The Peloponese, the southern part of Greece which dangles it’s fingers in the Mediterranean and gave rise to the warring Spartans, is also home to Olympia. We were there during the Beijing Olympics, which added a certain intensity to the meaning of our visit.
The picture says as much as anything can say about an archaeological site. This is the athletics stadium and the stone line at Sue’s feet were the starting blocks for athletes who came to Olympia as we did during the first full moon of August. The athletes ran in the buff!
The spot where the ‘vestal virgins’ (actresses) light the Olympic flame looks like – well a pile of rocks, which it is. They use the rays of the sun and a curved mirror to ignite a jet of gas.
Queen Victoria meanwhile is moored at Katakolon, about an hour away by road.
