Delphi Panorama

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After a conducted brief break we had a walk through the area of the site that was open for viewing and gained some impression of what it must have looked like all those centuries ago. Our access to the higher part of the archaeological site was barred because of possible rock falls but we obtained great views down the valley to the athletic track and also up the sheer sides of Mount Parnassus. The ochre colour was ubiquitous in the countryside and the ...

Day... (Giving up on this - no longer accurate as have failed to count no. of days spent some places!)


So nice, we decide to spend another day here. Lyn wants to go and look around the town, and I am keen to get my boots on and do a bit of proper walking. It's a fine day and there is a short-ish trek up to the Throne of Apollo up behind the town.
I set off in fine fettle: excellent path ...

... Ruins of Temple of Apollo even more striking. The natural landscape alone is breathtaking: 8,000 years of recorded history inflates the impression manyfold. The things they assembled here, with their technology & transportation, just beggar belief!
A glass of chilled retsina to watch the precious sun go down prompts reflection on the many centuries of human (and otherwordly) strife and struggle in this magical land. 
 Have really arrived, at last!

... us to give us the latest news and pictures as they see it on TV.



I try to forget the incident for a couple of minutes, and I take a couple of photos from the round area until we get that phone call telling us that everything is ok.



Kamena Vourla is a tourist costal area. Both Greeks and foreigners visit it the whole year round. A few kms from this village ...

... on the edge of the mountain and eat some delicious greek meals in the breathtaking view. Wake up in the morning, and go walk on the streets. It is not so hot early in the morning and you'll find it even more pleasing than in the night. If you go there in winter, keep in mind that in Parnassos, which is higher in the mountain, you will find the best greek location for winter sports.

... and it does not require the imagination to transport yourself back in time. The ancient sacred way is paved with massive white stones and bound on both sides by alters, temples, and oracles. There is a large theater and stadium.
Infront of the treasury of Athens, Florence reads and finishes the Odyssey. It is a wonderful place to complete such a epic book.
Next we are off to Italy and the Roman empire is on the horizon
JK

Talked to my dad before I left Athens and he really urged me to go see ancient Delphi. He said it was one of his favorite spots on his Euro trip when he was my age. Caught the 4 hour bus from Athens, through the mountains to Delphi. On the bus I met two french girls who kept me company for the rest of my time there. Set up my tent at the campgrounds and headed back to visit the monuments. Started in the museum, then worked my way to Apollo's ...

We left beautiful Hermes Hotel for Delphi early in the morning. Despite the summer heat, we were excitied to hear the stories of the ancient oracles. Delphi used to be regarded as the centre of the world by the ancient Greeks. It feels like Journey to the centre of the earth.... My shot with Uncle Warren... the jolly good fellow! We visited the Temple ...

... the only gold and ivory statues that survive from ancient Greece and an authentic bronze statue from that time. Both were fairly common back then, but were either so valuable or so reusable that not many have survived till the present day. There was a series of statues from the 4th century B.C. dedicated by the overlooker of the sanctuary which depicted him, his ancestors, and his descendents all the way back to Apollo. I thought it was funny that someone would donate a statue of ...