DAY 3--AT SEA
DAY 4--MYKONOS, GREECE/DELOS ISLAND
Mykonos is just like you see in picture postcards of Greece--whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches AND windmills. 
The windmills are the first thing you see as you dock!
Churches are everywhere!
Old Town's narrow streets and winding alleys were fun wandering around---
Our ship situated between windmills!
This historic island was the birthplace of Apollo. The ancient ruins, dating back to the third millennium B.C., make Delos one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world.
Fragments of decorative plaster wall over 2,000 years old!
A private cistern in the house has rope marks where the water was brought to the surface.
There was no fresh water source on the island, so they constructed cisterns that would trap rainfall before it ran quickly to the sea.
---basically, this is the world's largest jigsaw puzzle!
The entire island has been declared a national museum.
and seeing the beautiful flowers!
From as early as the 16th century one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos has been its windmills. Mykonos was the perfect location for the windmills to refine grain because: it was on a major sea trade route, ample year-round supply of wind and easy access to the harbor.
There really is a "Zorba the Greek!"
Mykonos Harbour and Old Town
Another church--striking with the red door, white paint and blue accents!
Walking through an alley Doug (who is always on the lookout for antiques) eyed some carving on this old piece of furniture! We went into a shop where we had just bought a small oil painting and asked the puzzled shopkeeper for a screwdriver! That was the best souvenir Doug could have found!
One of the most famous architectural structures in Greece is this Church, Paraportiani. Begun in 1475, Paraportiani is a group of five smaller churches constructed over a period of time. The two-story structure was four churches molded together forming a base for the fifth church to be placed on top.
This picture is for Jennifer--a shabby chic red door!
The sea is really this deep blue color--just like the painted domes!
I took this picture off our stateroom balcony!
Shore Excursion to the Island of Delos
Our transportation to Delos.
Delos is an entire ancient city. Besides being the birthplace of Apollo making it a very important place of worship, it was also a cosmopolitan town and a busy port. Delos became immensely wealthy and was so impressive that the Romans kept it as a free port when they came into power. It finally collapsed in 88 BC when it was conquered.
Ancient shops flanked the market
Entire sections of the residential areas are more or less intact. The streets are still clearly outlined, many of them with sewers running underneath. The House of Dionysus---
---has a mosaic floor in the center depicting Dionysus (a Greek God) riding a panther, which is still remarkably intact.
A closeup of the small pieces of tile making up the design.
A stone stairway leads to what was elegant private rooms of the upper story.
Entrance to house
There were columns scattered all over the island!
Room with intact windows
There are also remains of temples, homes and monuments all over the island in all directions.
A 45-foot wide paved Sacred or Processional Way traveled by ancient pilgrims.
Ancient writing on a column
Many of the random chunks of marble strewn all over the island are in the process of being painstakingly classified and cateogorized for eventual reconstruction---
The excavations are still being carried out by the French School of Archeology, which started in 1873.
Marble lions--Eternal guardians dedicated to Apollo stand in a row to protect the Sacred Lake--only 5/16 remain.
This was the Sacred Lake where Apollo was born!
Boats in small harbor where you arrive and depart the island.
Our boat ride back to Mykonos--a little church standing alone on a cliff with a view!
This picture really shows how truly blue the water is!
Tomorrow we'll be docking in ATHENS!
Tomorrow we'll be docking in ATHENS!
4 comments:
The blues and the whites are gorgeous! I really want to go to the Mediterranean! Dad's shirt is so cool too!
That's what I always think about Greece--the blue, blue water. You seriously have some beautiful pictures, and I have learned so much from your commentary. This is definitely a place I want to visit!
mom this stuff is really amazing, seriously I am just floored at what still remains after thousands of years. Thank you so much for taking so much time to record all of this for us. I love how dad is carrying your purse. Have I told you already, you two look too good for 60!
love you.
very cool, Mom. I love the colors. I was totally digging Dad's shirt, too. He should wear that in Boston.
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