3rd June 1984 - Heraklion/Iraklio and the Bull of Minos

Sunday 3^rd June  I got up about 8.00, packed and went to the bus station to buy a ticket to Iraklio (Heraklion). Then to the quay for breakfast – toasted sandwiches (rolls) – and to buy some biscuits and water. I collected the pack from the pension and got on the bus at 10.30. The trip takes about three hours, again through spectacular scenery along the coast. A lot of that pink flower (and the white version of it) again along the roadside.

   On arrival in Iraklio, I walked along the seafront past the little boat harbor to the bus station where I got a taxi to the Youth Hostel – ripped off 150Dr. [It was a very short trip.] After paying for the night, I went up the street and to the Archaeological Museum. There’s some interesting stuff in there.

   There are thousands of seals, displayed on the sides of pyramids in glass cases. Each seal has a plaster cast made of its imprint, but some of these have slipped, making some of the original seals pretend to have three different imprints. There are pots of course, the most interesting being those with open spouts. Most of the pottery has been reconstructed and there are only a few pieces (i.e. broken) on display. The reconstructions are very well done.

   

A ticket to the archaeological museum, Crete

   There are huge bronze tablets (talents) weighing up to 30kg a piece that were used as money. I bet kids didn’t keep asking for pocket money in those days. Bronze swords, axeheads; lots of little figurines of men, women and livestock in stone or pottery. The famous Bull of Minos head, or whatever it’s called. It’s really a votive pot. There’s also a big wooden model of the Palace of Knossos. The fresco room upstairs was closed, unfortunately.

Bull of Minos

   After the museum, I went over to ta little park and sat writing. There’s another political rally, this time with the ΝΔ party (New Democrats). Not much evidence of the KKE. But the Greeks are fond of writing graffiti – it’s just about everywhere, including on retaining walls along the highways – red for KKE, blue for ΝΔ. There’s another party that’s green; I don’t know what it is (the ruling party) and I haven’t seen any graffiti for it. Just posters – posters for all the parties.

   I went walking along the waterfront where the ferries dock and back to 25 August St. I had some gyros and souvlaki in pita bread and went back to the hostel where I wrote postcards all evening. It’s a very noisy place, what with the cursed motorbikes, a tavern almost next door, and two or three small children who live in the place and stay up very late. Greek kids do.