Delos

With a rosy glow on the horizon, we anchored on our first evening aboard Panorama in the failing light at Cape Sounion. Everyone was excited to be here, we had arrived, Greece, sailing the Cycladic Islands for an entire week. Lively chatter filled the bow as we set sails for the first time on our voyage. Over the course of our explorations, we each found many new and interesting insights to ancient Greek culture.

Vast expanses of terraced hillsides, agricultural remnants from the Venetian times greeting us on Sifnos, our first island. Evening the next day found us at Milos, where we explored quaint Cycladic villages, caves and coastlines pocketed with pirate dens and the remote site of the “Aphrodite de Milos” unearthing. Your mind and body could not help but relax on the sandy shores of Poliegos; kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and sunning were all legitimate uses of our afternoon. Our day at Santorini was just as memorable as we started by exploring the sleepy town of Oia, precariously perched upon the caldera rim. Unexpected pleasures turned up everywhere – visually and for our taste buds as well, as we munched watermelon on the beach.

Jillions, or so it seemed, of blue domed churches dotted the hillsides of Oia on Santorini. Under sail once again, we left the broken crater of “Saint Irene” towards Paros Island. Daylight broke with calm seas, but that was to change. In the time it took for us to walk up and over the hill to a scenic lighthouse, the winds picked up and white caps erupted from our previously flat calm bay. Everyone came back to the mother ship in our bright orange aquatic zeppelins and then it was time to head for the protection of Naxos. Behind us a weather front stirred the Aegean into froth and foam, but we were snug. Late in the evening, or very early in the morning, we tucked into the harbor on Syros. Ermoúpoli is a bustling harbor historically and currently as well. Winding our way through the marble paved streets we found splashes of color bougainvillea cascading down terraces and cafes with tempting sweets and baked goods. In the market were fresh fish piled high and staring blankly skyward, fresh colorful vegetables added to the color palette. The afternoon was meant for leisure, whether that was strolling the waterfront, climbing to the cathedral or embracing the siesta. Towards evening, Effie and Sophia taught a lesson in the Greek language and alphabet and soon had us writing and reading our names in Greek. By the light of a crescent moon, we left Syros for Delos.

In the early morning light, the ruins glowed pale and inviting. The winds had died, the front had moved on and it was time to explore one more island. Each of us came away from the sacred island of Delos with a different impression. Magnificence demonstrated in marble, albeit in ruins, appreciated still today in the meticulous nature of the culture and workmanship that built this beautiful city.

Ending our week on Delos seemed correct. Bustling and busy ports at the beginning and now we end our expedition in the calm and serenity of a sacred island enveloped in myth. Artemis and Apollo, twins born on Delos to Leto under the shade of the palm tree; this was their start, and it is our ending. Back on board Panorama we look now towards the port of Pireas where we started, and ultimately home. Each of us has gathered our own private and unique treasury of memories from our visits to the charming and enchanting Cycladic Islands of Greece.