Woke early to the sound of a bell ringing I think. It is windy outside. The 3 cruise ships from yesterday are gone but there are 2 new ones-The Splendor of the Seas and The Zenith. Another day of sightseeing planned but first-breakfast. Scrambled eggs, fruit, toast, orange juice, coffee.
Walked into town and bought taxi boat tickets for Delos 17€ per person. We are taking the 10:00 am boat. It's sunny, hot, and windy. Our boat is full. Lots of people from the cruise ships. The excursion or taxi boats depart Mykonos at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am Tuesday-Sunday. They depart Delos at 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm. The site is open until 3:00 pm. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes.
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| Our tickets to Delos from Mykonos |
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| Our tickets back to Mykonos from Delos |
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Boat to Delos
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Ready to board
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Leaving Mykonos
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DELOS. Tiny and uninhabited island. One of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. According to legend, Leto gave birth to Artemis and Apollo here. The Ionians arrived in about 1000 BC bringing the worship of Apollo and founding the annual Delia Festival during which games and music were played in his honor. By 700 BC Delos was a major religious center. First a place of pilgrimage it later became a thriving commercial port especially in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. Now it is an open air archaeological museum with mosaics and marble ruins. There is a separate building-Archaeological Museum. Admission 5€ per person. Bought bottles of water. On our visit the site is overgrown with spring flowers which impeded our walking somewhat. However, didn't see any trash or litter. I think we saw a lot but certainly not everything. It's recommended you need at least 3 hours here. However, it was hot, no shade so we spent 2 hours 45 minutes and that included the time for the museum. Original plan was to stay until the last boat at 3:00 pm.
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Port of Delos. Over the centuries the port was the landing point for pilgrims, traders, and slaves. Today it welcomes visitors to the stunning open-air
museum on the site of one of the ancient world's most sacred spots.
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Approaching Delos
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Lions of Delos. The famous lions here have been replaced by replicas. They were set up to overlook and protect the Sacred Lake. They were carved from Naxian marble at the end of the 7th century BC. Originally there were 9 but now only 5 remain. Originals left are in the Delos Museum.
Sacred Lake. Legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Drained in 1929 to prevent the spread of malaria. Circular wall marks where it used to be.
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Wall surrounding where the lake used to be
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Visible is some icky looking water in what was the Sacred Lake
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Agora of the Italians. Meeting place for members of the Italian community.
Was one of the largest agoras on the island. In ancient times it was surrounded by shops. Romans began settling on Delos as early as the 3rd century BC with Rome's rise to predominance. Most were bankers and merchants from south Italy and Sicily organized in various professional societies, each under the patronage of a god-whether Apollo/Apolloniasts, Poseidon/Poseidoniasts, or Hermes/Hermaists.
Archaeological Museum of Delos. Built in 1903. One of the oldest museums in the Cyclades. Has many artifacts discovered on Delos. Admission 5€ per person.
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Map of the site
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Map of the site
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Original lions of Delos
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| French School of Archaeology began excavating Delos in 1873 |
Main temples dedicated to Apollo. Remains of 3 temples which stand at the center of his sanctuary. Brought thousands of pilgrims to this spot. Temple of the Delians/Great Temple was the largest. Temple of the Athenians. The Poros Temple.
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What remains of the oldest temple of Apollo-built by the Athenians in the late 6th century BC
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Temple of Artemis. Dedicated to the twin sister of Apollo. Another important place of worship on Delos. For some reason it appears I didn't take any pictures of this or they simply were lost.
Portico of Philip V of Macedon.
Marketplace of the Competaliasts. A 1st century BC square used by the island's trade unions. Roman guildsmen. Evidence that society on Delos was made up of a number of merchant associations.
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Sacred Way. Paved road 45' wide. Lined with marble bases.
House of Dionysos. Stunning mosaic discovered that shows the god of wine and theater. Original in the Delos Museum. This is a replica.
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| Postcard |
Ancient Theater. Could hold up to 5000 people. Important part of cultural life of the island. Mostly in ruins but I was able to imagine how it once was.
House of the Lake. Has a nicely preserved mosaic with simple geometric patterns . The ancient stucco still remains on parts of its walls.
House of Masks. Partly restored. A large complex near an outdoor cistern. Its interior floor is covered by a beautiful mosaic. In the center Dionysus is riding a tiger. Shows what life here was like in the distant past.
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How it looked before the colors faded over time
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House of the Dolphins. Mosaic shows the Phoenician goddess Tanit.
Temple of Isis. Located in the Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods. The temple is partially restored.
Temple of Hera. Around 500 BC. It has a cella and pronaos with 2 columns in antis on the front facade.
House of the Trident. Has lovely mosaics.
The koinon of Poseidon.
Base of the Colossus of Naxos.
Building of the Poseidoniasts. Built in the 2nd century BC as a religious and commercial center as well as a meeting place and club house for merchants, shipowners, and warehouse owners from Berytus/Beirut the great commercial city of ancient Syria.
Some other pictures of Delos.
I think we have seen all we want to see. I'm tired. It's hot. We have just enough time-if we hurry-to catch the 1:30 pm boat back to Mykonos. Original plan was to stay until the 3:00 pm boat but we've decided to leave now.
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Leaving Delos
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Arriving back to Mykonos town
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Back in Mykonos town I stop by the store where I saw a caftan I liked. She has been able to get the spots out! I'm very happy. I get this caftan half price 18€. Taxi back to our hotel 4€. Light lunch. Greek salad, coke, Mythos beer. Relax by the pool rest of the afternoon.
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Caftan I bought
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| Lunch by the pool |
KATERINA'S. Dinner. Located in Little Venice. We get a table with a pretty view. Richard orders the lamb souvlaki and I opt for the moussaka. Coffee, draft German beer. Dessert-we shared baklava. Cost without tip 42€. Food was tasty and service was friendly and prompt.
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Dinner
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| View from our table |
After diner we decide to try to find the island mascot Petros the Pelican. Weather has gotten nasty. Light rain and very windy. Went to Nikos Taverna where he is known to hang out but no sign of the pelican. He's too smart to be out in this weather! Walking the narrow lanes I come upon a store that sells almond biscuits-10€. I also bought some postcards of Delos. Taxi back to our hotel 4€. Packed as we are leaving tomorrow. Sent an e-mail to Atrina where we will stay on Santorini to let them know our arrival time. Going to be sad to leave here. Hotel Tagoo really treats you like family. And their pool is fabulous. Spectacular sunsets. Comfortable bedding. I could go on and on. I guess I now know why it was recommended to make a booking to stay here 6 months ahead of your arrival date!
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