Greece - Kaves of Kalamata

Caves Were Promised!

stovetop espresso

(of course) brad brought the tiny camping espresso maker that we gave him more than 20 years ago. We have used it on various hikes including in Italy. Now, in Greece :)

Attempted Breakfast

We tried and failed to get breakfast in Stoupa. There was only one place open (VERY local) and there was only toast on offer. Could also have been a language barrier? We got coffee and set off on an exploratory hike at the beach.

Shoreside cave

we spent a bunch of time carefully climbing our way out through razor sharp rock formations to the entrance of a cave. It is too cold to swim in at this time of year (without wetsuits) so we had to settle for a few photos from the outside . I amused myself by utterly exhausting my arms and shredding my hands while carefully climbing the rock formations.

Another Cave?

After searching for over an hour, through even more dangerous rock than this morning, and based only on a single google maps post, we managed to find a beautiful cave in the side of the shore. If [[Brad Sawatzky|Brad]] hadn't seemed so interested in finding it, I don't think I would have persisted. There is a poorly trodden trail on very sketch terrain and overgrown with 2 or 3 kinds of VERY thorny bushes and vines.

As it should be, the stone and dirt path was covered with moss and lichen. It felt so right, like I was making my way down to the base of the waterfall in Ithilien. The air in this hillside hollow  was still and warm as it's giant parabola gathered in the little warmth the day had to offer. As I approached the cave, I could feel  it's exhalation--a sweet and steady stream of cool, moist air, making the hair on my neck rise with anticipation.

We had already found 3 separate areas that we thought could be the entrance from a distance. As we descended, I knew this was it.

Above is what the main entrance looks like from inside. It looks like it was opened up during an earthquake or similar a hundred years ago, or more. The rubble makes a suspiciously perfect arch partway in and it is quite easy to access this part of the cave, once you navigate the treacherous outside terrain.

 From one of the less useful access points to the cave, a brilliant shaft of light comes down from above. That spot would have been accessible with a rope, but we wouldn't have had access to the dry parts of the cave or the spectacular view from where this picture was taken. 

Sitting and listening to the echoing of a hundred little drips of water while my eyes were treated to the hues of shimmering sapphires and emeralds was a transcendent experience. Probably the natural equivalent of what I enjoyed several days past at the temples of Delphi--the heights of an ancient civilization bent on pouring all their energy to making AWE in the service of their gods. Simple and natural as it was, this cave does something very similar, with no effort whatsoever.