Well, as long as history includes the last 72 hours:
Two days ago we visited the National Archaeological Museum here in Athens. Quite a nice collection of Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean artifacts, as well as Geometric, Classical and Roman-era Greek stuff. The only detriment we noted was that a) the museum smelled like they allowed smokers in there about a week ago and they haven't aired it out in about 35 years; and b) the docents were asses. Long story on that one, but I'll save it for later. Suffice it to say that if they have a "don't video this statue" sign, then don't even point your camera at it, even when it's not recording. On a side note, I never understood why some statues shouldn't be taped. Flash photography I understand - video, I do not. I mean, I would even entertain the idea of purchasing a book of some sort in the museum shop. The only one they had that was of any quality cost 100 euro, and weighed about 10 kilos. Anyway.
We visited Cape Sounion yesterday. Awesome sight, and the drive was nice too: beachfront almost all the way. There at the Cape is the Temple of Poseidon, strategically placed 190m above the waters of the Aegean Sea. Didn't quite get to stay until sunset, but we got some nice pics anyway. And we looked for Byron's named carved into one of the columns, but couldn't see it. I did spot a few that were dated as early as 1813. Graffiti seems to be prevelant no matter the era.
Today we visited Epidaurus and Mycenae. Not a great day for travel because the weather has turned chilly and overcast. However, the bright spot is that on overcast days, photo color is more true. Anyway, Mycenae was particularly interesting for me because I studied that culture and period in college. It was pretty damn cool walking amidst walls that were built in 1400BCE - and even touching the walls! Epidaurus was ok, but because the rest of our travel group got cold we only spent about 30 minutes there. I did take some cool video of the "acoustically perfect" amphitheatre there. I'll say this. It's probably not acoustically perfect, but it's acoustically interesting.
Anyway, tomorrow it's on to Delphi, and then Monday we're headed home! Here's some pics:
1. Here we have gold funerary mask, excavated by Schliemann in Mycenae. He thought it was Agamemnon, but it's apparently some unknown dude who died 300 years before Aggy.
2. The Cyclopean walls of Mycenae. These blocks are pretty large and hefty.
3. The amphitheatre at Epidaurus. Steph's about halfway up. I, being a man, went all the way to the top. :)
4. A picture of the Corinth Canal. I did forget to mention we went there too. BTW, there's a stand on the roadside where you can get good leather there.
5. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
