As a young grade school student who had recently learned to read, I felt like the world had just opened up to me. There was so much to know, and now that I could read books, it was all accessible. I had a tightly specified and enforced bedtime, but my parents allowed a loophole around that rule: I could stay up for a half-hour beyond, but only if I was reading.
I consumed many books during this grace period, and among my favorites were stories of ancient Greek and Roman mythology. At one time I could recite the Greek gods, their Roman equivalents, and knew their histories and backgrounds. I knew the important venues for the stories as well: the Oracle of Delphi, Hercules and the Augean stables, and the Labyrinth of Knossos, where the Minotaur was held captive.
This is my knowledge of Crete as we arrived: this is where the Minotaur lived! And where Theseus ultimately slew it.
We visited the excavated remnants of the palace of Knossos. It was a dominating center of influence for centuries, but after millennia, it is now rubble. Archeologists have recovered amazing artifacts from it and other influential sites, which are beautifully displayed in the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Check out the photos contained in this album.
After visiting the museum, we took a day trip to Matala, a beautiful seaside town in the south of Crete. It had been discovered in the 60s by popular musicians, who would come here to escape their lives of celebrity, and do the things that rock and roll musicians liked to do. Which also included writing music. This is the place where Joni Mitchell crafted much of her famous “Blue” album, and she is still celebrated and honored. The hippie vibe still lives here.
We had no intent of spending an entire afternoon at the beach, but that is what happened. We can see why this place is so appealing. You can see a few photos in this album as well.
Knossos may be rubble on top, but underground it is fairly intact. When I was there, I learned at it still drains the water off when it rains! A marvel of ancient engineering.