Delphi is the mythological site that was the home of the most important Oracle in Greece. The most wealthy, or those who could afford the pilgrimage, would venture to Delphi to learn from the Oracle, their future. One of the most common philosophies we have gleaned from here is "Know thy self." This place is a cross between the beauty and hilltop/side of Assisi and the ruins of the Roman Forum with a side dish of Pompeii. It's about 3 hours outside of Athens by bus, which we were glad for. Our legs are aching and we are tired. It's also miserably hot. 100+ and while the AC in our rooms are GREAT the one on the bus and everywhere else in town would be old aunt Sally, if they had a name. We journeyed through the armpit and several mountain ranges today which took us away from the Aegean sea and closer to the Ionian Sea. The scenery became very lush and breathtaking while winding through the mountains. Delphi is isolated like Assisi in Italy with nothing around on the side of Mt. Parnassus. It's staged in several levels, starting with the Agora (shopping market) a Treasury (to house the treasures brought to the Oracle), a theater, tholos, hippodrome, and the castalian spring that is supposed to provide clarity in your life if you drink from here. We shall remain without clarity as it was bloody hot and to gain this wisdom, we would have had to walk 20 minutes in the opposite direction of our destination. If the panoramic from the Acropolis in Athens was breathtaking, this is indescribable other than through photos or a visit in person yourself. It was beautiful no matter where we looked as there are scattered ruins and lush mountains at every turn and elevation.
There is a beautiful modern museum connected to the entry level of the ancient Delphi. Mom, Katy, Tom and I meandered the trail together towards the museum which is a shaded stone trail that connects the old to the new. The museum is not large but it's large in spirit, housing much of the most precious pieces that have been excavated from the site to protect it. the most impressive is without doubt, the Naxian Sphinx.
Derek managed to get in to trouble but with my help. Climbing on to ancient stones and tempting his fate as one wrong move and Derek wouldn't need an Oracle of any kind. However, the photo I snapped while the guide was insisting that he get down, is awesome and I wish I had been the one on the rock and he had snapped the pic.
Many many photo ops here and tons of exercise. Thank GOD there really are Buccees in Greece and we made a pit stop there to unload and refuel and snap some pics of us looking like the locals.
Tomorrow we set sail for Mykonos. Time for bed and up early to pack and have another yummy breakfast and bid the Oceanis adieu. Stay tuned...
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