5/17/10 - Monday - Communing with the Ancients - Take Two

5/17/10 - Monday - Communing with the Ancients - Take Two (This is a pretty long post. Be patient. It's worth it.)

So, today I decided to commune with more ancients. First, I visited Kourion. Now Kourion is a pretty big and spectacular site.
I took hundred of photos and will post what I think are the best. First off, there's Eustolios' house. Judging from the size and ornamentation, I'd say this guy was the Bill Gates of his day. First off, there's the location. I mean, look at the view he had...


Then there's the mosaics. Absolutely spectacular after a few thousand years.



Right next to Eustolios' house is the amphitheater. This is completely restored and functions today as a venue. Here are a couple of my pictures, but this one panoramic shot is spectacular

Which way to go?

Heating pit for the baths

The Agora

From the Gladiator House

Also from the Gladiator house

Wash basin from the Earthquake house

Neat rock formation outside the site. It looks like some limestone was taken from here.

After I left Kourion, I headed to the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates. Another link. This link has the best and most info.

Two times because I think it looks cool.

Said circular sacred building.

After a brief lunch stop at Melanda beach, I moved on, heading further west to the "Petra Tou Romiou". This "Rock of the Greek" is where the goddess Aphrodite is rumored to have been born/appeared from the sea. Here are a couple of shots

In case you're wondering, it's the big rock in the middle.

Having seen her birthplace, I decided to move on to the Sanctuary of Aphrodite a little ways up the road. Now, this place is in a word, Peaceful. It's got a very nice vibe about the place. Only problem is that no pictures were allowed inside the museum. Therefore, here are a few shots of the grounds. Link above provides much better info than I can come up with.

Leda and the swan Mosaic.

An ancient mill - I think it was for olives and don't know the period. I thought it looked cool.

By this time, I was wiped out. Headed to Lemassol to hang with cousin Petros for a bit, had a snack, and headed back to the house. Made it there in time to eat a light dinner and hit the sack.

That's all for now... Stay tuned...