan fried trout, Greek salad, fried cheese, cooked greens and walnut cake for dessert were what we heartily devoured!
Lagkadia
Back on the road we arrived in the small quaint village of Lagkadia, late afternoon. With free time on hand, we wandered around and Julie, being a dog lover fast became friends with two village dogs. Wanting to give them meaningful Greek names, but not knowing too many Greek words, Julie aptly named one Parakalo which means thank you and his friend was named Paraklo 2. Clearly Julie needed to expand her Greek vocabulary. Over a glass of Coke with fellow tour members Barb and Stacy, Julie fittingly gave Paraklo 1 a very welcomed belly rub.
We then sauntered up and down the main street, our two new four-legged friends close by and we noticed abandoned houses and very few people. David said the young people, especially girls, don't want to live in such a conservative village so they move to Athens to embrace the lifestyle of modern northern European young adults. Young replacement workers come from Georgia where they have the same orthodox religion. We bought local handmade tablecloths, aprons and dish towels for our family back home. We continued our walk with our new furry friends still following us up above the town, saying "Yasas" to any locals we met. The people were so friendly and responded in kind.
We then sauntered up and down the main street, our two new four-legged friends close by and we noticed abandoned houses and very few people. David said the young people, especially girls, don't want to live in such a conservative village so they move to Athens to embrace the lifestyle of modern northern European young adults. Young replacement workers come from Georgia where they have the same orthodox religion. We bought local handmade tablecloths, aprons and dish towels for our family back home. We continued our walk with our new furry friends still following us up above the town, saying "Yasas" to any locals we met. The people were so friendly and responded in kind.