Once along the Mani peninsula, a dream road leads. The afternoon on the west side is particularly impressive. The sun illuminates the rocks, we have the best light the whole way. It is now clear to everyone that we love the Mani. This rugged and somehow unique landscape has done it to us.
On the way to Koroni - we can already see the coast of Messina on the other side of the sea - we pass Vathia. Vathia itself is a picturesque place known for its impressive Mani towers.
The tower houses are stone buildings that reach a height of 20 metres and have four to five floors. They have very small window openings and low doors for security and structural reasons. The walls at the base of the towers were more than one metre thick.
The tower was the seat and symbol of a family's power, and its height depended on the family's prestige. Powerful families often prevented less important families from building high towers and sometimes forced their demolition. The towers protected not only the family, but also all the inhabitants of the surrounding houses.
Bloody family feuds occasionally led to the destruction of many towers. The collapse of a tower usually meant the collapse of the family reputation. Towers were built at strategic points, at narrow passages and in settlements, such as villages deep in the interior.
And as we drive along here with our Felixos, we are once again glad to have escaped all these power games.
A little further north, we find an enchanting campsite in a small harbour town. If it wasn't so hazy, we could see our beloved Koroni out of the window. Directly in front of us is a miniature lighthouse, and in the distance we hear soft music.
So no, how about going into town once more. Because it is Sunday evening and we are in the mood for a bit of holiday feeling. We stroll through the harbour street with its many tavernas. And at the end, yes, we hear music. A band is playing in the middle of the street. Around the cafés and bars, people dance, sing and, above all, enjoy the early summer evening on the street. The joy of togetherness is evident in the people. We order a drink (okay, two) and we are already in the middle of it. We swing our dancing legs, have a lot of fun and spill hot drinks in the process. But so what?
Our hearts beat faster, our eyes light up and some time later we walk comfortably to our mobile cottage, which is waiting for us beautifully by the sea in the evening sun.
Is there a more beautiful Sunday evening?
Merci for "travelling with us
We are thinking about taking another break from travelling in the summer and visiting our families in Germany and Switzerland. One of the ideas is to organise a Lecture about our long journey to the Persian Gulf to prepare. If you would like to, what would interest you the most? We will also tell stories here that don't find a place here on the blog. We're thinking of the Bern and Berlin area - simply because we have family there. But other places are also conceivable. Feel free to write to us.
By the way, we are travelling through Iran. It's possible that we won't be writing posts at all or will be late. We first have to see if it works for us. And whether we can even manage to write down all the fantastic impressions in good time.
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