Cruise Update 4: Olympia - Birthplace of the Modern Day Olympic Games

While on a cruise, be it ocean or river, making friends doesn’t take very long. Sometimes at the first meal, or on the coach or the tender, or in a cue or buffet line, it is normal to greet or exchange pleasantries with the persons or couple near you.

These chance meetings have been the start of lasting friendships on other cruises. And it was the same on the Viking Star since we arrived.

While we enjoy each other’s company, getting to know other passengers has become a major benefit of cruising. It helps the time go by quickly and improves the quality of our lives.

Our visit to Olympia allowed us to enjoy a major Greek attraction in the company of interesting cruisers from various countries and backgrounds.

Olympia is located in the Peloponnese peninsula and is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. It is also most famously as the birthplace and permanent home of the Olympic Games. 

The first recorded Olympic Games took place here in 776 BCE in honor of Zeus. They were held every four years, creating a "sacred truce" that halted conflicts across the Greek world. 

Upon arrival in the port of Katakalon, we went by coach to Olympia. Unlike our drive through the rugged and arrid Santorini yesterday, the countryside is resplendent in lush plantations and rich agricultural lands.

Most visible in the peninsula are endless olive plantations that provided high quality olives for extra virgin olive oil as well as other varieties. The olives here are known as black gold.

The agricultural lands produce virtually every vegetable that fill the marketplace.

As much as the fertile lands add to the attraction of the peninsula, the major attraction for the millions of visitors are the ruins of the first Olympic Park, established in 776 BC. These include the gym for training for penthatlon, gym for boxing and wrestling (Palaistra), Temple dedicated to Hera, wife of Zeus, the Olympic Stadium, ruins of the Temple of Zeus, Mound of Pelops for the worship of Pelops the Temple of Zeus.

In addition to the fascinating ruins and lush environment, some passengers enjoyed the archeological, museum and the streets packed with gift shops, boutiques and restaurants.

For a few minutes, I caused a bit of panic for Cintra and my party when I was I was literally "lost among the ruins" when I accidentally separated from my group. i found myself alone and my group was nowhere in sight. They almost sent out a search party. Fortunately, I could still barely hear the guide on my audio box and determined from her descriptions where they might be. I walked in that direction and quietly blended in the crowd.

Our next excursion tomorrow will be colorful island of Corfu. Please join us.

Moses and Cintra

PS. Yesterday, Hera was a goddess; today she is a rock star.

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