Napflio

The next day we moved on by bus to the former Greek capital of Nafplio,  known as the prettiest town in Greece.

Along the way we stopped to see the Corinthian Canal, built in 1870s, with no locks, just all at sea level.  We also stopped at Epidavros where among the ruins is an ancient theatre seating 14,000, with acoustics so excellent that from the top we could hear a coin dropped in the centre, or a member of our group badly doing a Celine Dion imitation.

On arrival in Napflio, a few of us climbed legendary 999 steep steps (actually a few less than that) to the fortress above the old town, and explored the ruined bastions on the cliffs overlooking the sea.  We made it back to our, lets say quaint, rooming house nearby on rubber legs.  That night we walked in to the gorgeous touristy old town along the harbour for dinner.

Dogs and cats are everywhere, including on the junk pile just outside out rooms.  Also everywhere in tourist areas of Greece, we see gypsy kids playing accordions, begging or selling junk.  Men everywhere carry a string of beads, called worry beads, like a purse, shaking it and playing with it.

After most of the day to wander in the town, we set off by bus and metro to the port near Athens, Piraeus, for an overnight ferry to Crete.  Crete is by far the largest island in Greece, and was its own entity until a hundred years ago.  The ferry was rather posh, like a cruise ship, with really nice rooms.