ATHENS, DAY 2 (4/9/12)—IMPRESSIONS

∙ WHAT WE DID/SAW/EXPERIENCED
          ∙ We, once again, diverted from "the beaten path", this time from our hotel in Athens on a 10-hour discovery of Apollo's sanctuary: Delphi
          ∙ Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town
          ∙ A motor coach took us from the city to Athens’ beautiful countryside to this charming natural setting on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.  It looked and felt like a mountain ski town, which just happened to feature a large lake below and incredible ruins of Greece on the hillside above.  Rainy weather provided a unique look at the ruins, but made the day cold and photography difficult.
          ∙ Delphi is the site of the main Temple of Apollo (son of Zeus) and the Delphic oracle -- the most important and famous oracle of ancient times (pictured to the left).  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
          ∙ At the site, we saw the Treasury of Athens and the Temple of Apollo, where the masses flocked to consult the oracle.  Before making important decisions, Greeks and others would travel here to consult the oracle and learn the gods’ wishes.
          ∙ After that, we walked a short distance to the Delphi Museum, which houses the famous bronze Charioteer and statute of Antinoos, among other interesting artifacts
          ∙ We then returned to our ship at the port of Piraeus, near Athens.