Boats are strewn around on shore in our little cove in Deep Mani. We are thinking that the fishing trade is not what it used to be. I saw a man rowing out to his nets, though. I took pictures of them before breakfast, a traditional repast of olives, tomatoes, bread, orange juice and coffee. No yogurt this morning.
Fishing Boats on Shore and Man Rowing to His Nets
We were on our bus at 9:00 to wind our way south along the rocky, steep countryside. Our first stop was at a small semi-abandoned village where stone houses were fortified to fight off marauders. The government recently tried to turn the village into a hotel complex, but it failed. Now there are empty buildings and shells of buildings. It was picturesque, though.
Fortified Village
Our next stop was at Cape Tainaro, the southernmost area of continental Europe. It was here that we did a 5.5 km hike along a rocky path to he capes's lighthouse. The trail was not difficult, although a couple of our group fell along the way and got scraped up. No serious injuries, however. Wildflowers along the way were spectacular - the best I have ever seen in the Spring anywhere. The lighthouse itself was not too thrilling (it was automated with solar power) and looked like it could use some paint and repairs. We were at the southern tip of Europe, though, and that made it special. The cape's other feature was a temple to Poseidon and the story in Greek mythology that it was the entrance to the underworld.
Wildflowers and the Lighthouse
After the hike, Harris patched up the unlucky hikers and we were off on the bus for lunch. We ate outside on a patio at a taverna overlooking a white sand beach in a cove on the Ioanian Sea. It was a wonderful meal. We started with grilled eggplant with cheese on top, sauteed kale-like greens with lemon juice and Greek salad. Then we had grilled calamari in a honey sauce, mussels in the shell in a fennel sauce and large grilled shrimp in the shell. It was yummy.
After lunch, Ann and several others climbed down to the beach and took a dip in the cool Ioanian Sea.
Our Lunch Table and Ann Swimming in the Ioanian Sea
We got back to our hotel early enough to buy some ouzo, shower, wash clothes, read, walk and sample ouzo before dinner. Our meal was at our hotel and it ended with birthday cake for the other Ann on our tour. She is 80+ and one of the stronger hikers.
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