Delphi & Corinth Canal
This morning, our wake-up call found us on approach to the island of Itea to visit the archeological site of Delphi. Perched dramatically on a southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus, Delphi was a sanctuary of Apollo, the god of truth, sound, music, poetry, and light. Driving to the site we pass through an amazing sea of approximately five million Amfissa olive trees, the largest olive growing region in Greece. As we rise into the mountains we look back across a huge valley covered in the smoky green of olive trees, and on to the blue ocean beyond. The site at Delphi is extraordinary both visually and historically and all who ventured up the many steps in exploration were rewarded with great views and beautiful photo opportunities.
Back on board, we had a leisurely early afternoon with an inspiring presentation by National Geographic photographer Jay Dickman. His presentation of images left us with great respect for the range and depth of his experience as well as the challenges of his photo journalistic work.
As the afternoon progressed, we continued on to the Gulf of Corinth and ultimately to our passage through the sheer walls of the Corinth Canal (circa 1881-1893). The Greek pilots came aboard and lines to the tugboat were secured for our transit through this very narrow waterway bisecting the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland. During our transit we were treated to an ice cream party on the forward deck, the sightings of a red fox along the steep hillside and a kestrel soaring high above the canal, as well as finding two of our expedition staff high on a bridge high above us filming our progress through the canal.
We had a delicious finale for the day with a Greek barbeque dinner out on deck with the full moon rising over the Aegean Sea. A perfect end to this wonderful day.
This morning, our wake-up call found us on approach to the island of Itea to visit the archeological site of Delphi. Perched dramatically on a southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus, Delphi was a sanctuary of Apollo, the god of truth, sound, music, poetry, and light. Driving to the site we pass through an amazing sea of approximately five million Amfissa olive trees, the largest olive growing region in Greece. As we rise into the mountains we look back across a huge valley covered in the smoky green of olive trees, and on to the blue ocean beyond. The site at Delphi is extraordinary both visually and historically and all who ventured up the many steps in exploration were rewarded with great views and beautiful photo opportunities.
Back on board, we had a leisurely early afternoon with an inspiring presentation by National Geographic photographer Jay Dickman. His presentation of images left us with great respect for the range and depth of his experience as well as the challenges of his photo journalistic work.
As the afternoon progressed, we continued on to the Gulf of Corinth and ultimately to our passage through the sheer walls of the Corinth Canal (circa 1881-1893). The Greek pilots came aboard and lines to the tugboat were secured for our transit through this very narrow waterway bisecting the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland. During our transit we were treated to an ice cream party on the forward deck, the sightings of a red fox along the steep hillside and a kestrel soaring high above the canal, as well as finding two of our expedition staff high on a bridge high above us filming our progress through the canal.
We had a delicious finale for the day with a Greek barbeque dinner out on deck with the full moon rising over the Aegean Sea. A perfect end to this wonderful day.
