Port 2: Olympia, Greece

Excursions on the ships vary in price. They typically offer around 10 different options, but all include a bus. I am not a fan of travelling in a herd. I'd much rather pay a little more and do what I want, how I want, with whom I want. This is what a private tour offers. I booked through PK Travel (PK Travel [pktravel_greece@hotmail.com]) in Athens--450 Euros for a 4-5 hour tour, 12 people, and a private mini bus. I had actually been communicating with them regarding our tour in Athens, when Potoula asked if I had a tour set up in Olympia. Totally awesome! He was wonderful. He took care of everything--tour bus, tour guide, etc. We just had to show up. Show up as in, walk off the ship. They picked us up right outside the ship. Who could ask for more? Naiobi was our English speaking guide.The Ancient Olympic site was approximately a 30 minute bus ride from our port. During the drive, Naiobi introduced us to the area, pointing out Olive trees, and giving us an introduction to the Ancient Olympics. She was full of information and obviously passionate about Ancient Greek history and the Olympics. Naiobi emphasized the purpose of the Olympics being a time of peace and of religious importance.

Like many other countries in Europe, Germany included, Gypsies have made their way over the borders. We were greeted by small, unkempt children approaching the minibus, rubbing their tummies. It was heartbreaking. They wanted money, food or whatever we could offer. Naiobi shared that the government offers financial support as well as education, etc., but most often Gypsies do not accept the Government handout. For a brief moment, it felt as though we were in a third world country. Women were washing their clothes in a bucket of water, laundry lined a bush, it was startling and very unexpected.

These poor babies were hungry.

Our tour guide.

Check this out--the clothing on the statues were made by these molds!! Crazy to think they had something as refined as molds way back then.

Not ancient, but pretty darn cute. Claire and Mya were tickled to find so many wild flowers along the way.

Taking a break after our trek through the museum. The pillars behind them were dug up from the grounds.

The girls were more into bugs and critters than the amazing history that layed before them.

Not the greatest picture, but this is the spot where they light the Olympic torch at the beginning of every Olympics. Pretty amazing!

Ready, set.....GO! Let the race begin!

Go, Claire, GO!!!

The two crazy people in the front are our friends, the McGuire's, who were stationed with us in Korea but moved to England. His wife is a teacher who worked with me. It was a mere coincidence that they were on our cruise.

Chris and Mya finishing their Olympic run at the ancient Stadium.

Isn't she precious??!

Being we are a house full of girls and a very conservative Father, the girls were mesmerized by the plentiful "man parts" or "privates" as Claire called them, in the museum.