A Wonderful Weekend in Crete

For the Fourth of July holiday weekend we made a fairly last minute decision to visit Greece.  Our friends Danny and Carolee had recently visited a town called Hersonissos on the island of Crete.  They loved it so much that they wanted to go back as soon as possible. After some quick planning and some late night phone calls while booking flights and hotels online we had a plan.

We flew out of Nürnberg airport at 4:25 am on Friday morning (yes, you read that correctly, I said am).  For those of you who know me, you know that I don't do early mornings well at all, and we had to be at the airport 2 hours before our flight.  Because of this we opted to just stay up all night on Thursday night, which was fine, but it did make Friday pretty much one of the longest days of my whole life.  We couldn't complain too much because we landed at the Heraklion airport in Crete and were at our hotel by 9:00 am.  The sun was warm, it was a beautiful day, and we were starting a weekend at the beach so we didn't have time to be tired!

View from our hotel balcony-not perfect but I'll take it!



View from the hotel balcony away from the beach


We checked into the hotel and then went to find some breakfast.  We ended up at a great little restaurant with a balcony overlooking the rocky beach below.  Our waitress was soon our new best friend and she gave us a taste of the Greek hospitality that we would see from countless people the entire time we were there.  I still can't believe it.  Everywhere we went the next person was nicer than the last and it was amazing.  The only other place that we've ever encountered such amazing people was Ireland.  The Irish seemed to be willing to give the shirt off of their backs to make you feel welcome and the people of Crete were the same way.  I know that their business is tourism and that may be why they are so nice, but it always seemed very genuine.  We've been to lots of places where tourism is their business and the people weren't even close to being as nice as the people we met in Crete.

We don't look like we've been up all night, do we?



Delicious breakfast (and yes, the omelette came with french fries)


Our day on Friday was a wonderful start to our weekend. After enjoying breakfast, we walked about 15 minutes to a place called Star Beach.  It's a huge complex with water rides, tiki bars, pools, shopping, water sports, games, bungee jumping, and of course the beach.  I could have spent the whole weekend there since there was plenty to do and the people watching was excellent.  We enjoyed a drink while we waited for our turn on the parasailing boat.  When we were ready, the four of us headed onto the boat and Rick and I were first to sail.  This was our first time parasailing and I have to say that we are now addicted.  It was a beautiful day and the feeling of floating above the water was incredible.  Our view was spectacular as we went up and down the coastline of Hersonissos, taking in the contrast of the gray mountains behind all of the brightly colored buildings lining the Sea of Crete.  As we floated with the warm sea air rushing over us, we took a minute to reflect on how lucky we are to live in Europe and how blessed we are to have had the opportunities that we've been given.  I love to do new things that remind me that we are all just a small part of a huge world around us. This particular moment was definitely one of those for me. 

The parasailing boat



Rick and I floating above the water!


After our parasailing adventure we roamed around the Star Beach complex looking at the shops.  At one point Carolee and I were separated from Danny and Rick and we couldn't believe our eyes when we found them.  They were preparing to put their feet in a clear tank that held a ton of little fish that were ready to give them a pedicure!  I've read about this and we even saw it in action through a salon window while in Prague, so I've always wanted to try it.  Rick on the other hand is someone that I NEVER thought would try something like that.  He and Danny took the plunge (so to speak) and proceeded to giggle like school girls (ha!) while the fish nibbled away at their feet and legs for 10 minutes or so.  Carolee and I went next and it was just as odd as I thought it would be.  It tickled like crazy and having little fish swimming in between your toes is a very strange feeling to say the least!  I spent most of the time stifling the inner scream that was trying to escape, but also enjoying it (weird, I know).  In the true Greek spirit, the girl who was in charge of the fish gave Carolee and I a 'gift' of keeping our feet in the water for 3 minutes longer.  I'm not sure that's the gift we really wanted, but oh well.  Our feet were remarkably soft afterwards, so it was money well spent for the physical effects as well as the experience.


Enjoying the little fish giving him a pedicure (yeah, right)



The fish liked Rick's ankles



Stifling my inner scream



Fish in between my toes!

 That night for dinner we went to a wonderful place called Porto Greco. It's a hotel and restaurant with a nice bar and seating area next to the water.  Danny and Carolee had discovered this place on their first visit and loved it immediately.  Not only was it the best food we had on the island (shrimp saganaki, calamari, and souvlaki-yum!) but the people were SO much fun.  Danny and Carolee had gotten to know two guys, Leon and Costa on their previous visit and they couldn't stop talking about how great they were.  Leon is half Greek and half South African, which makes for a very interesting combination.  We could have spent forever listening to Leon switch from speaking English with his South African accent to speaking Greek and also German flawlessly.  He's had a very interesting life and he's very witty, so it was such fun to talk and laugh with him.  Costa is Greek and he has a very colorful personality.  He knows more about music (American and every other kind) than I will ever know and he's quite the joker.  Between the two guys, a very sweet Greek girl named Olga who also worked there, and some hotel guests from the Netherlands, we had three nights of interesting conversation, overflowing drinks, and awesome music that I dare say will probably never again be replicated.  (A huge THANK YOU to Leon, Costa, and Olga if you're reading this.  Your hospitality was amazing and we hope to visit you again someday soon).   

Our first night at Porto Greco.  At this point we've been awake for close to two days!

Leon, Olga, and Costa serving up some drinks

Our day on Saturday was spent on the beach and in the water-my two happy places!   Danny, Rick, and I rented snorkel gear and had fun exploring the rocks on the coastline.  The water was clear enough to see the bottom and we had fun seeing some fish and other crazy things (like beach chairs) that inevitably end up in the water. 



Professional snorkeler?  I think so!



We kind of look like the three stooges getting ready to snorkel


Saturday night's dinner was at a place where the locals eat.  It's a small restaurant where they cook something different every night.  Danny and Carolee ate there a number of times on their previous trip.  When we walked in, there were big hugs from the owners once they recognized Danny and Carolee.  Once again the Greek hospitality was amazing.  We were promptly ushered over to the counter where the owner opened up different giant pots on the stove to tell us what our choices were for the evening.  Our choices were fish, chicken, lamb, or beef along with green beans, okra, and rice. The food was delicious, the Mythos (Greek beer) was cold, and the owners were welcoming, so it was a great experience.  Of course after dinner in true Greek style, they gave us as much Raki as we wanted.  This is a shot of liquor that is enjoyed in Crete that I came to find out is my Kryptonite.  I can do shots of just about anything (Greek ouzo, home-made German schnapps, even absinthe while in Prague) but I am definitely not a fan of Raki.  Every restaurant in Crete offered this after dinner and it usually flows freely for those who would like.  Since it tasted much like I imagine lighter fluid would and I'm pretty sure my car could run on it too, I had to pass - thank you very much.

Four shots of Raki ready to go...

We spent Sunday shopping, eating, and drinking our way though the streets and the harbor of Hersonissos.  Of course we had to buy some olives, olive oil, and olive oil soaps to bring home with us. We had dinner overlooking the water and the beautiful lights of the harbor.



Having fun in the sun

 

Beautiful view of the harbor



A giant octopus and some fish displayed by a restaurant



The main street in front of our hotel with lots of shopping!



Four different modes of transportation all in one picture



Greek food-yum!

 

Local beer and olives-two of my favorite things!

 

In case you aren't sure how to use the toilet (this makes me laugh)!

 Of course we ended our last night on the island at Porto Greco laughing and drinking while wishing that we didn't have go home so soon.



Group shot behind the bar on our last night at Porto Greco


Until now Spain has been our absolute favorite place to visit, but I think that the island of Crete might be our new favorite place.  The beauty of it, the laid back beach atmosphere, and the warm welcoming people all made it a wonderful weekend in Crete!

The End
(Can we go back yet??)