Aegina to Corinth 10 June

Left at 6 am this morning in preparation for a very exciting day. We are going through the Corinth Canal! We have heard and read a bit about the procedures about going through the canal. Apparently sometimes one has to wait many hours tied up to a quay, which can become quite dangerous when larger boats/ships pass by.

Arrived at the quay, paid the fee, waited less than an hour, nothing dangerous and had the company of this sweet dog. Gave it some biscuits?

Entrance to the canal.

An expensive, but amazing experience.

The canal is absolutely straight. In Carl's estimate the highest height of the walls are 40 metres at least plus the depth of 6 metres.In any way much better than having to pull the boat over the narrow piece of land separating Peleponesos and the Mainland. That's what they did until the French built the canal in 1890?

In several parts the walls are disintegrating. Wonder how long they can afford the upkeep?

The walls had footholds in the rock.  The walls are not far from vertical. I can just imagine the "fear of height feeling" scaling up or down this wall. 

Another part of the canal wall falling down.

Exit

Leaving the canal.

Early morning start and excitement of the canal made us decide to spend the night in the town Corinth. And surprise, surprise, besides being a very pleasant, friendly town, Ancient Corinth is just a bus ride away.

Here we have Apollo beside the Temple of Apollo.

Apollo a guy worth building a temple for. 

Views of the ancient city.

Very hot and thirsty, we had a modern beer just outside the ancient city. Served by this very friendly waitress, from Canada, of Greek parents.

Later that evening we met two couples, all living in Canada, but originally from Greece. They have their holiday house in Corinth.

Patiently waiting for the bus, something we do quite often.