After staying out rather late Friday night, we slept in today and took a leisurely stroll of the stores around Syntagma square before deciding that Mom and I would go to Cape Sounio to see the Temple of Poseidon at sunset. After some initial confusion about where the bus stop was located, we swung by Mirabella for our now regular chicken souvlaki fix while Mary E.B. inquired about where to purchase tickets. We took the 4:30 coastal bus from Filellinon at the corner of Xenofontos, and spent 1.5 hours watching the ocean and the people as they hopped on and off of the bus at each stop. I know what you are thinking- why would one ride 3 hours on a bus to see the sunset? It was one of the most serene and beautiful moments. We arrived after all of the tour buses had left for the day and basically had the temple to ourselves and about 20 other people. It would have been a totally romantic spot!
The Temple of Poseidon at Sounion is said by Homer to be where Menelaus buried one of his oarsman on the way home from the Trojan war. Built about the same time as the Parthenon, its gleaming white marble is a dramatic sight upon approach from the sea which was supposedly a great comfort to sailors returning home.
The guidebook said that Lord Byron carved his name on one of the columns. We saw many names, but we could not find his. This quote from Don Juan is a great description of the scene:
“Place me on Sunium’s marbled steep, Where nothing saves the waves and I, May hear our mutual murmurs sweep”
Mom and I had a great time taking in the ocean breeze, gazing at the temples, and watching the sun sink into the depths of the sea before we boarded the bus and returned to Athens.
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