As the hotel Wi-Fi in Nafplion has decided I’m unwelcome, I’m typing up the account of the day in a word document and hoping I can simply cut and paste to the blog in Corinth - so here goes!

The hotel outside of Epidaurus’ theater suited us well – Peter took a picture of our humble abode:

 (Only kidding – this was behind the hotel but he couldn’t resist)

Due to pouring rain in the early morning the guides presented us with Plan B for today – we would forego biking to Nafplion (36K) in the thought that wet roads and the threat of storms were a safety issue:

The skies of Plan B

  

It was a lot of extra work for them, but bikes were roof-mounted and bags were stowed, and the extra van from last night’s dinner shuttle was kept to take us via the bike route to our next destination:

 Bikes at rest – and bikers too

We stopped first to get a close-up view of pistachio trees:

Peter and group in pistachio orchard

Pistachios “on the hoof” (apologies for mixed metaphors)

Guide Manoulis doing an imitation of ancient Greek shelling pistachios with stone tools

Our next adventure stop was at a marble processing plant – an amazing sight to see huge blocks being cut on the way to being finished product:

Powerful circular saw blade cutting block into slices

The yard of finished goods and work in progress

At noon the van delivered us to the lovely Ippoliti Hotel in the heart of Nafplion.  Our “alternative exercise” was to be guided by Patricia up the 900+ steps that lead to the Fort of Palamidi, finished in 1714 but the Venetians to defend the port town.  Here are the views:

The entering ascent

Amazing vistas on the way up

More amazing vistas on the way up and up and up

Nearing the summit overlooking Nafplion – Fort Bourtzi in the distant harbor

Topping out the 900+ steps – in the fort

The construction and condition were fascinating – each space and level offered a new experience:

Interior of fort

We spent the better part of an hour wandering about the many layers and levels of the fort, and to save our creaky knees, we chose to take the 3k hike on the road route to return to our hotel:

The long and gentler descent

The payoff was entering the old city center with its charming pedestrian walks and wonderful square:

Nafplion charm...

The real payoff however was indulging in the world’s greatest (in my humble opinion) lunch – the ultimate dessert food – Loukounades!  They are balls of light, airy pastry dough deep-fried so that the outside is delicately crispy while the innards are light and moist.  UNREAL.  I had mine with a delicious chocolate sauce and almond topping; Peter had his with honey, hazelnuts AND goat cheese ice cream.  Not kidding about the ice cream.  It was completely awesome!!!:

Loukounades – not just for dessert anymore!

The rest of the afternoon was spent at R & R – Peter did a lovely sketch:

Hillside neighborhood church

We had a convivial gathering at 6:30 PM to taste two local wines, then went off to dinner with our friends Bill and Nancy, and were delighted with our choices and the ambience:

Happy bikers – eating tomorrow’s fuel!

This may get posted later than normal but stayed tuned – more ancient ruins and biking adventures await us!