Katakolon, Wonder of the World Number Five

Thursday, April 28, 2011

                              

It’s really a treat to wake up in another interesting port each morning, or as our guide in Bodrum said “every each” morning.  It was pitch black the first time we peeked out but soon we could see 4 other cruise ships trying to get into the same small harbor we wanted in Katakolon, Greece.  This is a small port which is very busy because it is the best location for tourists traveling to the ruins of Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games.  Our Captain told us on the PA last night that the harbor would be crowded and that it was very close to the little town with its numerous shops, bars and restaurants.  He promised that he would get a good “parking place” and that he might push our bow into a local taverna,  He has a marvelous sense of humor and seems to enjoy his little talks on the public address system.

                                

According to our guide, the sun shines here 333 days a year…what are the odds that we would have rain?  In the long run it may have been a blessing as when the sun finally peeked through, it turned hot and humid very quickly. 

                                

We took a tour to Olympia, the little town at the site of the Ancient Olympic games.  We had a very nice guided hour-long tour of the museum adjacent to the Olympic site.  The museum contained all the movable art works which were discovered when the site was uncovered, beginning in the early 1900’s.  It was one of the best organized displays we’ve seen and had everything labeled in three languages, including English.  The guide was very complete in his descriptions, but kept us moving at just the right pace.  The museum was particularly easy to understand because all the artifacts were from the Olympic site and all were pertinent to each other.

        

  

Then we set off on a 1-1/2 hour tour of the Olympic grounds.  The site included the ruins of several dozen buildings, two temples, a gymnasium, a Church, a Priest’s house, the artist’s studio, dozens of statue bases, alters, a bath, a surrounding wall and, of course, the Stadium.  The first games were part of a ritual in honor of Zeus and involved only local athletes.  These started about 1000 BC. and by 776 BC they had been expanded to include most of the Greek city-states.  They were still held in honor of Zeus, but were also a ritual for peace and required that those city-states which were fighting must cease hostilities during the two week period of the games.  In 393 BC the Olympic structures were demolished by order of Theodosius II (the father of Alexander the Great) because the structures honored Zeus and other Greek gods.  So the games were discontinued until 1896 when they were reinstated but just for Greece.  They did not become truly international until 1936 when the games were held in Berlin.

  

There were many interesting locations on the site, but the remains of the massive Temple of Zeus were the most impressive.  It’s sheer base size was overwhelming and the height could be realized by that of the single remaining upright pillar.  We were able to touch the top of another of its pillars because it was lying on the ground.  Another place of note was the location where the Olympic Flame is lit every four years and then carried to the site of that year’s Olympic Games.  

          

The entire site was crowded with young and old, locals and tourists.  There was an energy that you could literally feel.  Every photo op included strangers, but that made it even more fun.  Once we got to the stadium it was interesting to watch as most visitors pretended to run an event, pose at the starting line, set up small races and even crown the victor with a wreath of olive branches – the same “trophy” that would have been awarded the Olympians at the first games. 

  

        

All of the events were done in the nude because they were very proud of their bodies.  Thank goodness today’s “re-enactors” left that part to the imagination.  Women were not allowed in the stadium, even as spectators. However, there would have been a statue of one woman at the stadium, the goddess of Agriculture because the games were in honor of a good harvest.  40,000 spectators sat on the grass slopes surrounding the 192 meter stadium. 

The bus ride back to the harbor was more enjoyable because the rain had let up and we  had a better view of the countryside.  The redbuds were in bloom and the deep red poppies were beginning to dot the fields.  A new crop of corn had been planted and it stood about 5 inches high and did not look very promising.  It looked like they were expecting a bumper crop of watermelons.  The homes were grouped in small villages and our guide pointed out all the businesses that had closed because of the economy.  He stated that “they were Greek, though and they would survive, it just might take a few extra shots of ouzo.”

  

Once back at the harbor we got out of our wet clothes and returned to explore the little town of Katakolon.  We strolled on the waterfront, visited with friends, made a few new ones and just enjoyed the afternoon. 

  

The ship sailed at 4:30 and we have a sea day tomorrow.  The program has been distributed with the schedule for the entire “Royal affair” and you can be sure that we will attend all functions.   Rumor is that we are going to be given back one of the hours that they have taken from us. We really missed that hour and will be happy to get it back…that will make the Royal wedding an hour longer.