Delos
A week full of images, landscapes and adventures has passed since we embarked the Panorama. The “grand finale” of the week was our visit to Delos Island. Early in the morning we had a short Zodiac ride ashore. A conspiracy of wind and sun offered us the perfect conditions for touring Delos in October.
The tranquility of the scenery explains why Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis, was sent here to give birth to her twins. Since that moment, the course of history for this island was changed forever. Despite its arid and barren landscape, Delos “flourished” for over 1,000 years and became the “navel” of the Cyclades. Our guides Gemma and Effie took us through history, and we heard how Delos Harbor had become the wealthiest of the Mediterranean, with tons of merchandise being exported from its port. It also evolved into the biggest slave bazaar! Unemployment was definitely not an issue then . . . great mansions were built to accommodate the wealthy families and popular mosaic artists were hired to decorate them with beautiful floors. Several temples were erected for Apollo’s worship, and even more agoras (market places) where residents could buy all kinds of different local or imported products.
A short stop at the museum gave us the opportunity to admire some original artifacts, like the very popular lions, mosaic floors, statues and pottery that are no longer exposed outdoors. Our visit concluded at the ancient theater, near the residential area. Some of our more daring guests climbed to the top of Mount Cynthos to take panoramic photos of our ship.
Before lunch we enjoyed a final swim in the Aegean Sea, which was rather refreshing. We then pulled anchor and set sail for Piraeus, which is almost eight hours from Delos. And because a week is never enough in Greece to see and learn everything past to present, we finished with an informal question and answer session, trying to figure out what made this country so famous worldwide for thousands of years.
And then for our farewell cocktail party, Captain Britzolakis brought the ship under the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Like all ships and crew members in the ancient past, we thanked the God for safe sailing and a happy return back home by pouring some wine into the sea. This voyage was the last of the season, and everybody made wishes for a “happy winter” and a promise to return to the country that gave us this marvelous journey.
