I Know Exactly Where We Are

Day Two with our rental car started with us heading to check out the beaches in the southeast. The map showed the intersection we are looking for as a major one. Well, we missed it and pulled into a strip mall to ask for help. And, oh, happy day, there was a mail box! There are many places on the island to get your mail.There are no places to send your mail and we had been carrying postcards for days. The beaches of the southeast are sand; also very crowded and full of tourist gack. We turned around and headed for the hills.

Sheelagh had just confidently stated, "I know exactly where we are.", when we landed up in the village of Maries, miles from where she thought we were. Here we found the Olive Tree taverna complete with wonderful hostess and 900 year old olive tree. She had just made apple and walnut pie and we were the first ones at the trough.

The lady filled us in on the history of the village. It is named after two Marys - Mary Magdalen and Mary, wife of Cleopas. In 34 AD, the Marys were on their way to Rome to protest against the treatment of Jesus. Their ship stopped at Porto Vromi, 5 kms away, and the two began to tell the population about Jesus. The first converts to Christianity on Zakynthos came about because of their witnessing. A church dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalen has stood on this spot since the 15th century.

From our balcony table, we overlooked currant grapes drying, onions curing,

 and pomegranate trees. It was a really lovely stop.

We drove down, down, down to Porto Vromi for some swimming time. It's a nice beach but the bay is full of boats taking people back and forth to Shipwreck beach so you have to be on the look out all the time.

Another pleasant taverna for a late lunch before back over the hills to home.

Thought we'd been seeing birds perching on the chimneys every where. They're the chimney pots.