Athens Delphi and more 1 and 2nd October 2010

We finished our cruise in Athens on Friday after a wonderful day on Crete and Santorini. I loved Santorini although it was a very hair raising ride in the bus around a winding road that went up a very sheer cliff---scary moments but I'm becoming used to them on this trip---faced all my fears on this trip!! Santorini was so beautiful. The bus dropped us at the top and we walked through little narrow lanes winding along passed the cliff top. Strange to think we are actually on a volcano!! They believe this is where Atlantis was before a major earthquake caused it to slide into the sea---up there you can imagine it too---for you Liz!!! Loved the views from here---very spectacular of white houses, blue domes and all cave houses clinging to a sheer cliff!!!

Cave houses and hotels Santorini

Church Santorini

Sue on the cliffs Santorini!!

Loved this place----a touch of heaven here except for the fact we had to come down in a cable car!!! Cant believe I did it again----only with Brenda's help and encouragement!! The only other way down was on a donkey trail----sooooo steep!! Also not covered by insurance as most people end up down the hill before the donkeys!!! Anyway it was pretty fast and better than a donkey for sure!!

Brenda and Sue at Apollo's Temple Delphi.

When we disembarked at Athens we caught a coach at 7.30am and headed for Delphi. I have always wanted to visit this site and it is in a very beautiful part of Greece!! Apollo sure knew how to pick his place!!! This was excellent but again up a very steep slope and we had to walk on marble stairs that were very slippery so combined with the heat this was a difficult climb!! But well worth it!! Apollo's temple is quite spectacular with its beautiful Ionic columns. Loved the Museum here---so many examples of statues in Classicism and realism that we are studying in Art Theory. I especially loved The Chariot Racer----so very beautiful!!

We both felt exhausted after our cruise and day at Delphi so we are relaxing at the pool today and enjoying a lovely swim. Feel very safe as there are Police everywhere with machine guns as the Chinese President is staying here!! Inside there are Chinese security men everywhere with ear pieces and looking very conspicuous with there black suits----bit funny really!! Last blog tomorrow!!!!!