Tag Archives: Holland America

Ogling Olympia


Olympia 1

Olympia

Olympia is just over 25 miles (41 kilometers) from Katakalon.  Make sure you bypass the taxi drivers hounding you as you first pass through the port security gate.  They want a ridiculous €80 (about $112 U.S.), and for that price you get just one hour at the site.

Olympia

Olympia

You’ll need almost two hours just to visit the ruins, and that’s not even stepping into the museum.  So, how do you get there for less (a lot less) and get the time you want?  By bus.  Geo Travel is located just past the parking lot outside the cruise ship wharf.  This outfit will transport you to Olympia in a comfortable and air conditioned Mercedes Benz tourist bus, give you 2 ½ hours or more onsite, bring you back to town, and they’ll do all that for just €20 ($28 U.S.).

Olympia 3

Olympia

Entry to the archaeological site is €6 ($8.40 U.S) per person.  Make that €9 ($12.60) if you want to add a visit to the museum in the same package, but you won’t really have time for that.  That’s especially true if you want to quench your thirst before climbing back onto the bus for the return trip.

An Olympic Goddess

An Olympic Goddess

One of the sights you’ll see as you traverse this incredible site is the arched gateway to the Olympic field.

Gateway to the Stadium

Gateway to the Stadium

Beyond that gateway is the stadium where the games took place and the marble line that designated the starting point for many of the races.

Starting Line

Starting Line

Below is a gallery of other wonders awaiting you at Olympia.  Click on any image to bring up the slideshow.

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Catching Katakolon


Katakolon

Katakolon

This was our second sojourn to Katakolon in just over three years, the first while on our 54-day cruise aboard Holland America’s MS Prinsendam.  It’s a charming little fishing village that in ancient times served a very important role as the port city serving Olympia — the site of the original Olympic Games.

Katakolon Fishing Boat

Katakolon Fishing Boat

Since we’d been here before we spent only of small fraction of our port time in Katakolon itself this trip.  Instead, we took a bus to visit Olympia.  But, as you can see, you can do a lot of great photography in a very short period of time here in Katakolon.

Dining on the Waterfront at Katakolon

Dining on the Waterfront at Katakolon

All around you’ll find great colorful details to photograph.  Spotting a photographic gem is not difficult to do here.

Freshening the Bedding

Freshening the Bedding

Restaurants line the waterfront of the village, as well.  Many offer free WiFi in addition to cold beer, so kick your feet up after you’ve returned from Olympia.

Katakolon Closeup

Katakolon Closeup

While you’re sitting there, sipping beer and cruising the internet, keep an eye out for those splashes of color awaiting your camera.

Reflections on Fishing

Reflections on Fishing

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Hope I Can Keep This Up for the Next Month


MS Ryandam — Home for the next month

The cat sitter is diligently taking care of Max and Pooh — the cats who reign supreme in Casa Wicker — and overseeing the old homestead.  The flight to London was uneventful (I hope, as I wrote this in anticipation of an uneventful flight).  The flight to Athens should take place as scheduled.  Our cabin aboard the MS Ryndam awaits.  Internet access will be expensive and, thus, limited.

Even so, I hope to bring to you my thrice-weekly blog.  Over the next thirty+ days I will attempt to post photos of our adventure through the Mediterranean and during our transatlantic crossing.

In mid November — at cruise end — we’ll be meeting with online friends at one of our favorite Tampa-area Italian restaurants.

The voyage aboard MS Ryndam will not be our first.  You may remember our transatlantic excursion in April, 2012, to visit the D-Day Invasion Beaches and other sights:

But the destinations this trip will be much more akin to the 54-day cruise we took aboard MS Prinsendam in April and May of 2010.

MS Prinsendam — Home for 54 Days

What destinations will those be?  Stop by for this week’s Fun Photo Friday for a hint or two.

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