Friday, May 1, 2015

April 29-30, May 1. Hania

The 29th we sadly left Eleonas in Zaros. See Vassilis & Manoles below. We really enjoyed Eleonas & this central/south central part of Crete. We drove north to Heraklion, the biggest city & stopped to see the Knossos ruins. (We took pictures this time!)This palace was occupied by the Minoans & was by far the biggest compound we've seen. It had more than 1,000 rooms occupied by King Minos & believed to be the basis of the myth of the labyrinth of the Minotaur. We went to the museum first which was fantastic with hundreds of artifacts found during the excavations. Gorgeous jewelry, sophicated design & decorations on their pottery--just amazing when you realize that it's 4000 years old. Then we drove 2 hours on the one & only highway on Crete. At one point, we turned a curve & came across a huge boulder that had apparently fallen into the road earlier. Most of the time the road skirts the coast & the fabulous turquoise water. Our hotel is so great, right on the beach & owned by a VERY outgoing Nikos, who loves LA! It's a very fun, hip minimalistic design with bright colors. It's very popular with young families--so far we've counted 16 little ones! It's located 15 minutes from the #2 city in Crete, Hania--a picturesque old Venetian (& later Turkish) town built around a harbor. In the Old Town it's a maze of narrow, twisty lanes with lots of restaurants, shops & hotels. Last night we went back in to Hania to hear traditional Greek music at a small restaurant venue. It was packed when we arrived at 9:45 & , as the manager explained, we're having a small difficulty--the musicians hadn't arrived!  We had to wait outside for someone to leave & guard our position in the line from crafty locals who weaseled their way in leveraging their mastery of the language & giving the manager big pats on the back! We finally got a place to sit, ordered not great food & listened to a 4 piece band--drum, guitar, 2 manliness-type instruments. It sounded very middle eastern. We left a midnight & it was still going strong! It's been very breezy/windy the last 2 days & the ocean is still a little cold. Today We went to a small town, Vamos, for a walk thru the countryside finishing up for lunch at a local taverna: excellent grilled sardines and beans with artichokes. Today is May 1 which is celebrated as the beginning of spring. People hang bouquets of flowers over their front doors. Apparently they celebrate too-- the taverna was packed with people. Fortunately we got there before the onslaught! A Greek family was there before us with piles of plates & wine & were
Vassilis & Manoles

At Knossos Palace (the paint is new) everything else 4000 years old

View from our balcony

A country lane in Vamos built around 1700 during Ottoman occupation

still eating & chatting it up when we left. It's been great being on the beach. We're hoping for a wind-free day tomorrow. We're down to our last 7 days!!! Can't believe it! More to follow. . .

1 comment:

  1. No Retsina stories yet?
    Still envious. I know you'll make the most of those last seven days. :-)

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