Greece: Delphi

On Thursday transportation was back up and running, so we made our way to Delphi, a short bus ride away.

 A charming street in downtown Delphi.

 Breathtaking view of the landscape, with Mt Parnassus on the left.  In antiquity, Delphi was the site of the Delphic Oracle, as well as an important center of worship for the god Apollo.  Our bus ride took about 3 hours from Athens and made its way along small, winding roads.  It's amazing to think about those in antiquity who made the trek by foot, how long it must have taken them, and the path they covered over the rugged terrain.

 A whole sanctuary was built in the hills, including a massive temple to Apollo, a stadium, a theater, and several treasuries, among other things.

Doric columns from the Temple of Apollo.

Original location of the Siphinian Treasury,

 which is now reconstructed inside the Delphi Archaeological museum.

The rock where, according to legend, the Delphic Sibyl sat when giving her prophecies.

Closeup of the remaining columns of the Temple of Apollo.  I love the juxtaposition between the ruins and the spring flowers.

Enormous Dandelion poofs!!

Holy shit!  I think red means stay away!!

View of the Temple of Apollo.  The columns in the previous shots are on the far left.

View of the theater.

Katie: "Who says women can't act in the Greek theater?"  It's a bit hard to tell, but Ashley (black dress on the left) is smiting me while Clelia (jeans and black shirt in front) tries to stop her.  As I'm dying in the center, Katie (white dress on right) is swooping in to crown me with laurel.

The ancient stadium, at the very top of the complex.

On our way down the hike to the stadium we saw what we think is a jackal.  Nature!  It's everywhere in Greece!

A half mile away from the main complex lies an ancient Gymnasium.

The highlight of this site is the Tholos of Athena Pronaia.

After our trek in the mountains we waited for the bus with drinks and desert at a cafe with a stunning view.

The bus stop itself.