16th June 1984 - Ithaca to Delphi

Sunday June 17^th is tomorrow [this is 16^th June] Once again I got up early and then went down to the wharf, had a small breakfast and caught the 7 o’clock Argostoli back to Patras. It was very hazy but calm. Arrived in Patras at 12.45 and bought a ticket for the 3.00 bus to Itea. In that time I had some lunch and went up the steps mentioned on Page 36 – pay attention, will you! – and this led to the ruined castle on top of the hill (admission free). Not all the walls are in mint condition (they produced their coinage down the hill a bit [joke]) but within them is a garden with small groves of trees, and flowering shrubs (i.e. oleander) line the paths and areas of dry grass. The actual castle part itself was closed but it looks as if it’s got a lot of botany growing within its walls too.

   I made my descent and caught the crowded bus (including black poodle in a carry bag) at the right time and it went along to the car ferry port, Rio, got on the ferry to Antirio [now there’s a bridge across the strait, finished in 2004, almost 3km long] and drove along the Gulf of Corinth road where there is wire netting strung out over cliff faces above the road for safety against falling rocks.

Treasury of the Athenians, Delphi (visited on the 18th)

   I got off in the coastal town, went up and down the esplanade and caught the bus to Athens just as it was leaving. But I didn’t get off in Athens but sixteen kilometres later in Delphi (at 6.30-7.00?), where I found the youth hostel (260ΔΡX), washed some clothes, had a shower and some dinner. Fujichrome 100, processing not paid for, is 90 drachmas cheaper in Delphi than in Patras, which is a bloody nuisance because I bought three in Patras, not having seen any (fresh) ones elsewhere (650ΔΡX each). I chatted with an American Indian on the roof – he said he like to go back to India one day.