GREECE - Landscape and Culture in Change, Klaus Metzger [comprehension books .TXT] 📗

Apollo (often represented with the dolphin) took a fight with Python (the serpent son of Gaia) which won him expelled them from the shrine and thus founded a new cult. The high priestess called Pythia from now on. The site and the oracle was named in reference to the god Apollo, who is often depicted as or with dolphins, Delphi. The site was discovered about 100 years ago. The activity of the Oracle of Delphi was until 390 AC. By the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I. prepares an end. But even today, Delphi is visited by thousands of tourists. Not the prophecy sake, but to stand on mystical historic ground in consciousness.

 

 

                   Sanctuary of Athena 

 

So, now it is time for a bath and pool tag in our resort. However, you can feel here in Evia the impact of the fall storms that have caused havoc in Crete. After two days, but it is us as an active couple (50+) boring and we look forward to the next part of our trip package.

 

We already start in the early morning and our goal is Athens. Of the 11 million Greeks who live in Greece, have about 4 million to her home in the Athens area. A three-room apartment (65 m²) costs about 500, - Euro rent (without extra costs). Assuming that the average Greek only 800, - Euro earned net, so you can imagine that life in this vibrant city is only possible if a family both partners work and strive for affordable housing. Overall, it is built wherever space - therefore, it's cramped everywhere right.

 

 

                    Changing of the guard 

 

The most famous destination is the Acropolis with the Parthenon (Temple). Here was worshiped the goddess Athena (BC. 500) already in the early historic period was also the name of the city. If we look into the northern direction from the Acropolis, so we can see the Areopagus. In the early days of Athens, he served as the venue of political and judicial decisions. Later, the platform of this small, mountainous increase was the apostle Paul. Paul gladly gathered people around him, he could preach the gospel. Not always successful with that, he left Athens to continue in Corinth with his Great Commission. Let our gaze wander towards the east, we see the Hephaestus Temple - built on the Agoraios Colonus. The temple is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Greece and was 449 BC. Built in the Doric style. The Doric style is easy to recognize with the part of the of capitals (upper end of the column). As the "Doric" square accounts are referred to as ionic capitals with worm-patterns are provided right and left.

 

 

                                 The Parthenon

 

 It is once again time for a day at the pool. Despite the wind and not very hot temperatures we can "dangle souls" our. That reminds me of how nice it is to have a partner by your side, with which one can reflect all the impressions. 

 

The next excursion takes us to the marathon level. Here the decisive battle of the Greeks against the Persians took 490 BC. The joyful news of the victory of the Greeks over the Persians was brought by a runner to Athens. He put back to a distance 42.2 km - announced the news of the victory - then burst in exhaustion and died. Because of this calamitous event, we run here in memory of and as a reminder for us one kilometer each other in the footsteps of ancient history - but really just a kilometer! A very beautiful sight when it is created here Marathon reservoir lake. The dam is entirely covered with marble and can be reached by car or bus just cross each in one direction.

 

 

                              Corinth Canal 

 

I would now like to make you familiar with the Corinth Canal. He was dug in the ground and is exactly 6,343 m long, 25 m wide and its walls are up to 80 m high. Only small ships can only 8 m deep channel happen. The canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. French-led the construction of the canal was completed in 1893. Corinth itself is a small provincial town not very significant today. She has been rebuilt from 1858, as part of the original Corinth have been several times by earthquakes. But there are still remnants of Ancient Corinth, whose visit worthwhile.  

 

Ancient Corinth was famous for its pottery and bronze wares. In the period from 630 to 590 BC Corinth was of Periander, one of the seven sages of antiquity governed, and here the form of Doric temples and pillars was done. In the year 146 BC the city was destroyed by the Roman general Mummius and built 100 years later by Caesar again. The Apostle Paul preached about 2½ years the gospel and Ancient Corinth at that time had more than 300,000 inhabitants. On the excavation site are the remains of the Apollo temple, the temple of Hera, the porticoes temple leave - dedicated to the Octavia (daughter of the Roman general Gaius Octavius Herrns) - admire the theater and the source of Glauce house.

 

 

                   The Lion Gate of Mycenae 

 

Let's now after about 10 days to the end of our cultural journey. It leads us to Mycenae and the excavation sites, which Heinrich Schliemann excavated in 1876 and the world public made consistently that. By entering this system, we first pass through the great Lion Gate, then the atmosphere of old Greek myths affect us. Here we are now the remains of the palace of the legendary king Agamemnon and his wife Klythemnestra (about 1300 BC). Inspired by the Iliad of Homer, describing the Trojan War, was here in 1876 Heinrich Schliemann found it. World famous discovery of the golden death mask of Agamemnon has made him. It is now on display at the National Museum of Athens. A double row of standing stone panels today formed the ring of the royal tombs. However, fully preserved only the north gate.

 

After a strenuous program we let the "soul dangle in Nafplio". Nafplio is situated approximately 40 km from Mycenae and is the most beautiful town on the Greek mainland. The place is evidence of historical events. Since the 7th century AD Nafplio was a port city of Argos region was settled by the Romans, conquered by the Byzantines from 1246 to 1387 here governed the Franks and were replaced in 1540 by the Venetians in 1828 Nafplio was the first capital of the new Greece. As worth a climb - who else likes or can - fortress Palamidi (walk) -  but also the elevator to the fortress Acronauplia. From the port, we can see the small island fortress Bourzdi see who should protectively guard the bay in the 15th century.Today, Nafplio is a much visited and appreciated holiday destination in Greece, but also calls its prices. We treated ourselves to wind down the day in Nafplio a delicious big icecreme and then make our way to the base: to Evia.

 

We now have two more days to exchange experiences and also look forward to the journey home. With a bottle of house wine as a parting gift of the small hotel where we had our base quarters covered is out and check. The return trip designed, like the arrival - only in reverse order: Nea Styra - Evia Ferry Port - Agia Marina - Athens - Frankfurt - Hannover - at home!

 

I hope you get some information by us who you Greece, Ancient or just the theme "Holiday for 50+" brought closer.

 

2014 - the monks from the Greek mountain ATHOS

 

                       Monk of Mount Athos 

 

This time JUTTA had in choosing our destination a very lucky hand: she chose an area (Chalkidiki), which we did not know. We were surprised at how little the financial crisis had an impact on a clearly visible manner in this part of Greece. Since the Greeks are still dependent on the income of the tourists, we received an excellent treatment for the first time and excellent service. The landscape showed striking green. Nowhere unfinished buildings were to be seen. Everything made a very neat impression. This showed us the impressive round trip by bus across the peninsula Sithonia (middle finger). And the culture came with the boat trip to Mount Athos not too short. But more of that later! 

 

 

                                  Map

 

 As I have described elsewhere, we flew on Sunday, 7 September 2014, from Hannover to Thessalonki, where we arrived after 2.5 hours of flight time. Although we got up at 4 clock, we felt fresh and rested. Almost 30 years ago (1986) I was at the border control Thessaloniki by car a "torture" of more than 2,400 km beyond me! And it always lacked another 600 km to the Peloponnese. Our Tranferbus needed from the airport again 3.5 hours until we arrived at Metamofosis Blue Dolphin Hotel (at the upper end of the Sithonia peninsula). 

 

Although it was raining, we immediately gained a very good impression of the lush sprawling hotel complex, through which we went on our way to our house. The many colorful flowers waiting for the interested photographers. And beautiful summer days we had plenty in this holiday week.

 

 

               From the beach walk to the supermarket

 

 We are used to provide us with drinks themselves. In small kiosk at the hotel there was no alcoholic beverages. A simple supermarket was located about 2 km (direction Metamorphosis, which was 5 km away) in a camp which was obviously getting old. Since this was almost at the water has always been connected with a beautiful beach walk for the beverage purchase for me.

 

 

                       Coastal at the supermarket 

 

The hotel was very isolated and the nearest town was Metamorphosis. We had no trouble. Others complained about the internet boredom that in the "loneliness" came over a few days. We enjoyed the rest of our chairs in the sun, swam some laps in some cool water of the swimming pool and - if us the midday heat to very tormented - we looked for a shady spot under the palm trees. In the early afternoon - after we had tanked enough sun - we moved forward to the cool room. There we enjoyed the peace and quiet was disturbed, however, 20 to 23 clock by loud disco music.

 

 

                                  Swimmingpool

 

 

                                  Sunset

 

 

                        Restaurant in the evening 

 

The dinner was followed always by the same ritual: the restaurant, which was on the first floor, the dinner started at 19 clock. Since the seats were not reserved and we preferred a seat above the swimming pool overlooking the glorious sunsets over the Gulf of Kassandra, we placed us mutually at the entrance to the dining room. After we had reserved our table, we went to the rich buffet arranged. It always tasted excellent.

 

 

                     Mount Athos (2033 m)

 

 After an extensive, multi-day relaxation we were looking forward on Wednesday, 10 September 2014, on the boat trip to Mount Athos. The Holy Mount Athos is an Orthodox monastic republic with autonomous status under Greek sovereignty in Greece. It is located along the eastern peninsula of Chalkidiki peninsula. The territory covers around 336