February 9, 2021 
โ๏ธ #37 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Corinth, Greece”๐ฌ๐ท(2017)
ย Hiย friends and welcome to Day 37 of this monumental, inconceivable and definitely memorable blind sightseers tour….!
Good morning friends! (ฮฮฑฮปฮทฮผฮญฯฮฑ ฯฮฏฮปฮฟฮน)๐ ย
I love the fact that weโve just sailed to Corinth on the โSpiritโ and weโre now going on a trip along the Corinth canal, then to walk around ancient Corinth in the historic footsteps of the Apostle Paul. To say i was excited is an understatement! ๐ ๐ฒ ย
But firstโฆโ๏ธ ย
Iโm not good in the sun but Sarah comes alive in the scorching hot weather. So i sloshed on my sun cream as it was already 36 degrees outside (ouch) Iโve also bought myself a โTactical Sun Hatโ to try and keep myself cooler in the sun and provide a little shade with the wide rimโฆIt worked really well but i was still dripping like a candle in a Salvador Dali painting! ๐คฃ ย
Corinth canal…
Get ready to be impressed. The Corinth Canal marries up the Gulf of Corinth in the northwest with the Saronic Gulf in the southeast. Itโs 3.9 miles long and its width varies from 69 feet at the bottom to 82 feet at the water’s surface. Before it was built, ships sailing between the Aegean and the Adriatic Sea had to circumnavigate the Peloponnese, adding another 185 miles to their journey. On this fascinating tour youโll drive to Isthmia, around 1 hr’s drive, where a boat will be waiting to whisk you off. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views as you sail through this famous canal. Along the way, your guide will tell you interesting facts about the way it was built.
ย We stepped of the air conditioned coach and just as i said โArgghh now thatโs hotโ Sarah said โWow thatโs better, it was freezing on that coachโ we followed the group to the boat. โ๏ธ ย
After Sarah excellently guided me onto the boat, we took our seats. The whole trip was just stunning and we were blown away by the walls of the canal and the sheer size of it. The guide was telling us all about the history etc over the loud speakers (my fave part as i canโt see the scenery until i get home and really zoom in for a blurry look). I do listen and hear Sarahโs detailed descriptions of the landscapes and any other points of interest. I also take in the other people around me and their reactions too.ย
ย The Peloponnese…
โข๏ธ HEALTH WARNING… ย
Now for a blistering Sarah panorama! ย
After doing a 180ห turn we headed back down the canal, fantastic! ๐ ย ย
ย Ancient Corinth…
You’ll now take a short drive to ancient Corinth, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the ruins of the “Agora” marketplace as well as the Temples of Apollo and Aphrodite.
We shot off the coach and followed the guide closely from the front, the path was all uphill and did i mention it was scorching hot?!ย โ๏ธ I kept saying to Sarahย โWow the Apostle Paul actually came here!โ and after about the 10th timeโฆWeโd reached the top.
After a brief history lesson all about the temples and the culture as it was back in the day, we headed along another hot dusty path and ended up at the Synagogue. โWowโ i said โPaul wouldโve visited this actual Synagogue several timesโฆItโs simply amazing that iโm standing in biblical historyโ.ย
Upon leaving the synagogue the guide stopped and pointed to an ancient hebrew marking on the wall. Sarah quickly took a photo of it to share. I continued โWow, Paul may have walked under this very arch, wow!โ ๐ฒ
The Agora…
Moving further down and heading towards the agora, the sound of the cicadas were deafening, they were almost drowning out the voice of the guideโฆIt sounded like i was walking around with a massive bee hive stuck on my head but less sticky and much less painful! ๐คฃ ย
โWowโฆthe beema ย seatโ i said whilst trying to get excited but actually about to collapse due to heat exhaustion. โThe agora! This is where the Apostle Paul wouldโve been making tents..No way!โ i kept going โDid you know Paul stayed in Corinth for about 18 months and he wouldโve have frequently visited and worked around here!โ Sarah replied โYes i know Steve itโs incredible, but weโre getting left behind as you keep stopping and making wow noises, lol!โ ๐คฃ ย
โSarah could you take some photos of me in the Agora and in front of the beema seat? Iโd love to have a photo as a keep sakeโฆOh and have i mentioned that the Apostle Paul wouldโve been around here?!โ. Sarah puts up with a lot! ๐คฃ ย ย
The cicadas were still singing their thunderous lament as we walked deeper into the Agora. The guide stopped to show us the ruins and described how it would have looked and what would be happening back in classical times. ย
ย And then…
โข๏ธ HEALTH WARNING…ย
Just when you thought it couldnโt get any betterโฆSarah managed to fit the whole place in one monumental panorama! ย
At this point i was so exhausted, head and shoulders stooped forward and my mouth was dry and frothing. I managed a slow shuffle back to the air conditioned coach. Sarah said โOh itโs freezing on here!ย
It still blows me away when i think of this excursion to ancient Corinth and how we were actually there. ๐ฒ
Back at the shipโฆ๐ณ ย
After freshening up back in the cabin, we still had a few hours before the ship left port. Weโve found that if the excursion leaves us with a few hours to spare we can use the ship as the starting reference and go and explore the town nearest to the dock (any further and weโll get lost). This makes for a full day as we can go on the excursion around the island and then visit local shops and markets around the dock areaโฆYay! ๐ย
WowโฆDid i mention it was hot! โ๏ธ ๐ฐ
โYayโฆSteve a beach!โ Sarah shouts as we step out of the dock, she continues โNo way, holidays donโt start until iโve put my feet on the sandโฆCome on!โ I was just about to protest (as iโd left my beach shoes in the cabin) when Sarah dragged (i mean guided) me onto the powdery sand.ย
The boiling hot sun, the powdery white sand and the gentle touch of the sea rolling over Sarahโs feet educed a wonderful smile. ๐ ย
My new Microfibre towel…
We were now wet, frazzled and covered in sand and we walked for a while before we found a bench under a large tree. โYesโฆHere you goโ is said as i unclipped my new microfibre hand towel from my carabiner loop on my BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) shorts. I bought this little towel just before this cruise as i wanted to be more prepared as we learn a little more what we need from each holidayโฆAnd this time it worked beautifully! ๐ ย
After a while we were both sand free, dry and ready for a cold drink. We walked down a few streets then Sarah said โSteve, i think this looks like a cafe? I wonder if they do iced coffees?โ โI hope soโ i said feeling like a pulsing nuclear reactor.ย
They did the best iced coffee (Freddo Cappuccino) and even a sugar free one for Sarah…ย
As we were sitting outside drinking our amazing coffeesโฆThe man weโd met at the Captains table last night walked past and said hello. โWowโ i said to Sarah after a brief chat with the man, โWeโre even making friends and itโs only the first day off the shipโ.ย
Sadly itโs now time to return back to the shipโฆ
As we were walking towards the ship and the dock was emptyโฆWe stopped for a few photos…ย
Then…
As we were taking lots of photos, another nice person from our ship walked up behind us and asked if weโd like a photo together?! โOh yes please that would be so kind of youโ i said as i passed her my phone. ๐ ย
Back on shipโฆ๐ณย
Weโd had a fantastic day and had lots to talk about with ย the people sat around our table at the evening meal. Itโs lovely to hear other peoples stories from what they had done throughout the day, and to hear the adventures from the other excursions.
FinallyโฆJust when you think the day is over, we have another fantastic folded creature.
Our Routeโฆ..๐ณ ย
On Saturday evening Thomson Spirit sails to Itea, Greece. To arrive on Sunday morning having travelled 59 nautical miles at an average speed of 6 knots.
Hope youโve enjoyed the adventure todayโฆLet me know your favourite part?! ๐ค Weโll meet tomorrowโฆSame timeโฆSame place for another adventure!ย ๐ย
โฌ ย Previous Dayย ๐ดย Next Dayย ย โก
๐ย Join us:
- Tuscany Tour
- Transatlantic Sunset Cruise
- Matlock Bath
- Mayan Treasures Cruise
- Classical Greece Cruise
- Treasures of the Mediterranean Cruise
- Seven Isles Cruise
- Barbados – Southern Palms #1
- Tough Mudder 5K
- Tropical Delights Cruise
- Barbados – Southern Palms #2
- Aegean Shores Cruise
- Ancient Kingdoms Cruise
- Ultra Step Challenge
iChristian 
Thank you for sharing! I love getting to view these beautiful places you two have been.๐
Awww thanks Hope! It’s great to think someone else is enjoying them too, and it’s not just me and Sarah who benefit from these posts! ๐
I hope the rest of the adventure blesses you too?! ๐ ๐
I’m sure it will!
So glad you didn’t melt away – lol.
Lol…I have no idea how i didn’t, i was so ill with the heat, and as it was the beginning of a heat wave it was a nightmare for me. I don’t feel good if it goes over 20ห here in the UK, lol! ๐คฃ