Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Igoumenitsa, Greece

Saturday, October 19, 2013 – Igoumenitsa, Greece (ee-goo-men-eets-ah) – Western port of the Balkans This point is the closest a ship can come to the incredible monasteries of Meteora, “middle of the sky/suspended in the air” or “in the heavens” translations for one of the most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. They are built on natural sandstone rock pillars -- W A Y up in the sky. Few other natural sights have the same dramatic and historical appeal of Meteora, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We docked in the new port (from 2003 for ferries and cargo) and escorted a ship’s tour to Cassopea and Parga; it was good to get out of town. We drove about an hour to the ruins of Cassopea. The first settlements are from the Paleolithic era but this Greek city was founded in the 4th century BC and served as the capital of the region. It was eventually destroyed by the Romans in 176 BC and abandoned in 31 BC when the remaining inhabitants resettled in the newly built city of Nikopolis. It is considered one of the best examples of a city built in straight lines and squares, according to the Hippodamian plan. It was a beautiful day and the ruins are high on the hillside. There was views of the valley, sea and mountains above…quite a place to build your city. We drove about an hour to the seaside village of Parga, where an old Venetian fortress at its highest point, divides the bay into two harbors. We walked through the ruins of the fortress and enjoyed a refreshing drink on the terrace overlooking the harbor. It was drop dead gorgeous. Another place to add to the list when you visit Greece. We walked down the hill through the narrow streets filled with vendors and coffee shops onto the large square. A pier jutted into the bay and kids were playing and biking and they found an octopus! One got stung but that did not stop them from pulling it out of the water and putting it under the faucet to see it slither away. We wandered around the streets quickly but not much was open as it was late on a Saturday afternoon by this time. In Parga, we saw the notice for the “paragaea” olive oil factory but were unable to get there with our time constraints. It is the oldest mechanized olive oil factory (from 1929) that has been revived and converted into a Museum of Olives and Tasting. Back at the port, we took the ship’s shuttle bus to the center of town and had free WIFI at the esplanade. Called home and worked, wandered the streets and found the town square and did not have time to explore the Igoumenitsa Archaeological Museum of prehistoric and classical antiquities from the Thesprotia region. We had room service and it was wonderful. Relaxing and delicious. I watched the movie “Quartet” for my evening entertainment! Popcorn and a good movie were a nice way to end the day. Daily activities: Bridge is scheduled daily, fitness seminars and classes (one per day), afternoon tea (with scones and sandwiches), a hospitality desk upon arrival to each port so the local representative comes to YOU and you don’t have to line up to ask your questions after docking, crossword and puzzle pages, a shop that has just about everything you need, guitar melodies music in the evening and three movies daily on TV plus a full library of CDs (We have a Bose stereo in the room) and a DVD library. We are seeing more homeless cats and dogs in Greece than I remember and realizing that about 80% of the population still smokes – all ages, from the youth to the elderly.