Strength, Serenity, and Wisdom: Rumblings of Zeus (Greek Vacation Adventure Journal, Day 13)

Another day looking at awesome OLD stuff!!
So today, we are going to the ancient city of Messene, then having lunch in Nemea, then the ancient city of Nemea, then dinner and staying in Nafplio.

We had a pretty good breakfast but the hotel in Pylos was REALLY creepy, especially the breakfast room. So we got the hell outta dodge and went to our next adventure as soon as possible. I didn't even snap a picture. byeeeeeeeeee.

So. Messene.
My research notes-
Ancient Messene contains the ruins of the large classical city-state of Messene refounded by Epaminondas in 369 BC, after the battle of Leuctra and the first Theban invasion of the Peloponnese. It is one of the largest and best preserved archaeological sites in Greece (TRUTH!). The wall is dated to the 3rd century B.C. and is one of the most important achievements of the ancient military architecture.

Whatever all that means.

But this place was very very very cool, and there were hardly any people there as we explored the city.

And then we walked down this path and came around some trees and saw this view!

Stunningly beautiful.

I THINK Messene was the place that was still actively being excavated. Chris thought it was totally cool and snapped some pictures of the REAL LIVE archeologists, but I can't seem to find any of those pictures.

So then we headed to Nemea, and had lunch at a place called The Rooster, where I had salad WITH LETTUCE IN IT....WHAT?, and eggplant. Chris wandered off to find some antacids and a very nice greek lady in a store gave him some of her personal medicine from her purse, because they didn't carry any at their store. I love the greeks.

Ancient Nemea
My research notes -
This is the ancient site dedicated to the games that were held in the honor of Zeus, whose 4th century BC temple still has three remaining columns and several more on the way to being reconstructed. Its a famous greek myth that this is the home of the Nemean Lion which was killed by Heracles. Now the area is famous for its wines.
(one of which was called Lion's Blood.)

There's Chris! He climbed to the very top.

Photo credit: Chris

There's Julia and I. The tiny people.

Nemea Museum and then the Temple of Zeus next door.

At the Temple of Zeus, there were no people except for a nice worker lady reading a book. And then it started to sprinkle and there was thunder. I swear Zeus was talking to us. Hey, how ya doin! Look at my massive pillars!

Photo credit: Chris

Chris said "Pose with that pillar!", and then he took a picture of the other pillar.....? 🤦

Greek Ants

Photo credit: Julia

Then we headed to Nafplio. I was excited because we stayed two nights in Nafplio. Living out of our tiny carry-ons, its nice to spread out for a couple days.