Nafplion, Tuesday

Yesterday, I ventured away from the group. There is a venetian fortress overlooking the town I just had to see. Legend has it there are 1,000 steps to the top, I didn't bother keeping track. However, I was happy to have had an early start. Later, when I was descending the hill, I encountered many tourists making the trek upward in the full sunlight. I had been protected by shade for climbing much, much earlier.

There was so much to see in the fortress. Many rooms, many steps, many nooks and crannies. Spending the entire day up there cannot even ensure seeing all of it!

There were many steps. In addition to the steps along the bottom, there were even more going along the top of the wall that were accessible to the tourists. Curiosity overcame my fear of heights, and I took the stairs less traveled... at least as far as I was able.

The view of the beach and the neglected resort looking over it was phenomenal! Many photographs were taken of the island, the sea, the passing ships... all in the same frame, yet the day was so clear I could almost make out the conversations on the beach several meters below.

An observation: For the most part, I've been content to stay with the group, there are many sites to see and I'm appreciative of the work to guarantee I see so many things that I would likely have missed on a trek of my own. However, I'm noticing that the adventures are more rich and fulfilling whenever I wander off on my own. Perhaps it is the freedom to interact with people, both locals and fellow travelers, without the rigid time constraints the group must adhere to.

I'm somewhat sad I missed the ruins of Mystras, but the architectural wonder of the fortress simply couldn't be missed.

Food in Nafplion has been largely unimpressive. Not to say it wasn't filling, or even good, there just hasn't been anything to stand out as exceptional. The lone exception is the crawfish, which was outstanding! I've enjoyed crawfish back home after a friend threw a crawfish boil party shortly after returning from a trip to Louisiana, so I knew I had something to look forward to... and the crawfish tails were even better than I remembered! Pure heaven! However, I imagine some people find the entire critter delectable, I am not one of them.

Now, on the road to Delphi, I am being acquainted with our tardy traveler, who's passport went through some mysterious disappearance... perhaps some adventure of its own. We've hit it off quite well... I enjoy her wit and sense of humor. She's a theatre major and free-spirited, which is refreshing! Until now, I've been afraid most of the group is a bit closed off, and not willing to make the most of the trip, which I fully intend to do. We shall see what Delphi has to offer!

Flickr: Nafplion | Greece