About those stairs...

I did mention them in the previous post, and you might want to see some of the "official" 999 that lead to the fortress of Palamidi. According to Wikipedia, it's only 913, but who do you believe: local folk or some Internet site?!? Yes, these photos confirm that I walked 'em (sure felt like 999) up and down again!

Note the bowed heads. This climb is not for the weary or weak of will. And what you find at the top is a true crusader fort, built by the 17th C. Venetians to fend off the Turks. Who knew that the empire of Venice extended to Greece. Remember the opening scene of Robin Hood, starring Kevin Costner? Well, this fortress has a prison just like the one he was held in...darn scary! 

Great full moon photo of the fortress here. Wish I was in correct photographic position to take my own image, but this one is spectacular, don't you think. 

The perspective here gives you a sense of how far down it is to Nafplio (216 feet for those who delight in exact numbers).

A good view of the rocky peninsula. Start in town, to the right of the big green tree, find the walkway and keep the water on your right. In 30 minutes, depending on how many distractions you encounter, (*) you'll see a rocky beach bedecked with jeweled bikinis. Waterfront bar with shaded bar tables and blaring music make it clear that this is Athens beach paradise.

* I was entertained for ten minutes as I watched pre-teen boys jockey into position for a daredevil dive into crystal blue water. Only one of the four actually made it into the water, but it was fun watching them work up the courage — or not! — to leap. When the beach police came up behind them, their body language spoke "Relief" to be dry instead of still dripping from a recent illicit plunge.