Ruins of Delos and a Night in Mikano
A large ship pulled in and out early this morning at 2:00 am tossing the boats around and waking everyone from sleep. I came up to the cockpit to see what was going on and was in good company as skippers up and down the quay, including our own, were checking their lines and raising their planks. This is probably a nightly occurrence.We are off to Mikanos. THe clouds have passed. We never experienced thunder storms or rain yesterday. We have a good breeze today and a few white caps. The sails are raised.
I spell him awhile. It feels nice to be back on the helm.
Rory, Chris and Natty are raising and trimming the sails. We are all reading our books and lounging about as we sail toward Delos, a small Island off of Mikanos. I enjoy sitting on the dinghy bottom on the bow with my back against the mast. I've missed this.
The dinghy holds five, and Cass needs to go to help paddle. Rory, Cass, Russ, Natty, and Matty go next. I stay back. Perhaps I've seen enough ruins and the idea of being alone is appealing to me...although I'm a bit wary. Seems that in the past all sorts of crazy things happen when I am at anchor alone. Someone always comes too close or pulls up the anchor
Rory and Cass paddle back, and we move the boat to an empty spot on the dock, only to be told that we have to move it when the ferry arrives. I am tempted once we are on the dock to explore the ruins, but no sooner thought and the ferry is in sight, so we slip the lines and pull away until the ferry comes in and then stern back into to pick up everyone else.
They had a great time exploring, and Russ took some good photos of these archaeological ruins. Modestly settled 2400 years BCE by early indigenous people, the Mycenaeans built the first city in 1500 BCE. Delos's heyday was 900-68 BCE, when it was believed that Apollo was born here and a temple was raised in his honor in 1000 BCE, bringing people from all over the Greek world to worship. It was declared a free port and became the trading center for the Greek Islands. It rose and fell many times, but between 80 -60 BCE, Delos was attacked by the Mitherites and other invaders.
Our crew arrives in Mikanos late in the day. We med moor in the new harbor as the sun is sinking into the sea.
I watch some fisherman catching their calamari for the evening meal. Our group of seven piles into two taxies, and we spend the evening shopping, walking, looking, and exploring the sights and sounds and of Mikanos.
Russ and I eat at a seaside cafe that is organic, called Nice and Easy. The meal is excellent. We buy gelato afterwards and board the Sea Bus back to the new port.
It's been another sun drenched, aqua marine day.
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