Now that we made it to Mikonos and are safely in the marina it is a chance to visit the town and the nearby ancient city of Delos.  First Mikonos.  It is a short (5 Euro) taxi or bus (1.40 Euro) to the old town.  This place is a huge destination for cruise ships and tours.  The town is totally geared to handle the crowds.  At the marina the cruise ships arrange for a convoy of busses to move the passengers to the town.  The waterfront in town is filled with tavernas specializing in good food served efficiently.  Back from the waterfront of the old harbor is a maze of streets with no names that again are filled with cruise ships tourist and shops to sell everything from jewelry, to hats, to souvenirs.  Of course we wanted to find a supermarket and fresh produce.  The supermarkets are small with no produce or meats.  The markets are all delegated to the far reaches of the town, further than we wanted to walk.

 

Anyway the town is well maintained and is the postcard picture of a Greek town.  Narrow stone paved streets with bright whitewashed buildings.  Everything is very well kept and the locals are very pleasant.

 

From the old harbor there are day tripper boats to many places and we chose to visit Delos, the next island.  Delos became a very important city in the early centuries.  Its location is about midway between the Asian – Greece trade routes.  Delos began to establish itself as the main market and distribution center for this part of the Med.  As it grew is importance it built temples, sports centers, annual music and athletic contests, and a very sophisticated city.  It is amazing how many cisterns with water distribution built under the paving stones in the streets.

 

The island of Delos is small but at its peak have about 20,000 inhabitants.  All of this being supported by the large trade route being processed through the city.  The waterfront, not large by today’s standards, was well protected from the local strong winds.

 

As things progressed certain bad things happened and they attributed them to the Gods being mad.  One of the interesting practices became that no births or deaths were allowed on Delos.  If you were going to have a child they shipped you off to the next island to deliver.  Death was also a problem.  They felt that the graves and tombs caused some problems so the twice moved the tombs and eventually required that you died off the island, over to Rhina.

 

As all things around these ancient times other culture and tribes decided to take some of the wealth and raids occurred on the island.  The final devastation was 69 BC when the town was sacked and burned.  Even though some tried to restore the city its time was past.  Most people left and it was abandoned.  Of course many things were looted including some building material which was taken to Mikonos.

 

In the 1800’s the city was “discovered” and the French began excavations and preservation of the site.  Today the work continues.  The site is restricted in visitors, only open from 8:00 till 15:00. 

 

Back to Mikonos for a moment.  We did not tour the island much but it does have some very nice beaches, clothing optional, and small hotels.  The water is crystal clear and the weather, while windy, is usually great.

 

 

Cruise ships at marina

 

 

Other side of quay where small yachts berth

 

 

Mikonos streets.  Taken on a non-cruise ship day

 

 

Wind mills.  There were about 15 windmills in the past

 

 

The local mascot for the town and defender of the Water Closet!

 

 

Lions in Delos.  These are replicated with the originals in the museum.

 

 

Looking across Delos

 

 

One of the statues.  Strange looking guy.

 

 

The theater.  Most of the seats were taken to build things elsewhere

 

 

House of trident.  Mosaic on the floor.

 

 

Another mosaic floor

 

 

Back to Mikonos and the waterfront upon entering the old harbor.