Watching a on-board seminar the day before about upcoming ports, Nafplion looked like a right gem. We had already booked an excursion which would keep us entertained for 4.5 hours, the rest was up to us. We arrived about 6am nearby Nafplion, there is no port so today we would be using tenders again. No need to set the alarm, the sound of the anchor dropping was guaranteed to wake us. As we were on an excursion, we received priority for the boats. Our trip firstly took us to the Corinth Canal. This required a one hour drive through countrysides filled with orange and olive trees and passing a few historic sights along the way. We eventually were on a motorway as we approached Corinth.
Firstly we stopped at the main road bridge that crosses the canal, for a look from above. Then, back on the bus, for a ride to one end of the canal, where we boarded a boat for a ride through. A large two story boat that held well over 100 people, had seating for everyone. Myself and one other gentleman made a beeline for the bow where we stayed for the journey. We were joined by many others but I held my spot and got a great view both ways. There are many places where there have been landslips over the years, these look like passing bays for boats but they aren't. Also at each end, there are bridges for cars and pedestrians, which sink under water to let boats through, rather than rising or swinging sideways which is the usual arrangement. There are no locks, the canal is open right through, we could notice a visible movement of water in one direction but had a smooth ride through.
Next we were back on the bus, to return to the old town within Nafplion. Here we had a brief walking tour learning some history, a bit about Greek culture, and some particular landmarks and old buildings pointed out. The town has a real Venetian influence in the style of buildings, quite different from other Greek places we've visited so far.
In particular, there is a fortress up on the mountain above the town known as Palamidi (see it in the photo above on the right). Three castles all linked, it looks over the town and caught my curiosity. I wanted to walk up, Helen decided to go her own way for a wander around the town. The exact number of steps up the mountainside is unknown to me as I right this. The materials provided on board the ship state 850 steps, the materials given to me at Palamidi say "legend says it had 999 steps", either way it's a lot! It was hard work, and very hot with little shelter, but the climb was worth it. The views across the town, and the bay, were fantastic, and the fortress itself interesting to explore.
/Most of the steps have no hand rails, and there are some places in the castle that have sheer drops of many metres with no warning. I had to keep my wits about me as I walked around. Actually there were many more steps to climb inside the fortress as it is sprawled along the top of the mountain, not just in one place.
Finally it was time to descend back to town, but before departing much quicker and easier but the steps are large and by the bottom my legs were feeling a bit jelly like. Back in town, I had a well earned drink and a locally made gelato. Then I wandered back through town, through a few different streets, finally having to catch the tender boat back. The sea was quite choppy and with some swell, the tender boat was rocking around quite a bit. My ride wasn't too bad but Helen's boat was much worse than mine having to stop a few times to let the boat settle.
Our ship had spun 180 degrees since morning so our cabin balcony now had a nice view of Nafplion, a nice way to end the day.
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