Since we had to suffer a transatlantic flight anyway we decided to fly into Rome for a bucket list visit to Florence and Venice. We live on Vancouver Island so it is a monumental effort to get to Europe. First Nanaimo to Vancouver to Montreal to Rome. We flew Air Canada Rouge in the Premium cabin. I call it faux Business Class. There is no lounge access but the seats are comfortable the meal was good, served on china plates and the wine glass was never empty. We also got I pads to access the in flight entertainment. The only real problem is the seats have a minimal recline so you are sitting up all the way across. Sleepezz and wine takes care of that problem pretty well. I noticed once again that there were several Americans in the Premium cabin. I guess the mighty US dollar makes it economical to fly Air Canada to Europe particularly as these flights land in the morning, direct from Canada.
Chania Crete
We flew to Athens then connected to Chania. Our flight out of Athens was delayed for 45 minutes while we were in the aircraft. Apparently Vladimir Putin arrived and all runways were shut down while his aircraft landed and he deplaned.
Once again we rediscovered our love affair with Chania. No matter how many times we visit the old town and harbour area it just oozes charm. We got our old studio room with Natalie from Pension Nora and headed to the east side of the harbour for an ouzo and people watching as the sun set.
We ate at Amphora on the waterfront. Amphora has good service, an excellent location and good food which is well priced. We shared a Greek Salad and a main of stuffed eggplant with a béchamel sauce with wine 28 E.
On past trips virtually every day one of us would say something incredibly stupid or very funny and we had a good laugh but later on we could never remember what we had said. This year we wrote them all down so I am introducing a new feature to this report.
Quotes of the day
“Don’t get me wrong I loved Italy but it is so good to be back in Greece” Stan
“It’s perilous if you don’t watch where you are walking on these cobblestones.” Lolly
Next morning I went out to take some pictures of Theotokopoulou Street. We have stayed in this area several times and find it ideal as it is full of life, with hotels, mini marts, gift shops and tavernas but all of it low key. It is just far enough from the activity of the harbour to be quiet at night but close enough that you can be in all the action within a two minute walk . I had a photo album of Theo Street hotels but I realized that I had skipped all the other businesses on the street so I re did the album showing everything. I am hoping that this time I have captured the essence of the area.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632118491316
We spent the rest of the day wandering the back alleys and found the Saturday street market. It’s such a joy to see all that produce glistening in the sunshine. We arrived just as the market was winding down and when we bought two oranges the vendor wouldn’t take our money just said “my gift to you.” We bought a bag of cherries and sampled several cheeses. I bought a big hunk of hot pepper infused cheese. Yummy. We also found the big permanent market building and bought a supply of Honey raki.
Early evening found us at a bar, watching the sunset. There was a cruise ship just outside the harbour. That added lots of people watching opportunities and after dark there was a fireworks display. We ate an excellent dinner at Michalis Restaurant Taverna. We had a large Greek salad and a chicken Santos With a liter of wine. Cost 30 E.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157671465596275
Quotes of the day
“I wonder what makes you swell up like that" Stan
" I am going to have to just sit here until my ankles drain a bit" Lolly
" We still have rooms left so we have to get out and work the street" Natalie from Pension Nora
Next Sougia