Epidavros Visit

 One place everyone has to visit, after they see the island, is the 2,500 year old theatre at Epidavros. It's only an hour away.  

Famous for its incredible acoustics.  You'll see a tourist in the middle of the arena drop a coin and look up at a friend right up the top of the seats to see if they've heard it hit the ground. 

Not likely with all the people there and the constant chattering and murmuring of tour guides. 

Performances of Greek dramas and comedies still take place during the Epidavros festival in July and August. 

The ticket is 20 euros which seems a standard price for these ancient sites.  I only pay 10 euros because I'm an EU pensioner. 

I had to show my Greek ID card and was a bit worried when I couldn't find it in my bag.  Fortunately they accepted my driver's licence. 

I've been to Epidavros many times but not in the last 10 years. We usually sit and have a coffee while friends and family do the touristy stuff. I enjoyed seeing it again. 

K was supposed to park, go and buy a coffee from the canteen and wait for us. The canteen was closed and he had to wait, very patiently I might add, for 2 hours while we wandered around. No coffee, no water, no company. Not easy for him. 

Caroline had been there before and was quite happy to see the sights again 

Sitting on ancient stones watching the parade of tourists.  And parade they did. Tour groups from all over the world dressed in the most intriguing clothing and footwear. We observed the passage of gesturing, photographing, clapping, posing humankind. 

I could have sat their for hours watching them all. 

Many climbed up those dozens of marble steps to the top of the theatre. The younger fitter ones leaping up without fear. 

I was fearful just looking up at the steep stairway. I have climbed up there. I've even been to a performance here. But not for many years. 

One thing I've never done is wander round the rest of the ancient site. It's known as the Aesclepion, a healing centre and a sanctuary. It's a large area with a stadium, temples, large dining areas, hostels for those hoping for a cure. 

It was fascinating to walk around with Julia and Caroline and listen and learn from their comments. Julia especially, having worked all her life in the health field, had some interesting insights. 

It was quite an outing and we were more than ready for food and wine, K especially. 

We drove to the outskirts of a small village, Adami, and found a taverna which has been a favourite of ours for many years. 

It's run by a family, daughters taking orders and serving, Mama in the kitchen, one of the men manning the grill. A granddaughter brought our drinks and basket of bread. 

It was  Sunday and it was buzzing with Greek family groups, from Pappou and Yiayia to babies in  pushchairs. 

K and I did the ordering. 

K kept an eye on what others around us were eating and got us a good traditional meal. 

The feta is from village goats, wine from local vines, greens from the fields, or weekly market. 

Greens. Radicchio I think.  Served with olive oil and lemon juice. 

Lamb chops, cheese pie, grilled rissoles, and tzatziki. And all a lot tastier and cheaper than Poros tourist tavernas. 

Definitely K approved. 

After the main course came the sweets. On the house. 

Syrupy orange cake and this dessert called mustolevria.  It's made after the grape harvest with grape juice and is pleasantly refreshing.