Next Came Greece...Katakolon & Olympia

Here is the beautiful port of Katakolon, Greece.  We docked here on Nov. 2, 1016.  Katakolon is a cute little town about 25 miles from Olympia, Greece.  Many cruise ships dock here during the tourist season to access Olympia.

The fishing boats still leave the port daily to catch fish.

The main tourist attraction for this area is Olympia.  During the high season, you can take a train, taxi or bus.  We arrived at the end of the season so the train wasn't running that day.  We had booked a tour with Express Tours and so we made the drive in a bus and had a very knowledgeable guide named Phinney to explain the archeological sites we were about to see.

A few miles outside of Katakolon, we made a turn at an intersection.  All four corners of the intersection had local merchants selling chickens out of their trucks.

When we arrived at Olympia, our guide obtained our tickets and then directed us to the restrooms.  It seems there is always a line for the women.

The ruins of Olympia are a sanctuary area called the Altis.  The site has ancient ruins, containing, buildings, houses, temples, statues, a stadium, hippodrome, gymansiums (schools), hotels,etc.  This area was the site of the Olympic games throughout the Classical period.  The games were held every four years from the 8th Century BC until the 4th Century AD.  It is believed that the first olympic festival was held there in 776 BC.

Some of the construction was made from shells so apparently the seashore was once nearby.  There have been many earthquakes in this area over the years.

Below is the stadium which was originally a simple track built about 560 BC.  It was upgraded and made larger and sloping sides added for spectators in about 500 BC.

Here our group enters the stadium.  Larry ran the length of it.  We weren't excited to repeat his performance.

Steve and I stood in front of the remains of the Temple of Hera built in 600 BC.  The modern day Olympic flame is lit here by sunlight on parabolic mirrors and then carried to the site of the current Olympic games.

There is a nice museum on the site where many of the statues and remnants of statues are housed and preserved.

This nearby river was an important feature of the local economy.

Greek countryside showing farms, houses, etc.

Entrance to the stadium with our friend, Larry.

Our knowledgeable guide, Phinney.  She spoke several languages and her English was excellent.