This vessel launched from Cyprus on April 17th,
filled with traditional products of the island, including copper ingots that will be used to make the bronze for the Athens 2004 Olympic medals. Its journey will take it to Rhodes, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Kos, Samos, Chios, and Syros. The dates for these visits are:
Rhodes (4/25/2004)
Symi (4/27)
Kos (4/28)
Kalymnos (4/30)
Leros (5/1)
Leipsoi (5/2)
Patmos (5/3)
Samos - Pythagorio port on the south side of the island(5/4)
Samos - Vathi port on the north side of the island(5/5)
Chios (5/7)
Tinos (5/9)
Syros (5/11)
The ship will dock in Piraeus on May 15th, 2004, where the mayor of Athens, Dora Bakoyiannis, will preside over the welcoming ceremonies.
The ship is patterned after an ancient vessel found off of Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus.
The first launch of the ship was back in 2002, when it was dedicated in a recreation of ancient ship-launching ceremonies, including invocations to the Poseidon and other ancient Greek gods and appropriate offerings.
Other products carried by the ship include almonds, which were found in great quantity on the ancient ship. However, the ancient almonds took a short journey even after the shipwreck. Discoverers believe that the almonds were stored in sacks, but many of them were found inside the remains of the many amphoras carried by the ship. The explanation? They were apparently moved by octopi carrying them in their tentacles.
This is the third reconstruction of the Kyrenia ship, and was instigated by the Kyrenia Nautical Club.
