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Cuba - More than old cars
We were allowed to sleep in as the wake up calls were 0730. The (more expensive) hotel for the 1st class travellers of our group was in town. After dropping them off we had to drive through the town then out for a couple of kms to find a turn around site for the bus. Then it was back to the town but at the entry to the town there was a road up the hill. While we could not see the view last night we certainly could this morning. We think we have done better than them both nights so far! During the night there was lightening and thunder which seemed to be in the hotel. By morning it had stopped but the rain persisted.
Enough of that, now off to the site which was where the bus turned around yesterday. To the ancient Greeks Delphi was the centre of the world. Apparently Zeus set 2 eagles off, one from each side of the world and they crossed at Delphi. We really like the Greek myths and the Greeks along with our guide had plenty of them.
It was into the museum before visiting Ancient Delphi which was good as it was still raining quite hard. By the time we got out the rain had at least stopped. Unfortunately there were too many groups in the museum which made it difficult to take in all that we were being told however most of the them had gone by the time we had a free half hour to roam around on our own. As with all the museums we have been in there is such a variety of items to see from huge statues to miniature ones, pieces of buildings, pictures of what the area looked like and more. It really is awesome. To add to the initial chaos there was also a group of researchers in one of the rooms who were determining the original colours of the items.
The archeological site was great albeit on the side of a mountain. As well as an unusual brick and marble wall there was the Sikyonian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo, a small amphitheatre, and at the top a stadium. Luckily for Bruce we were not allowed onto the stadium or he would have had to go for another run albeit not an Olympic one! Unlike the stadium at Olympia this one had seating but only for 5,000.
Next stop was Thermopylae where an alliance of Greek states (under King Leonidas from Spartan) took on the Persians (under King Xerxes) in 480 BC. About 1,500 Greeks were left as a rear guard to defend the pass from over 100,000 Persians. They defended it successfully for about 3 days when a traitor showed the Persians how to outflank them. Although the Persians were successful here they never conquered Athens.
As we headed to our next overnight stay we had a coffee and WC stop on the way. At this stop were a number of bus loads of refugees/immigrants doing the same as us but heading in the opposite direction. This did not appear to be a government controlled migration but one where the people had bought bus tickets.
Finally arriving at our hotel we were immediately herded off to dinner then crashed ready for an early start in the morning. Our internet was not good at this hotel as we were at the end of one of the corridors. This was a real nuisance as we needed to contact the owners of the apartment in Athens to arrange pick up. To make matters worse we have been told that the French President is visiting in Athens today and tomorrow and many of the streets in central Athens will be closed. Our guide is not sure how this is going to affect the ability to drop us off centrally. Apparently the visit is to discuss the refugee issue.
Enough of that, now off to the site which was where the bus turned around yesterday. To the ancient Greeks Delphi was the centre of the world. Apparently Zeus set 2 eagles off, one from each side of the world and they crossed at Delphi. We really like the Greek myths and the Greeks along with our guide had plenty of them.
It was into the museum before visiting Ancient Delphi which was good as it was still raining quite hard. By the time we got out the rain had at least stopped. Unfortunately there were too many groups in the museum which made it difficult to take in all that we were being told however most of the them had gone by the time we had a free half hour to roam around on our own. As with all the museums we have been in there is such a variety of items to see from huge statues to miniature ones, pieces of buildings, pictures of what the area looked like and more. It really is awesome. To add to the initial chaos there was also a group of researchers in one of the rooms who were determining the original colours of the items.
The archeological site was great albeit on the side of a mountain. As well as an unusual brick and marble wall there was the Sikyonian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo, a small amphitheatre, and at the top a stadium. Luckily for Bruce we were not allowed onto the stadium or he would have had to go for another run albeit not an Olympic one! Unlike the stadium at Olympia this one had seating but only for 5,000.
Next stop was Thermopylae where an alliance of Greek states (under King Leonidas from Spartan) took on the Persians (under King Xerxes) in 480 BC. About 1,500 Greeks were left as a rear guard to defend the pass from over 100,000 Persians. They defended it successfully for about 3 days when a traitor showed the Persians how to outflank them. Although the Persians were successful here they never conquered Athens.
As we headed to our next overnight stay we had a coffee and WC stop on the way. At this stop were a number of bus loads of refugees/immigrants doing the same as us but heading in the opposite direction. This did not appear to be a government controlled migration but one where the people had bought bus tickets.
Finally arriving at our hotel we were immediately herded off to dinner then crashed ready for an early start in the morning. Our internet was not good at this hotel as we were at the end of one of the corridors. This was a real nuisance as we needed to contact the owners of the apartment in Athens to arrange pick up. To make matters worse we have been told that the French President is visiting in Athens today and tomorrow and many of the streets in central Athens will be closed. Our guide is not sure how this is going to affect the ability to drop us off centrally. Apparently the visit is to discuss the refugee issue.
- comments
Kath What a busy and interesting trip you are having. You will need this blog when you get home to help you remember what you saw and where you saw it. Really enjoying travelling along with you and I'm sure everyone who is getting the blog appreciate how much time it must take. Photos are just outstanding.
Roslyn That's a mighty lot of olive oil there....
Gael Wow. This is gorgeous. Pretty arty-farty in fact!
Gael Very cute!
Gael Amazed to see the eye lashes!
Gael Agree with Kath. Couldn't have expressed it better myself. Thanks so much Bruce and Anne. I can tell with this particular post how interesting you are finding this segment of your journey. The museums sound really awesome. And the fantastic photos verify it!