Delos and Mykonos Islands
The Panorama remained dockside in the Harbor of Naxos Island until the wee hours of the morning. Quietly, the Captain and deck crew lifted the anchor and began the short passage to Delos Island, arriving at our anchorage just as breakfast started. Soon after, we began preparations for our day in the center of the Cycladic Islands.
Delos was the mythical birthplace of Apollo the sun god and his Sister Artemis, goddess of animals and the hunt. Founded as a sacred place of worship in about 1000 BC, Delos became a pilgrimage destination and was the center of worship in the Cyclades starting as early as 700 BC. The name Cyclades refers to a cycle or circle of islands that surround Delos Island, hence, making it the center of the Cycladic world. It remains to this day, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.
A local tender arrived to the Panorama just before 9:00am and ferried our group ashore to the main dock on Delos. From there we were divided into two groups and made our way to the archaeological site; littered with ruins this site was a ghostly reminder of the 30,000 people who once called this tiny island home. Through the eyes and words of our Greek guides, the world that was once Delos was recreated for us to explore. The fame and wealth of Delos derived from the presence of Apollo and all the most important buildings centered in the Sanctuary which occupied the middle of the low lying land very close to the harbor. Today’s visitor lands at the same spot as the ancient visitors did on the northwest shore, at the site of the ancient harbor. A once vibrant Italian marketplace led to the sacred way, facing the large temple to Apollo. Stories continued to be told of the great wealth of this once free port of Delos. We walked further into the site finally standing on the Terrace of the Lions one of the most famous sections of the archaeological site. The Naxians of Naxos Island erected the lions at the end of the seventh century BC. The lions are seated on their haunches, facing east, their gaze fixed on the Sacred Lake where the sun god Apollo was born.
Our morning was passing very quickly. Midmorning we began making our way towards the museum, which houses many of the important archaeological pieces found on this island, and has been designated as a protected site. Some free time was given for refreshments and enough time to spend looking at the original Naxian lions, the mosaics, sculptures, jewelry and many basic household items important to a house on Delos several thousand years ago.
We gathered again outside the museum and took a short walk into the residential district of Delos Island. Houses were described, along with cisterns for storing water, the piping systems in the houses and even the walls which still bore small remnants of the stucco that once covered the insides of each dwelling. We finished our tour in the main theatre, which remains on the same bluff it was built on in the third century BC. The main floor, or orchestra, retains its original circular shape. In front of it stood a square building with columns on all four sides, a unique example amongst ancient theatres. The theatre could accommodate over 5,000 spectators. Our small group was only seated in a section of the very front seats with marble backs, designated for dignitaries, where we could rest a moment and imagine what life might have been like in the third century BC.
All too soon it was time for us to make our way back to the old port where our tender was waiting to return us to the Panorama. Upon arrival, lunch was served and our expedition leader presented plans for our afternoon. We would be arriving in the late afternoon at the new port of Mykonos. From there would take a bus a short ride into the old port and center of the main town of Mykonos Island. Our Greek guides Elli and Stella would take us on a short walking tour of one of the more well known islands of the Cyclades, before giving us some free time to wander the maze of streets that make up this extremely well visited town and island. The main street of old town makes a horseshoe shape through a labyrinth of tiny alleyways filled with shops, coffee shops, Greek Orthodox Churches, restaurants and bars. The resident White pelican was napping outside one restaurant, a funeral procession moved slowly through town, and many a corner, table, window and step held the ubiquitous cat watching the world pass by. Many of us were called to a café for coffee, tea, a local beer or wine, giving us a chance to relax and watch the world that makes up Mykonos pass by our tables.
Retracing our steps we returned to the new port by bus and the Panorama tied up dockside. The galley staff was in full preparations for the Greek party. Ouzo and grilled Octopus were being brought to the lounge as well-known Greek music filled the ship. Lively conversation filled the upstairs lounge! Our expedition leader called everyone to the dining room for a Greek buffet dinner including many Greek specialties, which of course, was followed by Greek dancing, led by our Captain. The music continued, changing to more lively tunes as our entire group got up and danced around the dining room in true Greek style. We had been welcomed into a country famous for its hospitality and on this night, we not only learned about many of the delicacies of Greece from our chefs and hotel manager, we learned about sharing the floor by taking each in hand, in a gift of friendship and dance.
