Day 39
Kalamata to Gythio Lakonias via Sparta, Greece
The threatened rain overnight didn’t materialise thankfully, so we all had a very peaceful night’s sleep.
Our first visit this morning was to the local market. We didn’t know what to expect but it seems Wednesday’s market is a produce one. We strolled around the covered area checking out the fruit and veg, fresh fish and seafood and meat stalls.
The smells were amazing, even the fish stalls had a special aroma, with fresh herbs and the ‘ossom blossom’ fragrance as Gareth renamed orange blossom was just delightful.
We bought some fruit, a huge lettuce (which has taken up a whole shelf in the fridge!) Because they didn’t have little gems 
, a fresh mint plant, some Kalamata olives and olive oil, and from the same guy a 1.5 ltr of his own dry red wine . We sampled it on the market but haven’t opened the bottle yet. We shall do when we stop for a few days 
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Hands now full, we popped across the road and sat with the locals to have a Frappé each. It was just lovely sitting and watching the market buzzing with activity, the only raised voices you hear are greetings to each other, ‘good mornings’ and ‘how are yous’. We could have sat there all day!
Returning to the van we set the next destination for Sparta – now called Sparti about 1.5 hrs away.
Finding a parking spot on a main road we walked towards the ancient archaeologic site, passing the statue and tomb of Leonidas, the famous Spartan King
Ancient Sparta was free entry, not sure why, but once again, it looked like they were getting ready for the summer. No-one questioned us when we ignored the ‘no dogs’ sign and meandered around the site either. There are rules and there are people who ignore them at times!
There are very good explanations of the ruins, most are still being uncovered, with pictures showing how the ground layout would have been.
Gareth and I have read a lot of stories about the Romans and Sparta but it was still quite difficult to put the ruins into some sort of order. We had questions…where did the Kings live? Where were the barracks. 
The most impressive is the continued unearthing of the theatre and the associated buildings. The theatre is said to have a seating capacity of 17,000 and had a wooden acting area opposite called a Skene – which moved on wheels.
We can only imagine what still lies under ground. Not all of the ruins are barriered off, giving you the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Spartans!
Leaving Sparti we headed south to a campsite on the beach in Gythio Lakonias. Meg has had a run on the beach and we are freshly showered, hoping for another bright day tomorrow 
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