Wednesday, April 19, 2017

… to Heraklion, Crete …

… part of Greece. We walked around the streets for a little while before taking the hop on bus to navigate this fortified Greek city, strategically located on the island of Crete. The harbor was initially constructed by the Venetians, and much of the original structure remains. In the sketch, the old original harbor is pictured on top, with the current harbor on the bottom.

DSC04434 (800x774)  DSC04428 (800x538)

We came across a young man playing the accordion, which reminded Frank of his own accordion lessons as a boy. Fresh fruit and vegetables were for sale everywhere, and fragrant flowering trees lined the streets.

  DSC04431 (621x800)  DSC04435 (800x600)

DSC04439 (612x800)  DSC04440 (540x800)  DSC04445 (636x800)

DSC04513 (600x800)  DSC04464 (2) (800x558) 

Reflecting current issues, the following timely message appeared in different forms on various walls. A courtyard was filled with books, apparently part of a “book bazaar.” Loved seeing this here, like the books for free in Mumbai.

DSC04453 (600x800)  DSC04454 (800x599)

From the bus, a view of the lovely harbor and the Venetian Castle Koules, a well-loved landmark.

DSC04477 (800x600)  DSC04489 (800x591)

The highlight of the bus ride was the trip to the site of Knossos, through the countryside, past a lovely Greek Orthodox chapel, outside the city proper. Knossos was the mythical location of the maze in which the minotaur (half man, half bull) of ancient legend was imprisoned. According to the legend, the city of Athens provided several young men each year as a sacrifice to the minotaur, and one of these youths finally slayed the minotaur and escaped from the maze. It’s easy to see the giant mazes on the hillsides at Knossos!

DSC04518 (800x600)  DSC04574 (800x480)

It was another blue-sky day in a beautiful Greek city, with delicious food and sweet-smelling breezes. Mmmm, Greece – can’t wait to visit again!

No comments:

Post a Comment