Delos & Mykonos
Early this morning we glided on mirror flat seas to the island of Delos. Situation in the physical and spiritual center of the Cyclades Islands, this proved to be an exciting start to our exploration of the Greek Isles. Stella and Sophia brought to life the culture that built and supported this community inhabited at one time by approximately thirty thousand people. The ruins were impressive. The mere thought that not a scrap of the marble used in the massive statuary and monuments came from the island itself was impressive in of itself, the city at its peak of commerce and population would have been overwhelming. Today the generations of assorted wildflowers and lizards are the remaining inhabitants on Delos, whose populations wax and wane with the seasonal rains.
Taking advantage of the absence of winds, we stopped in a cove along the coast of Rinia and went for an afternoon swim and an investigation of the rocky shoreline in our bright yellow kayaks. The cool Aegean Sea proved a refreshing refuge from the afternoon heat.
Later we came into the port of Mykonos. We strolled along the waterfront, wandering into the labyrinth of cobbled streets. There were no monsters to slay at the end of the street mazes, but there were a couple of Great White Pelicans preening in the doorway of a jewelry shop. Apparently many years ago a fisherman brought an injured pelican into Mykonos and the bird was nursed back to health and fed fish by the local residents. This has continued to today and injured birds, such as the recovered pair we found today, are still being brought to Mykonos for recovery.
As a rosy sun set into a cerulean Aegean, we chose different pathways for our evening. Some of us chose to dine in town and sample the local fare, topping off our evening with a refreshing gelato from a waterfront shop and watching the evening “wildlife” of Mikonos parade by. Others decided that after a day of exploration on Delos, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and the afternoon stroll in Mykonos, they were ready to snuggle into their beds and recharge for another day of discovery.
Early this morning we glided on mirror flat seas to the island of Delos. Situation in the physical and spiritual center of the Cyclades Islands, this proved to be an exciting start to our exploration of the Greek Isles. Stella and Sophia brought to life the culture that built and supported this community inhabited at one time by approximately thirty thousand people. The ruins were impressive. The mere thought that not a scrap of the marble used in the massive statuary and monuments came from the island itself was impressive in of itself, the city at its peak of commerce and population would have been overwhelming. Today the generations of assorted wildflowers and lizards are the remaining inhabitants on Delos, whose populations wax and wane with the seasonal rains.
Taking advantage of the absence of winds, we stopped in a cove along the coast of Rinia and went for an afternoon swim and an investigation of the rocky shoreline in our bright yellow kayaks. The cool Aegean Sea proved a refreshing refuge from the afternoon heat.
Later we came into the port of Mykonos. We strolled along the waterfront, wandering into the labyrinth of cobbled streets. There were no monsters to slay at the end of the street mazes, but there were a couple of Great White Pelicans preening in the doorway of a jewelry shop. Apparently many years ago a fisherman brought an injured pelican into Mykonos and the bird was nursed back to health and fed fish by the local residents. This has continued to today and injured birds, such as the recovered pair we found today, are still being brought to Mykonos for recovery.
As a rosy sun set into a cerulean Aegean, we chose different pathways for our evening. Some of us chose to dine in town and sample the local fare, topping off our evening with a refreshing gelato from a waterfront shop and watching the evening “wildlife” of Mikonos parade by. Others decided that after a day of exploration on Delos, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and the afternoon stroll in Mykonos, they were ready to snuggle into their beds and recharge for another day of discovery.
