We were up early to share breakfast and rep are for the boat trip to Delos. Prices on Mykonos are ridiculous ... 4 euros for a coffee or tea = $6.00!! The only reason that we are here is to visit Delos.
The boat trip, 1/2 hour from the old port (18 euros each) was almost full. As we approached the island of Delos we could see that the entire island is an archaeological site with pieces from the past scattered everywhere.
Cleopatra, a friend who used to live on Amorgos, greeted us with hugs and kisses. She is employed as one of the guards on the island during the tourist season.
These two statues sit in The House of Cleopatra (50 BC)
The Theatre
The Terrace of the Lions, dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos shortly before 600 BC, had originally nine to twelve squatting, snarling marble guardian lions along the Sacred Way.
This is a portion of a mosaic depicting Hermes and a tiger.
It is composed of tiny pieces of mosaic tile that have retained
their original colours.
Delos was inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC. It was once home to 30,000 inhabitants. In the 5th century BC, during the 6th year of the Peloponnesian war and under instruction from the Delphic Oracle, the entire island was purged of all dead bodies. It was then ordered that no one should be allowed to either die or give birth on the island due to its sacred importance and to preserve its neutrality in commerce, since no one could then claim ownership through inheritance.
The French School of Athens has been excavating the island since 1872. Delos is a UNESCO site.
It was difficult to grasp the magnitude of what we were seeing. It was so immense and overwhelming. A three hour visit was much too short a time to fully comprehend that we were walking on history. Below our feet were still many levels of unexcavated remains being trampled by visitors each day. I felt that the island should be closed to everyone except teams of archaeologists who could gradually unearth this hidden ancient world. There were signs of ignorance everywhere...plastic bottles and candy wrappers. The guards do their best but they can't control everything.
The only ones allowed to stay overnight on the island are the guards, the archaeology team and guests with special permission. A heavy fine is levied against anyone attempting to stay. There are no stores, bars, goats, homes or rooms for rent. Our friends Theo and Bas received permission through Cleopatra to spend the night. They took sleeping bags and will sleep under the stars.
Petros picked us up around 9:00pm and we shared dinner at a fusion restaurant. Is there anyone on this island that he doesn't know?? After dinner we went to the opening of a photo "exhibition" by his friend Luca Roberto. We were confused at first because Petros explained that we were going to an "execution"!
Petros picked us up around 9:00pm and we shared dinner at a fusion restaurant. Is there anyone on this island that he doesn't know?? After dinner we went to the opening of a photo "exhibition" by his friend Luca Roberto. We were confused at first because Petros explained that we were going to an "execution"!
Artists' feet on display at the exhibition.
Which ones are mine?
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