It was beautiful...after a 4am start to yesterday, today we slept in, and didn't leave our room until about 11am. We were due for some laundry to be done, so on our way to the bus stop to Knossos we stopped and had some laundry done.
We caught a 12:20 bus to Knossos, which is about 5km south of Heraklion, where we are staying. The site is an ancient site that predates almost all other ancient cultures, other than the Sumerians. The site, belonging to the Minoans, was discovered by Arther Evans, a Brit from the late 19th century and the early 20th century. He was very wealthy, and had heard rumor of a labyrinth on the island of Crete (from the myth of King Minos and the Minotaur) and purchased a LOT of land to start digging it up to try to find it. He didn't find the labyrinth, but a palace (the Palace of Knossos) and these ancient ruins. Truth be told, the ruins they really do not know much about because they have been unable to decipher the writings they have found. Most of the glyphs, called "Linear A", have not been deciphered, so they actually don't even know if they people were called "Minoans" - this was just a name given to them.
We took a tour while there and met 2 really nice couples - one from San Francisco, and another from Romania. It was a tour led by an English-speaking Greek, Niki, who did a great job. After this we went to the Museum, back in Heraklion, and looked at many of the relics and frescoes from the site.
We then made our way back to the hotel for some rest. Around 7 we left to walk the boardwalk in front of the hotel and take some pictures in the sunset. Tomorrow we will be leaving to Chania, where we will be staying for 2 or 3 nights, before heading to Santorini.
You are getting to see so many sites and beautiful places. How is Mike finding the food? It doesn't look like you are having any problems with getting around and the language. I am loving your photos and blog, thank you for taking the time to keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteWe had Heather, Adam, Lorraine and Richard, and Jean Neville out at the lake yesterday, great day. Lorraine and I even got up for a ski (we are quite proud of ourselves). On Friday Elliott, Victoria and family are coming out for a lake day. Bella had a bath... she is fine.
Have fun and stay safe. Love Mom
Mike is doing fine with the food - he is convinced that when we went to Thailand he caught something on the airplane.
DeleteMost people speak English, so we really haven't learned any Greek. It's kind of sad, but very nice at the same time.
It looks like you're going to be getting some good weather now! Enjoy the skiing!
...Did Bella roll in something??? She often rolls in dead worms.
Glad you got to enjoy some time at the beach and read! I'm sure you are finding the Undomestic Goddess funny?? We are heading out to the lake tomorrow - should be fun :) and then we are attempting our first camping trip for one night in Vanderhoof at the 3D archery shoot... Miss you already! Love Colleen
ReplyDeleteHope the camping trip goes well!
DeleteCan you remember some of the things we learned at university? It must be pretty cool to see some of the stuff we learned about.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember very much, but I do remember a lot of the pictures and frescoes.
DeleteAdam gave Bella a swimming lesson yesterday. She is getting better already. Don't worry. Adam was a very good teacher.
ReplyDeleteBe nice to Bella...she must be terrified! Is she using Dexter's life jacket? She doesn't know to use her back legs.
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