After a lazy day on the beach, we explored the National Archeology Museum in Athens. I pouted about not getting a guide for the museum. James and mom didn't really want one, but as it turned out there weren't any guides available when we arrived at 9:30am. So either groups got there early at 9 when it opened and stole all the guides or the guides all slept in. It was a Friday after all.
A short 3 hour bus took us to the small town of Delphi (pop. less than 3000). Man, we worry about everything all the time. We worry about being late for transport, about where to get off public buses, where to catch a bus, missing ferries or ... Its difficult not to worry and if one person starts we all start and that dominates the conversation. I hate being stressed out but it seems to happen more
often that normal.The adventure in Delphi was to hike from a cave about a 25min taxi away then hike back to the town. Delphi is a town located on the side of a cliff that over looks the olive groves and the Sea. Its is 600m above sea level and is surrounded by taller mountains. We hiked from 4.5hours home along a "so called well marked path"... It became a game looking for the metal red squares that marked the trail. The problem is that the path faded into the nature with no signs in view. We stressfully made our guesses.. one wrong turn took us through a farmer's field near a scary looking sheep herding dog and past used shot gun shells. Lucky after wandering for 20mins... we hit a semi major country vehicle path and magically a red square appeared. Being scared of being lost in the back country of Greece we decided to stay walking on the road, however a car full of European tourist insisted that path in the field was much more scenic and picturesque. We hadn't even noticed the path diverge from the road. Coincidences are important in the journey of traveling! This image is one of many amazing views from the hike that most tourist don't see. The effort and the soreness I feel still was so worth the experience.
Delphi is famous because it was the center of the ancient Greek world. A temple dedicated to Apollo was constructed in ancient times and a famous oracle told the future from inside the temple. This is what still stands about 500meters from our hostel.
Sanctuary of Athena. We never saw this structure from close up, only from the view points along the hike. If you use your imagination you can picture the beauty of this ancient building!!! Plus if u sit on the steps you can see the sea with a backdrop of mountains. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful place.
The map of Crete. A 5hr ferry ride on a ship fit for the Queen sailed us to the largest island in Greece and the most southern area of the country. We arrived in Iraklio which is the capital city and business center.
The Ferry pulled into the port just after 8. The city of Iraklio isn't as beautiful as some of the cities we will see but it is so different from Canadian cities.
This morning we travelled 20mins to the ancient palace of Knossos which was built twice thousands of years ago. It covers an area greater that 20, 000 squared meters with over 1200 rooms to house the royal family, upper society, and guards. The civilization was around a hundred thousand people. It was rebuilt twice and partially reconstructed in 20th century.
This is an image found in the palace which demonstrates a dangerous activity of bull jumping. People would wait for a bull to charge them in the court yard... grab its horns at the right moment and somersault over the bull. If the person miss judges the time then they often died. Apparently women and men preformed this activity.
This is where men would discuss their problems with the King. This room has completely been reconstructed by a British Archaeologist.
