Slept all night and feeling rested. Tourists buffet for breakfast then off to Ancient Olympia. We are early at 9 am but there are already a dozen buses. Midi does a great job of walking us around and away from the crowds from several cruise ships. Love this spot. So interesting with the gymnasium and sanctuary. The stadium was fun to take pictures of us racing. A young man from Wisconsin won the race and Midi presented him with a crown of olive branch. Grant and Rick walked the length of the stadium and back. I did not cause I have before and it’s HOT! The treasures in the museum are a delight and Hermès spectacular. The archeological dig taking place when we were here in 2015 was complete. It extended the entrance. There had been a recent find of what they think is Homer’s oldest copy of The Odessey . Midi did not know about and we could not see a current copy but she was not surprised cause artist would come to
Promote their work outside of the games since they had such a large audience. Next stop was a shop with a table full of local wine, olive oils, olives, truffle olive oils, seasame candy, other local treats. So fun to taste it all. Midi said that her favorite olives are the ones cured on salt called wrinkled olives. I bought some of those, , local olive oil with farm name on it, local saffron. Midi had Grant take a picture holding a shield. On to lunch which was a buffet at local Hotel. Had local specialties but nothing spectacular. Watermelon is in season so we are having at every meal. Drive on north by Ionian Sea to suspension bridge at Patra. 15 euro for a car to drive. Coffee break at small town on coast of gulf of Corinth. Midi had told us to pack swim suits for a quick swim. So fun and refreshing except rocks hurt your feet. Grant had his cardio swimming to bouy and back. Water is crystal clear. Spectacular coastal drive up to Delphi. As you leave the coast for the mountain we drive through the second largest Olive production. I was pretty motion sick on arrival at Delphi. I sat in front seat of the bus but it didn’t help. Delphi is Gorgeous with beautiful views down the valley to Gulf of Corinth or south to the mountains. After dinner walked to town and finished the light of The sky on a perfect outdoor
Patio/bar. We tried local beer ( Delphi) and Ouzo. Walked around some
More and went into a souvenir shop . Owner kept being persistent and Grant is proud owner of an Athena statue and Delphi replica. I bought a pretty glass bowl with Greek symbols to hold my ring. Up hill walk back to hotel was able to purchase Oregano potato chips and water for tomorrow along the way. Absolutely delightful day and evening. I could return to Olympia again and again!