Greece 2014 Adventure: Day 4
Day four Wednesday
 
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We woke up bright and early with the sun promising a beautiful day
in the sun and sea. We went down stairs for scrumptious breakfast. While having
our freshly squeezed orange juice and delicious coffee, we meet a young couple
from England. It turned out he was originally from Zimbabwe and could still
speak his home language which is similar to Zulu, a language spoken in South
Africa. We giggled as we chatted in Zulu, him with his British accent. His
girlfriend who has the most gorgeous red hair I have ever seen, informed that
that she had worked in South Africa for a short while and knew a little
Afrikaans. So here we all were  on
holiday in Greece, from two different countries chatting in two languages
native to South Africa, who would have thought, this is why I love to travel
you just never know who you will meet.

 This morning we decided to walk down to our favorite
beach, Kalamia  for a few hours then we
needed to head off to Argostoli, the capital. The Body of Mount Ainos National
park had their office close to the Lagoon. Tomorrow I was off to climb Mt Ainos
and had no idea how to get there or where the starting point was.
This morning we decided to walk down to our favorite
beach, Kalamia  for a few hours then we
needed to head off to Argostoli, the capital. The Body of Mount Ainos National
park had their office close to the Lagoon. Tomorrow I was off to climb Mt Ainos
and had no idea how to get there or where the starting point was.

Kalamia Beach is spectacular, breathtaking and
well, a piece of paradise. We found a spot and decided that we were not going
to hire chairs and umbrellas opting to find a more secluded spot with some
shade. We found a spot up against the white cliffs. The rock is spectacular,
white and very fragmented.  Sea water had
over time erode away at its weak spots to form stunning tunnels, caves and
arches that took you into a magical world.
 
 

 








The contrasting dramatic sea blues of teal,
aquamarines, blue skies all competing against the white rocks and beeches left
you reeling in a visual symphony of complete awe and pleasure.
 


 

 
 
 
 
 





 
 



The water itself is completely see-through and you
are able to see your toes so clearly you would be forgiven for thinking you
were looking through glass. Tiny little fish swam around your feet with the odd
sand skipper sucking up sand and creating little and craters in his path.
 

Surround the small bay are mountains, very rocky
with scrubs making up the greenery. On the slopes colourful holiday studios lay
scattered offering a gorgeous contrast to the mountain colours.


This was one of the beeches that was never crowded
as it it a little off the main centre of Lassi’s hotels. We were in 7th
heaven.  


 We then went back to Niko Studio’s, showered and
changed. Our taxi had arrived to take us directly to the National park’s
officers in Argostoli. We arrived at the car park and had to take a short
journey through the forested pathway to the offices. If you don’t know what you
are looking for you may miss it as its is actually build in a mound that takes
you underground. Very novel and very cool in the very hot island days.  The staff were very friendly and helpful.
They showed us around and gave us many information pamphlets. I explained that
I needed to actually climb Ainos and from what point to be able to claim it as
one of Europe’s Ultras.
We then went back to Niko Studio’s, showered and
changed. Our taxi had arrived to take us directly to the National park’s
officers in Argostoli. We arrived at the car park and had to take a short
journey through the forested pathway to the offices. If you don’t know what you
are looking for you may miss it as its is actually build in a mound that takes
you underground. Very novel and very cool in the very hot island days.  The staff were very friendly and helpful.
They showed us around and gave us many information pamphlets. I explained that
I needed to actually climb Ainos and from what point to be able to claim it as
one of Europe’s Ultras.  They tried as best as they could to give directions in
their broken English. However we did land 10km’s off route, but that’s tomorrow’s
story!
They tried as best as they could to give directions in
their broken English. However we did land 10km’s off route, but that’s tomorrow’s
story!




ARGOSTOLI
The capital of 
Kefalonia is a very  a busy  stunning small tourist town with honking
traffic, resident communicating from balconies and a bustling harbor which is
one of the busiest in all of Greece. The population is around 14,000 people.
Arogostoli stands on the far end of a natural bay surrounded by beautiful
mountains and verdant forests.  Once
stunning Venetian buildings stood on the slopes and along the narrow streets before
they were sadly destroyed with the entire town of Agrostoli in the devastating
1953 earthquake along with many other  villages across the island. The town has since
been rebuilt but apparently no effort was made to try and maintain the
traditional architecture and the local color. This is just so sad. But none the
less I loved the town with all its hustle and bustle.



 




To the east of the town, at the end of the bay,
just beneath the imposing Castle of St. George which we were to visit on
Friday, sits the Koutavos Lagoon a large body of water which is the feeding
ground for the Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). It is now a nature
reserve, however in its past it was once an almost impassable swamp where
mosquitoes and malaria were once rife. Under the British governor of the
island, General Sir Charles James Napier, a wooden briged was constructed
across the lagoon in 1813 by Colonel Charles Philip de Bosset, he was a Swiss
engineer who was in the British army.
 

 





 Four
years later stone arches were added and, after some 26 years, the entire bridge
was rebuilt in stone. In continuous use until 2005, this narrow bridge is now
closed to traffic, currently undergoing renovation by the Greek Ministry of
Culture. Walking along the walk way that runs parallel to the lagoon, we came
across this stone bridge, known as the Drapano Bridge which is about 650 metres
long. We found it at the entrance of the capital. At the centre of the bridge
is a small pyramid which Charles de Bosset, the guy who built the bridge
dedicated to the British Empire.
Four
years later stone arches were added and, after some 26 years, the entire bridge
was rebuilt in stone. In continuous use until 2005, this narrow bridge is now
closed to traffic, currently undergoing renovation by the Greek Ministry of
Culture. Walking along the walk way that runs parallel to the lagoon, we came
across this stone bridge, known as the Drapano Bridge which is about 650 metres
long. We found it at the entrance of the capital. At the centre of the bridge
is a small pyramid which Charles de Bosset, the guy who built the bridge
dedicated to the British Empire. 
 


 
 

 We continued our walk along a beautiful paved
coastal road – promenade which was lined by palm trees and many colorful pebbles
from the sea and we came across a SPAR supermarket with the same branding as
our South African Spas, so we quickly went inside to buy some supplies (we had
walked with our backpacks!) and some cold drinks and ice cream, this walking
was hot work.
We continued our walk along a beautiful paved
coastal road – promenade which was lined by palm trees and many colorful pebbles
from the sea and we came across a SPAR supermarket with the same branding as
our South African Spas, so we quickly went inside to buy some supplies (we had
walked with our backpacks!) and some cold drinks and ice cream, this walking
was hot work.
The road then ends at a small ferry quay where
boats connect the two towns of Agrostoli and Lixouri,  every half an hour we are told. This is also
where many small fishing boats moor creating a bustle of colour with the
mountains offering a dramatic backdrop.
 



 









 The town’s central square, Plateia Valianou
(Vallianos Square) is large and has many restaurants, cafes and bars lining it
and it comes alive with many tourists soaking up the Greek hospitality and food
especially at night when the locals join in and things become very festive.
The town’s central square, Plateia Valianou
(Vallianos Square) is large and has many restaurants, cafes and bars lining it
and it comes alive with many tourists soaking up the Greek hospitality and food
especially at night when the locals join in and things become very festive.
 The town it built a bit of a slope so you have to walk upwards and
meander between the narrow streets and make your way to the top to connect with
the road to Lassi. We came across the gorgeous cobbled street known as the pedestrian Lithostroto Street (Cobbled
Street) which is actually the main street of the capital filled with all kinds
of shops.
The town it built a bit of a slope so you have to walk upwards and
meander between the narrow streets and make your way to the top to connect with
the road to Lassi. We came across the gorgeous cobbled street known as the pedestrian Lithostroto Street (Cobbled
Street) which is actually the main street of the capital filled with all kinds
of shops. 






 While walking down this street we came across a beautiful Catholic
church Saint Nicolous  Also along
here is the equally beautiful church of
Saint Spyridon and the interesting
clock tower of Campana Square.
While walking down this street we came across a beautiful Catholic
church Saint Nicolous  Also along
here is the equally beautiful church of
Saint Spyridon and the interesting
clock tower of Campana Square. 








We also found in and around Argostoli a variety of restaurants to keep
any type of taste buds happy. Above the you will find the lush Botanical
Gardens.
 One thing your are sure to find a shortage of in Greece and its Islands
are the many fascinating Museums and beautiful churches. In Argostoli we came
across the Archaeological Museum of Kefalnonis which is home to many
interesting  archaeological findings from
the Mycenaean, Hellenistic and the Roman period. The rich collection contains
coins, swords, sculptures and ceramics.
One thing your are sure to find a shortage of in Greece and its Islands
are the many fascinating Museums and beautiful churches. In Argostoli we came
across the Archaeological Museum of Kefalnonis which is home to many
interesting  archaeological findings from
the Mycenaean, Hellenistic and the Roman period. The rich collection contains
coins, swords, sculptures and ceramics. 
The second museum that is worth a visit is the Korgialenios History and the Folklore Museum which is housed in the
ground floor of the Korgialenian
Library, a 19th century restored Kefalonian house. The museum has an
interesting collection of photographs on the history of Kefalonia. The library
of Argostoli bosts some  50,000 books and
old manuscripts, some very rare indeed.
 The museum has an
interesting collection of photographs on the history of Kefalonia. The library
of Argostoli bosts some  50,000 books and
old manuscripts, some very rare indeed.
 

 
 
 

 
 


 The museum has an
interesting collection of photographs on the history of Kefalonia. The library
of Argostoli bosts some  50,000 books and
old manuscripts, some very rare indeed.
 The museum has an
interesting collection of photographs on the history of Kefalonia. The library
of Argostoli bosts some  50,000 books and
old manuscripts, some very rare indeed.


 
 





 Close to the library is a beautiful theatre known as the Theatre of
Kefalos and its reported to be the best theatre of Greece.
Close to the library is a beautiful theatre known as the Theatre of
Kefalos and its reported to be the best theatre of Greece.




 
 















Once you reach the main road to Lassi and make it over the hill on your left as you walk down you are treated to breath taking views of the many small coves and beaches and of course our favorite beach. The water sparkles inviting you back in.


We made our way back to our studio and need to get ready for the wedding festivities. The Bull’s and hen’s party.
 
 






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