We don't eat with tourists!

This morning we woke up and found ourselves at the port of Katakolon, Greece.  A place we had never heard of but we were looking forward to seeing it.  Our first view of the town was lovely and assured us that we would have a beautiful day. 

Katakolon, Greece on western coast of Greece's largest peninsula is best known for its dock side taverns and small souvenir shops. Katakolon also serves as the gateway to one of Greece's most notable historic landmarks, ancient Olympia. More about that later.

After breakfast we wondered off the ship and met up with our guide for the day, Stanis.  The four of us scrunched into his somewhat small car and off we went.  Our first stop was the Magna Grecia Agriturismo which specialized in organic olive trees.  

Beautiful gardens

We got instructions in how to know the best olive oil and how to use it.  The health properties of organic olive oil were explained to us, and we then saw how they pressed the olives.  We got a chance to taste their many types of olive oil.  We bought some olives but decided to wait until we got home to order some olive oil.

Lots of samples to try.

Some olives Karen bought.

Our next stop was at Klios' Honey Farm - a family-owned farm that has been in the family for several generations.  

Grandma welcomed us to the farm her father started. Her daughter is the beekeeper and togrther they run the business.

We sampled their quince, which was delicious, had their orange juice, and got a full lecture all about bees - how they live and work and what they produce.  We were amazed at how much we did not know about bees.  

Afterwards we sat in their lovely outdoor picnic area and were served curled crispy pastries that we covered with honey and enjoyed.  The honey was delicious.  Bill took some honey home with him.  

Stanis had some strong opinions on the cost of things in Greece and we were glad to see that the prices in the area we were in were very reasonable.  He wanted to make sure we were not taken in at the local tourist traps.

Stop number 3 was at the site of the first Olympic games. At first Karen was the only one admitted because Bill only had two tickets for the four of us, but he got it straightened out and we all got to enjoy a taste of ancient Greece. 

Wait for us - we need more tickets. Bill mis-read the entry fee which was in Greek.

It was a large area with many ruins - stones and partial columns everywhere.  It was originally a temple to Zeus and then was used for the first Olympic games.  We took a long walk around the area.  

After strolling around the archaeological site, we were in need of food and Stanis had a special place that he wanted to take us - a local Greek owned restaurant where tourists do not go.  This is the kind of place we like to visit on our trips and local Guides always know the best ones.  

We did not know what Stanis was ordering for us but soon our table was filled with wonderful homemade bread, a Greek salad to share, a vegan dish for Karen, a slow cooked tender beef dish, and a roasted pork dish with delicious potatoes to share.  Everyone enjoyed the meal and Stanis surprised us at the end with some Baklava that he had purchased at a local bakery as soon as he found out Carla and Karen were part Armenian.  Another lunch surprise was when the bill came.  All that food plus 3-beers was only 47 euros.  

The harbor

Before boarding the ship, we spend some time strolling the shops at the port and Stanis made sure we only went in the ones that were Greek locally owned with only Greek products. He also brought us some gelato and forced us to accept it! 

We hated to say good-bye to our authentic Greek tour guide, but it was time to go.

Since we had such a late and very filling lunch, we were not in the mood for dinner, but the ship was doing a special Greek meal, so we went to the Terrace Cafe for a light supper, after which we finished the bridge game we started the day before.  Bill and Karen beat Mike and Carla and they will probably want revenge.  

Good night all!  Love to everyone!