Crete is Awesome!

There is so much to see on Crete, it is difficult to know where to start, and the heat in the middle of the day makes it almost impossible to function. So much so, that we eventually leave Crete with a feeling that we have not really done it justice.

One of the most advertised and famous sites near to Iraklion is the ancient site of Knossos originally the capital of the Minoan people who lived on this island. We make a bee line for it once we have picked Andy and Brenda up from the bus station. It was the subject of a restoration in the early 1900s which we are somewhat underwhelmed by, despite the size of the site and its importance in Crete's history.

However, it provides us an opportunity to catch up with each other as we walk around and explore the site.





Soon its time to go back to the boat for an evening catchup! Its so special having these guys on board.


17 August 2011

Chania

With Andy and Brenda now on board we are in expedition mode. We plan to visit the far western part of the island today, taking in a city (Chania), a beach and an ancient site (Falasarna).

We are on the National road reasonably early (One main highway traverses the island from East to West) and make our first compulsory stop in Chania for expresso coffee Americano and a tasty sweet cheesy custardy pastry which is a local specialty, known as Bougatsa. Mmmm!!! delicious - and now we are ready to see the sights.




Chania, formerly the capital of Crete, and the island’s second largest city, is full of Venetian and Ottoman architecture and the harbour entrance is one which we would really love to come in through in Matelot.



We wander around with all the other tourists, enjoying the delightful ambience of the very lovely Old Town with its narrow picturesque streets and glimpses of the harbour.



There is still evidence of the German bombing during the 2nd World War in the scarred remains of a hotel on the harbour front, which has been left untouched it would seem, as a monument for what happened. Everywhere there are reminders of this island's recent and ancient history.

We walk under a low archway into a courtyard and find ourselves at the front door of a church. Inside there is an atmosphere of such peace it is indescribable. It is also deliciously cool.

The heat of the day is building and our desire to visit some of the western end of the island has us in the car driving westwards before too long. On past the town of Kastelli (Kisamos), to the far north western peninsular, our goal is Falasarna, but by now we are so very hot and the gorgeous beach of turquoise clear water we detour to beckons to us for a refreshing dip. Lots of Italian visitors are enjoying this spot – that’s a sign that its a good choice! The hot climb down the hill (fortunately via wooden steps) and the even hotter sand, make the swim an even more exhilarating experience on this rugged coastline.




A refreshing drinks stop on top of the hill is mandatory we are so hot and sticky, then we drive another 2 kms past simple farm buildings, where the ruins of an ancient harbour have been discovered and the excavation is in its early stages, uncovering what was apparently ruined by a massive earthquake. This is wild rugged country and dangerous seas, but was once a busy and well-constructed harbour on an important sea route. Now it is deserted. The atmosphere of grandeur still remains in the towering hills surrounding this site and the echoes of the wind. We wander around and try to reconstruct the site in our mind's eye.





We are replete and head back to Matelot for barbecue chicken, which we have left marinating in honey, garlic and soy sauce. The coals take a while to get going, but thanks to Andy we soon have a hot fire burning and the sound of sizzling accompanies our pre dinner drinks.