Beaches of Chania, Crete

A Romantic Old Venetian Port....Chania, Crete

Sitting on top of the world...if there is a will there is a way!

Santorini...not for the faint of heart...

I really had very mixed feelings in this wild and amazing place...the moment you arrive you are surrounded by cliffs of a caldera, the remnants of what was once the steep sides of a very big volcano...and you are looking up at them from what was once the heated insides...now of course filled in by the sea, after having blown up 40 kilometers into the sky and surrounding sea. This is the only caldera in the world where people actually choose to live on it's remnant cliffs...which in my mind I would choose to think must be some sort of impossibility that only the insane would attempt. But the unthinkable is accomplished here and with amazing grace and awesome beauty. Who knew?

Once you disembark the boat your feet are upon the small space of man made cement block that is the makeshift harbor amidst the steep rocky cliffs jetting into the deep blue, and upon looking up, you see the only way to get to go anywhere is by boat or via car or bus upward. The only road out leads up a steep cliff where you observe the zig zag outline of a road winding it's way up to the top...and that is when the awe and panic set in for me. I felt so confused!!! To enjoy this adventure, I would too have to take my turn and go up...Once you are upon the top, with the magnificent view, the fear conquered, and behind you,...you arrive at Thira, where you are let loose to go your own way on foot. To enjoy anything of substance, the multiple steps up again and again lead the way lined by shops and tavernas and hotels...each with enchanting views, and Greek ingenuity and charm, which is much different from Greek engineering...

East Crete...

A beach in Itanos, Crete by the ancient minoan ruins....another beach close to Agios Nikolos, and a picture of the small roof top apt we rented for 1 night in Ierapetra on the way to more exciting swimming as you can see....a sunset in Iraklion.


Ithanos Beach:

Here is Bali Beach. Is there anything else to say?...

Beers, Bombs, & Beaches!

What do you do when you are late to catch a ferry in Greece? Call in a bomb threat!!!! We found this out after a day of drinking beer and flying to Athens. We went to the port to catch the ferry to Crete. Had a glass of wine, a great dinner in front of us and were informed there was a bomb threat. We were told we must disembark. After sitting for 45 minutes, we asked the ferry personnel if this happens all the time? They told us it was common for people to call in bomb threats when they can not catch the boat on time!!!

All is well though. The ferry left on time, and we are now enjoying the wonderful weather on Bali Beach in Crete.