April 29, 2025 - Greece
Mani Peninsula & Pyrgos Dirou Caves

We departed Kardamyli and headed south down the coast to the Mani peninsula.

Along the way we stopped at this pretty overlook with a white sand beach.
   
Looking back north along the western coast of the Mani peninsula.
   
From the same spot, now looking northeast, at the inland town of Areopoli. 
 
   
 
   
 
   
We continued a little further south, then came to another inlet.  Here we stopped, for this was where the Pyrgos Dirou Caves were.
 
The caves are down by the water, just to the left of that tree on the right.
   
Looking north across the inlet.
   
Excited about visiting the Caves.
   
The purple thistles provide a little color as we descend down to the water.
   
 
   
Outside the Diros Caves entrance.  This is a popular tourist attraction but we got here early, a little before it opened, so we were first in line!
   
We really had no idea what to expect.  It turns out the caves are flooded and mostly be seen only by boat.
 
Each boat has a guide who poles the boat along the underground canals.  He didn't say much; mainly told us to watch our heads occasionally.
   
We have boarded the boat and are ready to get underway!  As you can see, we're all wearing life vests.
   
We've visited quite a few caves over the years; each one is unique.  This is one of the better ones.
   
Dave is on high alert for some reason.
   
 The caves were discovered by locals in the 1870s and opened to the public in 1963.
   
The water was exceptionally clear.  Here you can see electrical cables running along the bottom.
   
The iPhone's camera worked really well in this strange environment.
   
In some places the water beneath us was 100 feet deep.  We basically were floating near the ceiling of a vast, flooded cavern.
   
 
   
 
   
We exited the boat and hiked through the cave the rest of the way.
   
 
   
Spooky!
   
Yay, stalagmites.
   
We emerge into the bright blue day, down by the water.
   
Leaving the caves, we continued south to the tip of the Mani peninsula, which is Cape Tenaro.  We weren't sure if there was a road to the tip, but sure enough there was.  It was basically a single lane road towards the end, complete with horse.
   
This was as far as we could go by car.  Cape Tenaro -- also known as Cape Tainaron -- is in the distance at left.  It is the most southerly point in mainland Europe.   We could have hiked there to see a Roman villa floor mosaic along the way and a lighthouse, but it was an hour each way so we declined.
 
"This rocky promontory was known as the 'Sanctuary of the Dead.'  As the farthest point of the known world, this was where the ancient Greeks believed that the souls of the deceased came to enter the underworld.  It was also the site of a temple and oracle devoted to Poseidon, the god of the sea (marked today by a ruined Christian church)."  ... Rick Steves
   
More colorful flowers.
   
Checking out the stone terraced hills.
   
Ruins of a Christian church on the left.
   
Lynnette explores.
   
There was no information on this abandoned archaeological site.
   
It's amazing how the stone arch still stands after hundreds of years.
   
Looking back from the church at the parking lot and also a restaurant at center.
   
 
   
Now heading north back up the Mani Peninsula.  Clearly at one time, this area was heavily populated.
   
Someone spent a lot of time terracing this mountain!
   
We stopped for lunch at this restaurant in the little town of Lagia, on the east  side of the Mani Peninsula.
   
We had the place to ourselves; service and food were great.
   
Looking across the street at the church bell tower.
   
Across the steet was also an overlook, which gave us a look at the Laconian Gulf.
   
Continuing north up the east side of the Mani Peninsula which is very different from the west side.
   
Descending down the mountainous switchback road, we spotted this abandoned tramp freighter grounded on the beach.
   
I wonder what stories this old ship could tell?
   
Having fun on the Mani Peninsula!
   
Leaving the Mani Peninsula, we head east across another peninsula and arrive at our destination for the next two nights:  Monemvasia!
   
 
   
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