Olive Trees
There were olive trees everywhere.
Some cultivated, others seemingly wild.
It's a shame none of us enjoy olives.
Alpheios or Cladeos
There were two rivers that carved the valley in which the ancient Olympic
games were held. This is one of them (we can't remember which).
Trees Amid the Ruins
Our first view of the excavated site.
Old Walls
There were several buildings here. The walls can still be seen.
Columns
The columns stand like dried plant stalks in a garden.
Amalia
In a pensive (or, perhaps, pelopennesive) mood.
Green and Grey
Like the olive trees, the site appeared to be a mix of greens and greys.
Anyone Read Greek?
The Arch
This is what remains of the tunnel that led to the stadium.
On Your Marks...
Aled and Amalia get set for a race, from the ancient Olympic
starting blocks, which are still in place.
Go!
Amalia takes the lead...
...but Aled catches up...
...and Papa comes in a distant 3rd.
Rachel on a Pedestal
...where she belongs?
Rachel and Amalia, Both on Pedestals
Aled & Amalia Being Silly
...and Chris being too serious.
Aled & Amalia Being Silly
...and Chris not catching on.
Aled & Amalia Being Silly
...and Chris finally getting a clue.
Cat
Every place we visited, Amalia found cats. This one was being aloof.
A & A Resting Their Feet
Rachel took several pictures of the two of them sitting on this bit of old
wall.
Model of Ancient Olympia
This is a model of the ancient site. It's in a plexiglass case, which
isn't great for picture-taking. It's fascinating, however, to see what
the site would have looked like. The large building at the center was the
Temple of Zeus.
Aled Studies the Model
A & A Studying the Model
Painted Facade
We often imagine ancient Greek and Roman buildings as being raw stone.
We learned here that they were, in fact, often painted with intricate
designs.
Statues
These statues decorated the temples.
Hermes of Praxiteles
Hermes of Praxiteles
Hermes of Praxiteles
We were surprised by the detail in the carving of the feet of this statue.
Emperor Hadrian
Emperor Hadrian (detail)
The Amalia Hotel
Amalia found that her name was much more popular in Europe than it is here
in the US.
Emergency Shuttle
This little boat had to be sent to pick up a couple of passengers who
failed to return to the ship in time.
The Katakolon Harbor
It looks even smaller when the ship is docked there.
Mediterranean Jellyfish
We saw a lot of these. Some of the other GeekCruisers got some really
nice photos of the jellyfish.
Amalia and Jasmine
...in the hot tub.
Church on a Perch
There were several churches like this one on the fringy edges of Greece.
Aled Really Liked the Veranda
Aled and Amalia
...getting ready for dinner with Heather in the main dinning room.