21st September - Mani

 We woke early and set out to climb up to the upper town on Monemvasia which is a ruin. We saw the sun rise as we climbed the many stairs up to the Hagia Sophia, modelled on the one in the then Constantinople, which we have seen in modern day Istanbul.

Lower Monemvasia

Hagia Sophia
We departed for Gytheion the largest and one of the most beautiful cities in the area of Mani. We had a walk on the dock of the city and stopped for a coffee in a harbour side cafe. We also passed by the isle of Kranai where Paris and beautiful Helen spent their first night before sailing for Troy.


Posters inside the cafe
Then we visited the stunning Diros Caves. It was extremely beautiful and exquisite and one of the most extensive cave systems we have been is so far. We travelled by boat to do a 5000 meter boat trip in the subterranean caves lasting 30 minutes and also a 10 minute walk at the end. I would have to agree with the brochure and say it is one of the most beautiful lake caves in the world! The crystal-studded stalactites and stalagmites are spectacular in shades of rose, green, amber, black, blood red, and purple. I couldn’t stop taking photos.







Outside the caves

We left the caves and set off for a swim at our lunch spot at Gerolimenas beach. The water was very warm and it was very refreshing and we had a lovely seafood lunch overlooking the water.
So comfortable!



After lunch we visited the settlement of Vathia, the most photographed traditional settlement of the Peloponnese due to its tower settlements. Each one is like its own little castle.



Last stop for the day was  Cape Tainaron (Cavo Matapan) located in the middle leg of the Peloponnese peninsula where we visited the small temple of Poseidon, which also functioned as a necromancy once. The cave inside the temple is said to link Down with the Upper World.





After our visit to the Under world we headed to Areopolis, and our hotel for the night. In the evening we had a traditional Mani dinner at a local tavern with our group and the other tour group we did the wine tasting with the other day.



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