Once again, the weather … well, you’ve already heard this about the trip and far be it from me to rub in how wonderful the weather has been. Today was a little breezier and, when in the wind, felt a little cold. But I’ll take it!
We drove to Mycenae this morning. What a unique site! Most of what we’ve seen in Greece to this point has been from the Classical Era of ancient Greece (5th Century b.c.—Acropolis, e.g.) or from the Hellenistic Era (4th Century b.c.—Vergina museum). But the ruins and artifacts of Mycenae are far older (from the 2nd Millennium before Christ—about 1500 b.c.!). We visited the famous “beehive tombs” (and heard the stories of Atreus, Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and Orestes) and walked around the grave circles where Heinreich Schleimann discovered artifacts that gave new meaning to Homer’s phrase “Mycenae rich in gold.” We walked up to the crown of the citadel and viewed the megaron (or throne room) where Agamemnon himself once sat. A great site.
After a quick visit to the Mycenae Museum, we turned the car north to Corinth and went to visit the Corinthian Canal. I’ve seen it dozens of times but it never fails to awe with its scale. What an incredible accomplishment! Then out to Cenchrea, the harbor (east of Corinth) from which Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla set sail for Ephesus at the end of the second missionary journey. A beautiful little spot with little to see but much to remember!
That about wrapped up our trip. We headed back to Nafplio and had lunch (gyros pita one last time). Finally, a quick trip up the Palamadi Castle—the large, crenellated fortress that perches above the harbor and town of Nafplio. Lots of stairs. Lots of nooks and crannies to explore. A great way to spend the afternoon.
We’re about to head out for dinner (as soon as I post this blog)—our last night. A good meal, some conversation about best memories, a gelato to cap off the evening, and then (hopefully) a good sleep. We leave about 7:00 tomorrow morning to get to the airport and drop off Mike and Rick for their flight home. I’ll stay another day and then I’m on my way as well. It’s been a great trip. Rick and Mike have been wonderful travel companions. I hope their memories of our ten days in Greece will be as rich and affectionate as mine.
