The Greek island of Kefalonia (or Cephalonia)was our second port of call. As discussed in the ship profile of the Hebridean Spirit, this island was added to our itinerary when we encountered strong winds the first few days of our cruise. Since our ship was small, the captain and tour managers were able to change the ports of call and still keep the cruise interesting and exciting. All of the Greek islands have their own charm, and Kefalonia was no exception. It is the largest of the Ionian islands and very mountainous. Most of the island's older Venetian structures were damaged during a major earthquake in 1953 and not rebuilt. We sailed into the protected harbor of the capital city of Argostoli, and then took busses across the mountains to the port of Sami about 15 miles away on the other side of Kefallonia. The drive over the mountains was quite spectacular, and we could see the pretty town of Sami and its lovely beach for miles before we actually reached it. While in Sami, we toured the geologically-fascinating Mellesani Cave. It has a brilliant blue seawater subterranean lake, and small boats take tourists into the enchanting cave.
Upon returning to Argostoli, we saw that the Hebridean Spirit was sharing the island with the Radisson Diamond, a cruise ship with an unique catamaran design. Late that afternoon, we strolled along the marvelous harborside walkway and peeked into the interesting shops of Argostoli. Since it was a gorgeous early autumn evening, many of the Hebridean Spirit passengers walked the short distance to the charming city square after dinner to watch the people and have a drink in a cafe-bar. The square is the main hub for nightlife, and our waiter told us that in the summer we would be lucky to find a place to sit. Another good reason to tour in the off season! Four of us from the ship split a bottle of the local Kefallonian wine, called Rafolo. It was light and dry and a delicious accompaniment to our people-watching.
The ancient site of the Olympic Games, Olympia, was our next port of call. Being a big sports fan, I had long wanted to visit this site. I was not disappointed. The area was huge, and our guides did an exceptional job of bringing the different areas to life. Having a good guide book or a local guide will really enhance your visit. Earthquakes, vandals, and time have destroyed much of the buildings other than the foundations and a few walls, but there is still plenty to see. Be sure to bring along your imagination. Walking under the archway and down into the stadium was a real treat. Many visitors ran the length of the stadium, recreating their own Olympic race. The one slight disappointment was Hera's Altar, where the Olympic flame has been lit from the sun since the 1936 Olympic Games. Given the magnificence of some of the other remains, it was just an unremarkable rectangle of flat stones. I had to make a photo of the nearby sign to remind me what the picture was. The museum at Olympia is not to be missed, with many interesting sculptures and artifacts from some of the Olympia buildings. The museum also includes a painting of the great golden statue of Zeus that once dominated the temple of Zeus in Olympia and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The 450 BC statue was damaged by time and weather and eventually destroyed in a fire in Constantinople (where it had been moved) in 462 AD.
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