Cape Sounion then Set Sail for Haifa, Israel

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20thAugust 2018

It is our final day in Greece before departing for Haifa, Israel at 2.00pm this afternoon. Our final look at Greece is an excursion to Cape Sounion,  SE of Athens on the Southernmost tip of the “mainland”.  It is also the location of the Temple of Poseidon, and we have seen it from the sea as we sailed past in Galileo on our way back to Marina Zea at the end of our Cyclades cruise.

Viking Orion

Buses leave the port at 8.30am, and it is a drive of around 1.5 hours along a very pretty coastline, dotted with many beaches and a few marinas. Greeks are still on holidays, so we see them swimming in the ocean every time we pass one of the many beaches.

One of the many beaches along the coastal road



The bay below the Temple which once was the site of a shipyard in ancient times


View of the Temple on the Cape

It is another windy day, and Cape Sounion is very exposed. The headland is quite high and was the location of a fortification to protect attacks on Athens, and a shipyard was  located in the bay to the west of the cape, in ancient times. Only a few of the fortress wall are now left.

Plan of the Archaeological Site that includes theTemple



The Temple of Poseidon



Alighting from the bus we are confronted with wind blasts of well over 30 knots, and you had to hang on to everything for fear of seeing it blown over the sheer cliffs into the sea. Trying to hear the tour guide was difficult at times but we have individual radio controlled earpieces that make it a little easier. Staying vertical in the howling wind was just as challenging.

There is no doubt that the Temple of Poseidon is an amazing structure, and the fact that it has remained in such good condition in this harsh location is a credit to those who built it.

As with everything in Greece there are many myths and legends surrounding just about everything that exists and most of the tour commentary is relating these stories.

Our Tour guide telling one of the many legends that are the essence of Greek History

We spent about an hour at the site before seeking refuge from the wind back in the bus, and proceeded back down the coastal road to return to Piraeus. Despite the wind, the scenery is quite stunning.

Back on board by 1 pm, we are only 20 minutes away from the safety briefing before we leave port, so there is no time for lunch. The briefing is completed by 2pm, and there is a rush to the restaurants as no-one appears to have had time for lunch before the safety briefing. We decided to give the World Café (main buffet restaurant) a miss and went to the quieter pool grill , near the swimming pool. It was very pleasant and a lot more relaxed.

Departure is delayed till 2.45pm, due to some immigration clearance issues with a few passengers, but once resolved we silently edged our way our of the cruise terminal and through the narrow harbour entrance.  


Finally on our way heading to the narrow harbour entrance

Once out in open sea, the sea is up a bit, but Viking Orion is extremely stable.

There are many activities on board including a lecture on Egypt that a few of us went to at 3.30pm. Tonight we have booked dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, Manfredi’s (obviously an Italian restaurant).

 Manfredi's was fantastic, as good as any top Italian Restaurant you would find anywhere.

Tomorrow we are at sea on our way to Haifa, where we are expected to arrive at 7 am on 22nd.

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