August 5 Limnos Island

 

Early this morning, the first of this voyage, I stood on the deck as we sailed through the Dardanelles, also know as the Canakkale Bogazi or Strait of Gallipoli, looking over at the Gallipoli Peninsula. Sailing through here was a bit special for me for a number of reasons not the least of which was that we had visited the Peninsula only days earlier and I still had the sounds of the guns and screams in my mind. 

L: En route to Limnos Island. R: (yellow) February 1915, the failed attempt by the British and French fleets to force a passage through the Dardanelles. The Turks had blanketed the strait with mines. (Green) The beginning of the amphibious landing on the Peninsula in April 1915.

Entering the harbour at Limnos

Our first port of call on this voyage of discovery was the island of Limnos which sadly was the departure point for the tragic and ultimately futile invasion of Gallipoli. 

Travelling on board with us was Sebastien Bertrand, Professor of history and geopolitics. He gave his first lecture this morning on Greeks in antiquity. It was very interesting. The day was to be one steeped in history because, after an early lunch, we were ferried ashore to visit the archaeological site of Poliochni which is considered one of the largest urban centres of the Early Bronze Age. 

Poliochni 

It is thought this is the site one of the first assemblies/councils 

It was here almost 100 years ago, that archaeologists discovered seven different layers of civilisations, one on top of the other which is not unusual in itself particularly as the site was locatied high on a cliff looking out to sea – a very strategic position. The Neolithic town predates Egyptian dynasties, the Minoan Kingdoms of Crete and even Troy, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 2100 BC and never rebuilt. It was quite interesting but most of what we were seeing had been ‘reconstructed’ which spoilt it a little for me.  It was pretty hot and exposed so we were thankful to reboard the bus and be whisked off to a local winery for a tour and tasting.  

The rolling hills of Limnos

The wine tasting was accompanied by local cheese - sheep and goat

Lovely countryside but it was time to return to the harbour and the ship

Behind the town the old fortifications still stand watch

Fortifications cap a prominent position 

Cocktail of the day

Every day there was a different cocktail but I have posted this one for two reasons - it is made with gin and the name is hilarious, Corpse Reviver No 2.  I don't know what happened to the first Reviver! Ingredients: Gin, Dry Vermouth, lemon juice, Triple Sec, Absinthe. It looks harmless but it is a real powerhouse.