Amazing Race Day Tues Sept 6

On our way out of Nafplio we drove up the hill to Pallamidi Fort, put on our hikers and scrambled around the ruins. This is a huge complex, still in good shape. We were worn out from the experience and figured the attackers would have been relieved to get shot or captured after the long crawl up that mountain. We then head out of town south toward the remote Mani region of the Peloponnese peninsula.
The mountains hug the coast which makes for a very scenic and twisting drive. We get hungry and pull into a little roadside restaurant that is deserted. The waitress knows a bit of english and Bruce decided try the rabbit. I play it safe with Patiki the same casserole I had last night. Delish! The whole meal with a huge Greek salad and wine came to 23 euros, about 30 cdn. We turn inland at Leonidia and cross through the mountains. At this point our Gps becomes confused and we are on our own. We ask a local for directions but no english, they nod though so we continue on. This is the most remote scenic road we have ever driven. As we wind our way through the mountains we look way up and see a building clinging to the mountaintop. We wonder how anyone could have built this on top of such high steep cliffs and who could be so lucky to have a view like that. When we see a sign to a monastery we make a u-turn and take a narrow road to the Elonas Monastery. It's deserted but then we see a monk on a lower balcony having a smoke. (holy smoke!!) He quickly put it out, came up to greet us and waved us in even though we didn't meet the dress code. What a beautiful spot with a chapel that holds some famous relic that people keep stealing.
As the mountains become hills we stop for a herd of goats to cross the road and later cows. The road signs have no english and the GPS does not recognize any names I enter. We eventually arrive at Gerolimenas, a very small fishing village and our inn - the Stone Villa Laoulas. It is an old stone tower house characteristic in the Mani. Themis greets us and and shows us the room we booked and then the nicer room he is giving us, with queen bed and balcony over the water. He not only recommends a beachfront restaurant, he walks us there. I think its the same owner but regardless, very good. I had pumpkin balls! We return to our nice room and go out on the balcony to enjoy a wine. The spot lights shine on cliffs across the bay and top off an amazing day.