Today we started out by heading to Vergina. This is the site of the tomb of King Phillip II of Macedonia and the museum that surrounds the tomb. Phillip was the father of Alexander the Great and lived in the 3rd century B.C. Again, like the hanging monasteries yesterday, I had no prior knowledge of this site going into today's visit. Again I was completely awed by the experience. The tombs, containing not only King Phillip but his seventh wife (most likely) and his grandson, were found in immaculate condition and had fortunately not been raided by looters. The tombs were built and then buried into a hill so they were hidden until archaeologists dug them up in 1977. The museum itself is built on top of the exposed tombs, and I have to say that this museum is probably one of the coolest places I have been ever. It is all underground and dark with the exposed tombs and other structures sticking out in different places throughout it. They wouldn't allow pictures inside the museum, which was pretty much devastating because there is no way to describe the place and do it justice. The things they found in the tombs were amazing as well including golden wreaths and armor that were buried with the deceased. The most impressive part was though was definitely the tombs. Oh my gosh, they were practically still sticking out of the ground and they were right there in the museum for everyone to see! It was one of the coolest things I have seen here. I will try to google some pics and see if I can put them up because it was amazing. Also, when we were leaving, a group of about 100 police officers came to tour the museum. Greek policemen! Soooo great. I would have stayed longer if I knew they were coming! After Vergina we headed to a winery in Naoussa. Still hate wine. Probably always will. I do feel like a loser though because everyone else drinks it and I asked for water at a winery haha. The winery was a little bit smaller than the last one we visited. They produce about 25,000 bottles a year. The meal they served us was amazing, and it was cool to see more of the process of how it is made. There is so much that goes into wine making and tasting, it is all rather confusing actually. After the winery we headed to Thessaloniki. After staying in small villages for the last few days it is weird to be back in a big city again! This is our last stop before going back to Athens and starting the island extension. Soooo sad. But what is cool about being here is that the biggest election in probably Greece's history is on Sunday and we will be right here to witness all of it! Everyone on the planet is talking about Greece right now and how their new government and economy is going to work, and we are going to see it all happen first-hand. Everything will most likely be shut down on Sunday because of the elections, but I can't wait to see the Greek election process at work at such a critical time in their history.
Oh yea, I got to Skype with Britt today! Sooo good to finally get to talk to her in person, I miss her!
You can kind of see how on either side of it there is still dirt because it is still underground.
The amazingly intricate wreath that was found in the tombs.
The fortification wall in Thessaloniki
The vineyards
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