Katakolon

Katakolon has lost some of its luster as nearby Patra gained maritime importance. It still has a deep-water port capable of servicing 3 or 4 liners in port and several anchored offshore. A two-minute walk has you in town, which consists of one “shopping” street with several side alleys of cafes and such. At the other end of the street is a small park. There are several horse drawn carts the will take tourists on short [15-20 minutes] runs up to the end of town and the beach and back. After days of prodding our new Australian friends Murray and Lynn snapped a picture of me petting the horse. Believe it or not that is the first time I have touched a horse. Weird, huh? I bought a couple of nice wallets in town. They have nice handcrafted leather goods at very reasonable prices. And they have jewelry stores. Is this an aberration of the tourist trade or do then Greeks really like jewelry? Again, the designs are very ethnic and creative, the workmanship is lovely and the prices [I am not a jewelry purchaser, mind you] seem very affordable. We are all scheduled for extravagant spa treatments today [my first ever] and we depart the port of Katakolon around 3PM. We are headed for Santorini…Oh! Frabjous Joy!
I just got back from my first ever spa treatment. The initial impression was of confusion and apprehension. The young Japanese woman who led me about had less than a rudimentary understanding of English so I did not have any idea where I was supposed to be or when. There is a grand whirlpool bath, which I later found out one is expected to spend about an hour there and you will be called for your treatment. The odd part is that there are signs in the whirlpool room suggesting that you limit your time to 15 minutes. It was quite warm [I prefer warmer] and equipped with a steel tube bench at one end with jets from the sides and bottom. In the center was a steel cylinder with a gap to allow entry. Much more forceful jets abound within. There are lounges all about but I went exploring, as is my want. I came upon a Star Trek set with formed lounges of tile mosaic in shades of blue. There were Japanese-style wooden neck rests with rolled towels for cushioning. The room was quite cool but the beds were heated. There was also a steam room and showers with pore-slamming cold water. I spent a few minutes there and then continued my quest. The next room was equipped with cushioned lounges and a kitchenette offering teas, fruit and other stuff. Ashley finally arrived to take me to our private chamber. I disrobed and reclined on the massage table with my strategically placed towel. The first part of the treatment was an exfoliating using a cactus product; I didn’t quite get the name. I was then subjected to a head and neck massage with manly products so that I wouldn’t leave the spa smelling of “girlie” things according to my Wales-born masseuse. She then applied a masque and proceeded to the other end. I was treated to a foot and ankle massage. She then returned to my head, removed the mask, applied some other manly products and pronounced the session over. It was not unpleasant and I truly appreciate the gesture and gift [from that lovely Walters couple] but I can’t say it is something I would likely seek out. I guess it’s more a “girlie” thing.
I don’t know what were up to this evening; the show looks less than exciting [a comedian] but we will have a lovely dinner as we have had every evening so far. We are now in the Aegean Sea.