Day 8

 DATE: Monday, June 29 (Day 8): River Neda & Celebration at Vincent’s

Waterfalls, Ancient Wonders, and One Last Kyparissia Sunset

Day 8 began with our largest group of early morning fitness enthusiasts yet! The cooler temperatures made for perfect workout weather, and it was fantastic to see so many students choosing to start their day with some movement before breakfast.

After another delicious Greek breakfast buffet on the rooftop terrace, we packed up the vans and set off along the beautiful winding roads toward the Temple of Apollo. Built in the 5th century BCE and designed by the renowned architect Ictinus (who also helped design the Parthenon), the temple is considered one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Greece. Dedicated to Apollo Epicurius, meaning "Apollo the Helper," it was built to thank the god for protecting the local people from plague. Nestled high in the Arcadian mountains, its remote location has helped preserve this remarkable piece of ancient history.

Our adventure then shifted from ancient history to nature as we made our way to the Neda River for a picnic lunch. After refueling, it was time to head into the river, literally! Students embraced the refreshing, cool water as they carefully waded through the flowing river. It was wonderful to watch so many students challenge themselves throughout the afternoon. Some who were initially hesitant stepped well outside their comfort zones, demonstrating courage, resilience, and determination as they navigated the river. We truly have an exceptional group of students.

Our journey culminated with a scramble up the rocks using many of the 8XPE skills we've been developing throughout the trip, rewarding everyone with an incredible waterfall where students enjoyed a well-earned swim in the cool water before beginning the steep hike back to the vans.

The drive home was noticeably quieter than usual, a sure sign that the day's adventures had happily tired everyone out!

After returning to the hotel for a quick refresh, we made our way to the Vincent family's villa for another incredible evening together. We enjoyed homemade pizza, delicious skewers, fresh watermelon, desserts, and plenty of laughter. Games, dancing with Yannis, and time spent together made for a wonderful celebration of our final evening in Kyparissia.

To finish the day, we gathered at the beach to watch one last spectacular Kyparissia sunset and thank our local Greek family for their incredible hospitality and kindness throughout our stay. As if the evening couldn't have been any more memorable, we were treated to a special turtle sighting just offshore as the sun dipped below the horizon, a perfect ending to a truly unforgettable day.

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Kyparissia and begin our journey to Nafplio for the next chapter of our Greek adventure!

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