The Argolid Pt. 2 (APRIL 8-9, 2009)

Hello again! I know it has been a REALLY long time since I've updated this blog. I've been really busy and doing too many awesome things that if I were to write about them immediately my computer would likely burst into flames or something. Anyhow, in order to get caught up, I'm going to be much more brief in my posts. So, where were we? Ah yes... days 2 and 3 of my Argolid trip. After a night in Nafplio I woke up and set out for another Mycenean period acropolis, Tiryns. Not much to report on there except for gargantuan rocks in orderly piles resembling walls. They were made more interesting by Eric's insistence on jumping off one of the Rocks making up a gateway about 12 or 15 feet high. He fell on his side when he landed, his sunglasses flew off, and he skinned his palm, but otherwise he was fine. After leaving Tiryns, our next stop was Argos and its archaeological site, in which was an immaculately preserved greek theatre, as well as the remains of a Roman bath. After bounding around the ruins of the agora looking for hidden treasures, we visited another archaeological museum with a preserved mosaic depicting personifications of all the months of the year (this was of course of Roman period or later). After lunch, we headed to the Argive Heraion (which wasn't as close as the name suggests), and Paul enlightened us on the importance of the site from the archaic period onward. Also during this time, Eric tripped on a rock or something and sprained his ankle, needing to be carried down the hill the temple was on by John P. After those fun times, we went back to Nafplio for a wine tasting and dinner. After our last night in Nafplio, we headed for Epidavros to the Sanctuary of Asclepios, the Greek god of healing. While we were there we learned much about the cult of Asclepios and the procedures pilgrims would undergo in order to be cured of anything from blindness to a five-year pregnancy! After wandering around the sanctuary and witnessing the re-erection of Asclepios' tholos-Heroon, we went to another immaculately preserved theatre, where Nick serenaded us from the bottom while we stood at the top. We then left to return to Nafplio for our visit to the Venetian fortress Palamidi overlooking the city (which in some places seems rather precarious). After enjoying the breathtaking view, we had lunch and slept on the long bus ride back to Athens. So, readers, until next time...