From Corinth to Mycenae to Nafplio

After a few wonderful days in Athens, I take a trip to the Peloponnese Peninsula. I leave at just after 7 o'clock in the morning by train for Corinth. When I arrive at the train station there, I learn that the archaeological site, in other words, ancient Corinth, is about 7 kilometers outside the present city and can only be reached by taxi. A good deal for the taxi drivers, who charge €10 for a 5-minute ride. Admission to the site is another €10. So much for traveling on a budget. The pillars of the former Temple of Apollo dominate the park, which is currently in full bloom with spring flowers - a beautiful contrast to the approximately 2,600-year-old stones. After a tour, I drive to the Corinth Canal, which separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese Peninsula. It can only be navigated by smaller ships, as the waterway is no more than 24 meters wide. The sight is breathtaking, and I can hardly turn away from the turquoise blue water below me. For adrenaline lovers, there is the opportunity to go bungee jumping over the canal. Now I continue to the excavations in Mycenae, which can only be reached on foot from Fichti, by the very rarely running bus, or of course by taxi. This time, I decide to walk and regret it at the latest when the road goes uphill after 30 minutes of walking and a sign indicates that there are still 2 kilometers to go. Completely sweaty, I arrive, pay €12 for admission, and am somewhat disappointed that there isn't much to see on the site. Unfortunately, only the approximately 3,300-year-old Lion Gate and remains of the city wall have been preserved from the Mycenaean Upper Town. The charm of the archaeological site is definitely the hilly landscape surrounding it - all in all, it is a nice stop, even though I expected more. In order to not have to walk down again, I get into a taxi with the intention of being taken to the Fichti train station and then taking the next public bus to Nafplio. Although according to my information, a bus is supposed to depart in about 20 minutes, taxi driver Kostas insists that there will be no public connection between Fichti and Nafplio for the next hour and a half and convinces me to let him take me there for a special price of €20. I am too exhausted and uncertain to argue and agree. Energized by this successful negotiation, Kostas immediately makes me the next offer: for just €60, he will even take me to Epidaurus. He even has a tour guide with him and points to the pictures with his finger. Even though I would have really liked to see the ancient theater in the middle of the forest, I decline his offer. 15 minutes later, we arrive in Nafplio. The city is beautiful, with a harbor, picturesque alleys with pretty houses, and three fortresses: one on a cute island in front of the harbor, one above the old town, and the third on a hill 200 meters high. I gather my last reserves of strength and climb the 999 steps that lead to the latter fortress, the most impressive of the three. After that, I am ready for the trip home, which takes just over two hours by bus - at least to the bus station in Athens, where I feel like I wait another hour for the city bus that takes me to my hotel. With 1,000 great pictures that alternate kaleidoscopically before my eyes, I fall into bed.