We seem to begin each day with another awesome breakfast, today was no different just new choices. Justin and Cameron met a guy after their workout that had been staying in Olympia for a few days. He helped us with our Greek (we have none) for our breakfast lady and asked us some ideas for touring. Unfortunately we had only done the Ancient Olympic Ruins so no real help other than the beautiful sunset dinner choice of Garden Taverna. Jumping into ‘LEON’ (we have named our vehicle) we had a choice, take the windy scenic mountain road to Tripoli or the typical freeway, we chose the freeway as some are a little cramped in LEON and we didn’t want any sickies:)
A break in Tripoli on our way to Nafplio gave us the opportunity to walk through the town and take in some local cuisine. Did some shopping, bought nothing and ate lunch at the Klimataria Piteros, Jena can sure find some awesome places to sample the authentic regional cuisine. The grape trellis was some of the oldest I have seen and covered the restaurant from one end to the other creating a feeling of being in the old country relaxing in the shade after a days work. The Greek food is very good as we sample different dishes creating new tastes for our American pallets. Wild Boar, Rooster and a fresh salad in olive oil of raw peppers, onions, olives, tomatoes and topped with a block of Feta cheese. Not only is the food stupendous but also it has been so reasonably priced, cheaper than we could get back home.
Arriving in the romantic seaport town of Nafplio we work to find our lodging. Streets in Greece are more like single lane walkways so when you find yourself going down one in the wrong direction you have no choice but to continue the journey. The Greek people are so nice and encourage you to continue down the one lane road that is now full of tables and chairs as their restaurants spill out into the already narrow lanes. We find a space and technically cram LEON into it for the day. After checking into the Hotel Dias: Cameron, Justin and I walk to the Arvanitia Beach which is nestled in a cove directly below the Palamidi Fortress while Jena and Kellie go searching for Greek merchandise to somehow pack into our already full suitcases. Beaches have little sand and some very smooth round rocks, the sea is a little rough, not your typical leisure swim. We have now added the Argolic Gulf of the Aegean Sea off the east coast of the Peloponnese, Greece to our swim repertoire:)
Meeting up we all finished the town stroll on the port side, looking at all the different types of fish the catch and serve in the portside restaurants. Quite the variety but I think we have one selected for tonight’s dinner.
As the afternoon wore on we went to make a reservation at Pidalio Mezedopoleio, a Greek restaurant more than a stones throw from the town proper and our hotel. We chose 20:00, hoping to get our 999 steps up to the castle and back, famished and ready to refresh ourselves. The journey began with the usual banter of how fast some are going to climb and how others are going to ‘just do their best’. I was gauging my ability and time against the Incline (Manitou Springs, CO) but found this one not comparable. We were at sea level and the steps were uniform and countable at 999, knowing your destination helps.
Sauntering down the steps we ended up at our restaurant a little ahead of time, no worries they were very friendly and accommodating sitting us center table on the street. Another of the great Greek Taverna’s, Pidalio Mezedoleio did not disappoint. Always trying new things we ventured out to a Snapper, Catfish Pasta, Grilled Sardines and Jena has made it a goal to try the Tzarziki at each place for the variations.
