We harbored in Souda Bay and got off the boat bright and early for our eight hour excursion to the Palace of Knossos to learn about the Minoan civilization.
Thankfully, the bus was close
This ship was also in port.
Souda Bay is also a military port and there were several Greek military boats anchored here.
Souda Bay. The water in the Aegean Sea is a beautiful blue.
Fortification walls from The Byzantium Occupation
We drove up the coastline 2 1/2 hours to get to Heraklion, the capitol and main port. It was a beautiful drive and gave us a chance to see the sea, the mountains, and the one trillion olive trees that cover this island
Every inch of open land has an olive tree on it. I cannot imagine how they harvest the olives.
We drove through Heraklion to reach the Archeological site of the Palace of Knossos.
According to our guide, this is the oldest paved road in Europe.
Our guide, Soula, exhorting us on the difference in the myth of the minotaur and the reality of what the excavations have found.
This site was first settled about 7000 BC. The first Palace was built in 1900 BC. It was abandoned 1380 - 1100 BC. The Palace of Knossos was the center of the Minoan civilization, from Neolithic to the late Bronze Age.
If you look closely, you can see the double bladed axe carved into the stone.
Replicas of frescos. The originals are in the Archeological Museum.
Acrobatics with a bull. The bull was central to the Minoan Civilization.
The frescos are delicate with peaceful themes. According to the guide, there is no evidence of warfare or fighting in the archeology.
Conjectured to be the Throne room by archeologists
Griffons adorn the walls
Raging bull and olive tree
According to our guide, this is the labyrinth. She didn't convince me.
Open meeting space, unknown purpose
We drove from the Archeological site to this restaurant in a beautiful mountain setting. The weather was perfect.
We enjoyed a delicious meal with our fellow travelers.
Raki, the national drink of Crete. Also known as tsikoudia. I do not recommend. The Cretans seem to consider themselves somewhat independent of Greece. This is the largest island and the people have a strong identity as Cretans.
Oranges and phyllo pastry dessert with honey
We passed this church along the way
Finishing out the day with lobster
The waiters were pushing this drink they called Greek Doctor. It had ouzo and several other liquors. I do not recommend. One sip and call the doctor.
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