July 08, 2006. The Kastro of MYSTRAS, perched on the hill top of the Taygetos Range.

Mystras was founded by the Franks in 1249 and soon passed to the Byzantines.

Seen here is the Church of the Pantanassa.

We enter through the main gate into the medieval fortress.

Houses, Churches, mansions and palaces cover the hill.

The Ayios Dimitrios (Metropolis), built around 1291 and at that the oldest Church in Mystras.

It has some important wall-paintings...

...as can be seen here.

Most paintings date back to the end of 13th and early 14th Century.

The Ayioi Theodoroi Church, which sits opposite the Hodigitria Church.

Rear view of the Ayioi Theodoroi Church.

The Church of Hodigitria (Aphentiko).

Entrance to the well preserved Church.

The interior of the Hodigitria Church.

Another angle of the same church.

View of the Despots' Palace below.

The Monemvasia Gate linking the lower town with the upper town.

Still another few steps left to the top.

The reconstructed Despots'Palace.

The Church of Ayia Sophia.

The wall-paintings in this Church include ...

... an impressive monumental representation ...

...of Christ in the apse.

Gate to the Kastro.

The upper entrance above the church of Agia Sofia.

Aerial picture from the castle onto the houses, palaces and churches below.

We made it to the summit and enjoy the amazing view of the Taygetos Range.

The Kastro is flanked by sheer ravines to the south and west.

On our descent we pass another Church.

The Pantanassa Church, dating to 1428 and is the last church built in Mystras.

It is the most impressive and elegant Church and can be seen from far away.

The frescos in this church have to be seen and include the Descent into Hell ...

...and the Nativity,the Annunciation as well as...

... the Entry into Jerusalem.

Tucked away in the south corner of the lower town against a rock face,...

... sits the 14th century monastery of Peribleptos.

The fresco's are definitely one of the nicer ones and it is almost a shame that it can be easily missed.

The interior frescos represent vivid representation of the Nativity, Baptism and Transfiguration to name a few.

The Church of Peribleptos is surrounded by high walls...

... some can be seen here.

Our our way back we encounter another nameless Church.

After 3 hours of exploration we say good-bye.

At the Castle View Campground (20 Euro/night) we meet up with Richard from England on his Armstrong. We end up exchanging stories over some beer.

July 09, 2006. The 66km road and scenery from Mystras to Kalamata is simply spectacular.

Good pavement and switchbacks make it a fun ride.

A perfect road for motorcycles.

July 10, 2006. ANCIENT OLYMPIA. The Philippeison.

The remaining pillars of the Temple of Hera.

This temple was constructed in the 7th Century BC and is one of the oldest in Greece.

Remains of the ancient fountain (Nymphaion).

The Hera's Altar. Here the lightening of the Olympic flame takes place.

The Stadium Entrance with its vaulted ceiling.

Here seen is the total length of the Olympia Stadium.

The Temple of Zeus, a 5th Century BC Doric Temple.

The tumbled sections of the Temple of Zeus columns.

Huge bases give indication of the size of the temple.

The Leonidation, which used to accommodate distinguished guests.

In the center of the Leonidaion is a clover shaped water garden.

This floor mosaic is in excellent condition.

The outer columns of the Palaestra, a training centre for wrestlers, boxers and long-jumpers.

Since we always try to arrive before the tourist buses. Here is an example of the masses as we leave.

The MUESEUM OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES is located in the centre of the town.

Mike points out the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada.

Spyros Louis (1872 - 1940), winner of the Marathon race of the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. (2 hours, 58 minutes and 20 seconds).

A metal presented in the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin. Note the special Hitler swastika.

The torch used in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games.

Later that day we explore the Olympia Archaeological Museum. This bronze figure is displayed on many postcards. Its actual size is approx. 20m in height.

Statue of Zeus and Ganymede in terracotta.

Statue of Hermes by Praxiteles.

Amazing detail on this statue.

The relief statuary remains of the Temple of Zeus.

The east pediment tells of the chariot race between local king Oinomaos and Pelops.

July 11, 2006. On the north western side of the Peloponnese lies the Chlemoutsi Castle.

A Frankish castle, also known as Castel Tornesi ...

... was built between 1219 and 1223.

We pass over the newly built Rio to Andirrio bridge, which spans impressively across the Gulf of Corinth.

A beautiful bay on the Gulf of Cornith.

Here are Els and Wim from Belgium at the Delphi Campground. We met them actually in Mycenae and have been stalking each other for the past week.

July 12, 2006. ANCIENT DELPHI. We first visit the Museum. Greece has the best museums. Seen here is the colossal Naxian Sphinx (560BC) and stands 2.3m high.

The "twins" of Argos.

A well preserved statue with great detail. Its preservation is thanks to olive oil which used to be applied to the statues in its time.

The most famous statue. A life-size bronze statue of a Charioteer.

After a visit to the Museum we explore ANCIENT DELPHI. Walking up the Sacred Way we come upon the reconstructed Athenian Treasury.

Help we can't remember what this was.

Walking up the Sacred Way beside the Temple of Apollo.

The famous Temple of Apollo.

The column in the foreground once supported a statue of Prusias, King of Bithynia.

The Temple of Apollo, originally built in 6th Century BC, but the remains visible today are from the 4th Century BC.

The Sanctuary of Apollo is nestled high in the mountains.

Seen here is the complete foundation and the remaining columns of the Temple of Apollo.

The Theatre, was constructed 2500 years ago and could seat 5000 people.

At the top of the Sanctuary is the Stadium. One of the best preserved and is 200m long and held up to 7000 spectators.

View of the Gymnasium.

The Marmaria Precinct or "Marble Quarry".

Mike stands in front of the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia.

Camping at Delphi Campground (18.90Euro/night) ...

...with a spectacular view.

July 14, 2006. METEORA, natural sandstone towers.

Several Monasteries were built, perched on the tip of these sandstone towers. Seen here is the ROUSANOU Monastery.

The monasteries can be seen from several locations.

The Rousanou Monastery viewed from the road below ...

...is the most spectacular located of all monasteries.

Here is a perspective of its location to its surroundings.

It can only be accessed over a narrow bridge.

The Ascent Tower of the Rousanou Monastery.

The original entrance door.

The new entrance door.

The gardens are beautifully cared for.

The AGIOS NIKOLAOS Monastery.

Here seen at sunset.

The VARLAAM Monastery. Founded in 1518.

The Varlaam Monastery seen from the road below...

... and from a distance above.

Behind the Varlaam Monastery towers the Megalo Meteoro.

In the 1920's stairs were cut into the rock to make the monasteries more accessible.

Prior to stairs, people and goods were winched up the Ascent Tower. Very Scary.

The entrance into the Varlaam Monastery.

The Katholikon Church.

The Church is adorned with frescoes, including one of Theofanis and Nektarios the founders.

Pictures are not allowed to be taken inside the churches. But they all have incredible frescos.

The all important wine cellar.

Tools required on a day to day basis.

Inside the Ascent Tower. Mike operating the winch that used to carry up people and goods.

Example of the tiles used and workmanship.

Looking out from the Varlaam Monastery Ascent Tower to the Megalo Meteoro (in the background).

The MEGALO METEORO, also known as the Great Meteoron...

...was the first and at 623m is the highest monastery in Meteora.

Inside the Monk Kitchen.

Ancient wooden doors and pottery used until not too long ago.

Once inside the walled monastery it even has a courtyard.

The Church again has excellent frescos.

The bell tower and fountain in the courtyard.

Inside the wine cellar.

Here the monks used to store the wine.

Tools for wine preparation.

And of course the grapes and wine containers.

A small room contains the skulls of deceased resident monks, ...

... which is a bit spooky.

The AGIA TRIADA.

The AGIOS STEFANOS.

Remains of a stone wall in a cave high above in the limestone towers.

The sandstone towers give this area a special magic.

Camping at the Cave Campground for 15 Euro/night.

Our usual facilities at the campground.

Werner (German) and Luisa (Spanish) from Ireland, on their BMW Airhead set up camp beside us at Meteora.

July 15, 2006. In another few more years this truck will not be visible.

The 110kms from Meteora to Ioannina are super twisty, ...