Day 9: Neokastro, Pylos & Methoni

Pylos – a small picturesque and historically significant seaside town, built amphitheatrically (wow that’s a big word) around a huge natural harbour. The naval battle of Navarino (20/10/1827) between the Allied and Turkish fleet was an historic victory that contributed to the liberation of Greece from the Turks.

In Pylos there are plenty of places to eat and drink, from lovely cold wobbly coffees to local cuisine which includes goat stew, smoked sage sausage, diples, ladokouloura, honey and the world famous Kalamata olives.

H: Should be a nice pleasant day. Not a bad thing as it tourist traps Delphi & Olympus are coming up! 😁
H: Sounds like u had a productive chat with explore😁
K: the explore lady was mental.. we had such a laugh. I imagine her sitting there in her pj’s and fluffy slippers so happy that someone had called. 😆

K: my sketches from mystras.
H: I wondered what u were up to last night by torch light.. Seems u were finishing off your sketches 😁.

Neokastro – 16^th century Turkish Castle built to control the western coast of the Peloponnese. You can walk around its 1.5km battlements. In the 18^th and 19^th century it served as a prison. It’s museum houses a late-Roman bronze Diaskouri sculptures of two men, some fine Mycenaean-era ceramics, jewellery, and a stunning glass bowl.

H: Fancy catching a bus to Methoni?
K: re the bus, don’t mind or taxi. next bus is 2.15 I think.. 🤔 doesn’t come back til 8.30
K: pm that is

H: Shall we get bus to methoni and taxi back?
H: Only costs a couple of quid
K: OK 😎 🚍 🚖 wonder if adonis gataki will be our driver!

H: 😋 Any idea where the bus stop is?
K: no, could try the town square.
H: Yes. Just by Three admirals square I think
K: OK, let’s head down there..🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️

Methoni – Homer described it as ‘rich in vines’. it’s another picturesque seaside town with a castle, a 15th-century Venetian fortress. Enter the inner keep through the mighty gateway to discover a Turkish bath, a cathedral, a house, a cistern and underground passages. A short causeway leads from the fortress to the diminutive octagonal Bourtzi fortress on an adjacent islet. Look! they’ve even got a game you can play!