Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Katolokon, Greece

This morning the Encore is docked at Katolokon, the primary port for visits to Olympia, a magnificent site of ruins both religious and cultural. I have been here twice previously--the first time in spring 1993 when my land tour spent the night and I was able to see the site glorified by the magnificent Judas (redbud) trees in blossom.

Photo from April 1993

Will and I also visited in October 2010, when the weather wasn't so pleasantly obliging.

Since we have been to Olympia before, we decide we will have a quiet day exploring the small port town of Katolokon--two shopping streets and a busy harbor. There aren't any must-see attractions in the town, so we are content with a stroll along the main street of shops and restaurants.

Encore Docked at Katolokon (left); Port Exit to Town (right)

Three Views of the Church of Agios Nikolaos

Since there isn't much else to do we take a local motorized tram ride into the countryside. We do pass the late actress Melina Mercouri's vineyards, but the 40-minute ride isn't worth the 8 Euros per person.

So we head back to the ship for lunch. Will enjoys a restful afternoon, while I do one load of laundry in the ship's self-serve laundromat--free of charge. Those readers who live in Mountain View will note that the machine instructions are exactly the same as at home in Tucson.

Soon enough it's time for martinis and champagne with dinner:  Ceasar Salad, local Greek-spiced Rubbed Grilled Pork Chop, Grilled Fillet of Beef Tenderloin, and Hot Dark Chocolate Soufflé with Mint Anglaise.