Crete, Archaeological Museum in Iraklio

"The Prince with the Lilies" 1550BC Knossos

Kamares ware krater with applied white clay lilies, 1850-1750BC, Phaistos.

Figure on left, Ivory figurine of vaulted tomb C 2500-2100BC

Top - "The Octopus Jar", 1500BC, Palaikastro.

"The Snake Goddess" 1600BC, Knossos.

"The Great Goddess of the Snakes" and "The Snake Goddess", 1600BC, Knossos.

Rhyton of black serpentite stone in the shape of a bull's head, from the palace of Knossos, 1700-1450BC

Detail from a Libation rhyton of chlorite, with a relief representation of a mountain top sanctuary.

Bull -vaulting, wall painting from the Palace of Knossos, 1600BC

"The Parisienne", 1450BC Knossos.

Two sides of the Phaistos Disc 1600BC, Phaistos.

"The Blue Bird" part of the decoration in the "House of Frescoes" 1550BC, Knossos

The Rhyton bearer a figure from the wall painting of the procession in the Propylaeum, 1600-1400BC

Spherical prochous with beaked spout and representations of aquatic birds, 1700-1400BC.

Detail from the sarcophagus of Ayia Triada, 1400BC

Earthenware figurine of Goddesses, 1400-1150BC

Earthenware replica of a small circular shrine, 1100-1000BC.

These last ones are obviously Roman.

The Small collection is from a variety of sites, the palaces of Knossos and Phaistos, The Villa of Ayia Triada and other Tombs. I has to rush through as Max (he was having a wobbily) was outside with Yves and I had to take photos quickly (sorry, if some are out of focus) and make a few sketches. There were objects I'd never seen before and was very happy to see them.

Crete, Palace of Knossos

Here is the first section of the palace, you see lots of rocks, walls, tourists, but then you see that first red column and you know it's Knossos.

Bulls horns.

All of the frescoes are copies, but still it's great to see them. This one is called "The Prince with the Lilies".

Alex doing a great impersonation of the Prince.

These pots look ordinary, but when you see them in real life and see the size of them, you are very impressed. The big pots are over 2 meters tall.

Max thought his keys just might open the lock.

The famous "Dolphin" fresco.

It was a hot day at 36°c, with thousands of tourists wanting to see the sites. There was a big line to see the other famous rooms, and as it was so hot, we decided not to stay. We had hoped to see the originals in the archaeological museum, but it was closed for renovations. They had a temporary exhibit with only 400 objects, rather than the 4000 objects they have, including the original "Dolphin Fresco". Oh well, that's life.

Crete July 1-14, Villa at Sfakaki

We stayed in a small town called Sfakaki, 60km west of the captal Heraklion and 11km from the third largest town of Rethymno. It was a two bedroom villa with a/c and private pool. So the first thing the kids did, when we arrived, was to go straight into the pool.

Everyday it was hot and sunny at 36°c. So the routine was the same, pool or beach, lunch, nanna nap then pool... we also saw a bit of the island too.

The first sunset.... mmm let the holdays begin.

The view from the Villa. There were beautiful mountains and lots of olive trees.

Alex loved the pool, especially when he bombed me.

At first Max was a bit scared of the pool, holding on tight. By the end of the second week, he was pushing us away. But his real favorite part of the holiday was the hose and broom. Wetting and sweeping up everything.

Close up of the view.

I loved the pool too. Alone and with the boys.

Boys.

Most nights, either Yves and Alex or Yves, Alex and Max would go for a walk. To see the beach, star gaze or stop at the corner cafe for a ice cream and coffee.

Cafe

Cheeky Max, with his mosquito spots.

Last sunset.