Rio-Andirrio Ferry Trip

Since 2004, the year of Athens Olympic Games, the Streit of Rio-Andirrio can be crossed through bridge.

However, it is still possible to cross it by ferry, just as in the past.



During a recent weekend trip, we used a ferry to cross the streit, after visiting the Fortress of Rio, also known as the Castle of the Morea.

The ferry is more for vehicles than for humans. We paid 6.50 Euros, about the half of the bridge toll.



The trip lasted about quarter of an hour, but summing up the time to load the cars and the time to get off from the boat, it took like three quarters of an hour.



Rio-Andirrio Bridge is a beauty, but the ferry trip is also pleasant, if you are not in a hurry and the weather is good.

Laconian Products Fair

Went to Laconian Products Fair (Η Γιορτή Λακωνικών Προϊόντων) yesterday.

It started yesterday and continues until this Friday (13th March). Location is Syntagma Metro Station. It is open, if I remember well, from 9 in the morning to 22 in the evening. Evidently it is the second time that such an fair is held, but I don't know when the first time was.

If you are wondering where is Laconia, it is in the southern Peloponnese, where Sparta, Monemvasia and Mani penninsular are located.

The products on the show are mostly food, especially olive oil, but there are also some craftworks.

After sampling the things interested us, we bought a bottle of olive oil (2000ml) and a bottle of honey liqueur (500ml), 8 euros both. I have an idea that the products on this kind of shows are dearly priced, but in this case I found the most of the stuff quite reasonable, not more than at my local supermarket, or even cheaper.

I recommend you to drop by, if you happened to go to Syntagma station.

Here are some photos (I was holding a glass of liqueur for most of the time and that is why some of the photos are somehow slanting).

I was overwhelmed by the mass of people at the entrance.


It turned out that the crowd was for the talk; inside, it was busy but not impossibly.

This is one of honey stalls; there were several honey producers there.


This is pasta stall; there were two of them. 500g of pasta are priced between 2.50 and 3 euros.

Olive oil stalls are many. Good thing is that you can taste it before you buy. I picked up the one I personally liked the best (it depends on personal taste; you buy the one you like, OK?). This is the stall where we bought a bottle of oil.

It is produced by Mr. Theodoros Pantazis (pronouced Padazis) and comes from Geraki, Lakonia. The label says it was produced in February 2009, so it is fairly fresh. Alas, Hubby promised this bottle to Mom and I am not getting this ("So what was the purpose of choosing the one you liked the best?" You should ask).

Many of the olive oil producers were selling organic oils. The one we bought it wasn't, but at least they put it in a bio-perishable vinyle bag.

This stall was supposed to be selling organic olive oil, but there wasn't any and exhibiting honey based liqueur and honey instead. They were generously distributing liqueur and, although I don't normally drink, could not resist getting a cup.

It was actually quite good and we ended up buying a bottle. Their investment was rewarded! 1 bottle contains 500ml and costs 8 euros.

It is called Melitokraso (Μελιτόκρασο) and produced by Sotirali (Σωτήραλη) Bio. The pamphlet given to me prints the website, but it does not lead to anywhere at this moment.

We will go back to buy some olives from a stall that ran out of the products.

Stadium of Epidaurus

Another page on Epidaurus.

http://www.mesogeia.net/trip/epidauros/stadion_en.html



Actually I did not go down to see the stadium well and I deeply regret it. It is really difficult compromise my interest and my hubby's and I often run out of time and patience. There is no perfect world...

New Entry: Sanctuary of Epidaurus

Phew! It has been some time since I posted the last time.

I have been busy writing other things, and did not have time to update the English edition of Gate to Greece.

But, yesterday, finally, I uploaded the Top page of the Sanctuary of Epidauros in Argoris, Peloponnese.

Sanctuary of Epidaurus

http://www.mesogeia.net/trip/epidauros/epidauros_en.html



I am leaving for Greece very soon for New Year vacation. I might able to witness the unrest in Athens, but the main pourpose will be choosing and buying the furniture and electronic appliances for the new flat in Piraeus.

Have a nice weekend everyone, and very merry Christmas and happy New Year if I don't have a chance to publish a new post until then.

Cheers!

New Upload: Lion Gate and Grave Circle A (Mycenae)

I uploaded two pages this week, both about Mycenae Site.

1) Lion Gate (Mycenae)



This probably the most iconic monument of Mycenae and it really is pretty imposing.


2) Grave Circle A (Mycenae)



This one is not as famous as the Lion Gate, but the golden mask known as Agamemnon's mask, found here by Heinrich Schliemann, is probably as familiar as the Lion Gate.

For more photos and information, please go to the Gate to Greece website.


When we visited Mycenae at the beginning of September, it was not very busy and I did not see any of my compatriots (I am Japanese). Apart from Greeks, I saw many Italians, who tended not to be in tour group, maybe because they come to Peloponnese with own car by ferry. I started to see also Russians and other East Europeans, but not many yet, even though beaches are full of them.

New Upload: Mycenae Site

I started to write pages on Mycenae archaeological site.

Mycenae

Mycenae: Treasury of Atreus (Tomb of Agamemnon)

To tell you the truth, we were very tired when we arrived at Mycenae site, after a long stroll at Akrokorinthos, and I could not explore the site as much as I wanted to. I did my best, though.

More to follow.

Return

I have returned to England already for 4 days, but I am still overwhelmed by the amount of data and photos in my possession. I am in dismay.



This is a view of Toló beach from the acropolis of ancient Asini. Isn't it gorgeous?