So basically I didn't post on the 26th, because there was nothing really to write. I literally took bus after bus, waited hour after hour, got on a ferry, and waited some more, and then FINALLY made it to Crete. Then I had to take yet another bus to get to my hostel - an hour away from the port at Heraklion - and by that time it was pitch black. Luckily, after a few helpful directions from the locals, I made it to the hostel. Unfortunately when I booked it, I had planned on staying two nights, but after finding out that ferries from Crete back to Athens only leave late at night, I only ended up needing one night. But the guy didn't really care about my dilemma and I had to eat the cost of the extra night. Awesome.
And did I mention that when I arrived, there was a slew of old Russians (the owner was Russian too) getting totally wasted and stumbling around the lobby? Oh yes, it was fabulous.
BUT! the girls in my room were really cool - and all Americans for once! haha! - and they showed me around and made nice small talk.
Also, praise the Lord there was 24-hr hot water showers and I took full advantage of this before I crawled into bed.
The next morning, I arose pretty early in order to do as much exploring of the town I was in - Rethymnon - before I had to check out and make my way back to Heraklion to see the Palace of Knossos!
I was very glad I made this decision.
Rethymnon in the morning was quiet and quaint and really a gorgeous little island town.
There were tons of old remains from when the Venetians were in control (Crete was one of their overseas treasures) and it seemed that vines and flowers simply sprouted up directly from the stones below to crawl all over the buildings and windows!
...the old Venetian Rimondi Fountain from the 17th century!
...so gorgeous!!!
The sea, the sea!!
...this is the Venetian fortress known as the Fortezza Castle
...no idea what that thing is, but it looks kind of cool! ...actually it kind of reminded me of the things they would hang prisoners in - like an old medieval torture device! lol!
...I also stopped in at this cute little bakery and was just blown away by all of their cookies, cakes, breads, and biscuits - and especially these!! Aren't they stunning? That's DOUGH!!!
...my purchases...
...and this was my morning view as I munched on my pastries...not too bad, eh?
...and of course I had to throw in one of these shots! It is an island afterall and there was literally a fish stand every other block...
....yummy....
So, after my morning through Rethymnon, I then checked out of the hostel and headed towards the bus station to catch a ride back to Heraklion. The trip this time was much nicer than in the black of night - I actually could see the lovely landscape and the sea-front communities that dotted the coast! Then, finally when we arrived in Heraklion, I was able to store my big backpack for just 2 euro at the bus-station and, feeling much lighter, caught a different bus for Knossos!!
My plan was to see the ancient site first, while the day was still relatively cool, and then see the museum where all the items found at the site were stored in the afternoon. Unbeknownst to me, however, the museum closed at 3 and I didn't arrive at the Palace until 2.
I definitely had a moment where I thought I might burst into tears when the lady at the information counter said brightly, "Just come back tomorrow!" and I had to tell her I only had today.... :(
But I guess since I HAVE to come back to Oia eventually, I'll just make another day trip to Crete too and one day see those awesome artifacts....
Anyways, although the museum had literally closed it's doors to me, the Palace gates still awaited my entrance!
The Palace of Knossos was basically a Bronze Age center of the ancient, sea-faring, and very prosperous Minoan civilization. The place is also associated with the myth of King Minos - the king who supposedly reigned from Knossos and had King Aegeus (remember him? who the Aegean was named after?) send 7 virgin boys and girls every 9 years or so from Athens to appease the appetite of the Minotaur that lived in the famous Cretan Labyrinth! It was Aegeus' son who ended up killing this Minotaur - with the help of Minos' daughter who fell in love with the brave young hero - and then forgot to raise that darned white flag. lol!
Anyways, the palace was discovered and became the obsession of a guy named Arthur Evans who lived around the 19th century. He and his assistants did massive restoration on the site - that's why there are so many pristine pillars and copies of the original paintings that don't look a day old! - and came up with many theories concerning the ancient people who once inhabited these walls.
Also, he tried to replicate the wooden beams of the original palace by creating cement fakes...(front)
(side)...see?
...sacred Bull Horns...
...the reconstructed Throne Room!
...some copies of the gorgeous original wall paintings!
So, after my walk through the Palace complex, I basically wandered around the nearby area looking at souvenirs and trying to think of what to do now, since the museum option was out.
Eventually I just headed back to the city center of Heraklion and took a long, leisurely stroll along the port. And it was really quite lovely!!
...the old Venetian Armory that protected the port!
...cool old door :)
...the Venetian fortress called Rocca al Mare built in the 16th century!
...sea sponges!
...closeup of the fortress
...so cool!
....just look at that water!!
...I'm not entirely sure what these are, but they were huge and just stacked up against the side of the harbor...pretty neat!
Then, as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, I tried desperately to find a restaurant that would serve octopus. For some strange reason I really wanted to eat octopus along the Aegean and this was going to be my last chance. But alas, I could only find one place that only had a few fish selections and each plate was 31 euro or more. HAHA! ...no thanks.
So, I grabbed a focaccia at a snack bar instead (3 euro....much better), and simply waited until I could board the ferry headed back to Athens.
When that time came around I got on and settled myself snugly on a two-seat row and tried to get as comfortable as possible in order to catch some shut-eye on our 9-hr trip through the night.
Although it was not the easiest experience of my life, I did actually get some sleep and before I knew it, our ferry was docking and the sun was just beginning to rise over the waves...
Here I would probably stop my post and wait for the next day's events, but they pretty much consisted of getting off the boat, chilling at a Starbucks in the port that had free wifi, getting on a metro to the airport, and waiting at the airport until my flight arrived. That was literally about it.
So now I'm in Roma!
Though I'm sad to have left Greece, I think I saw alot for the time I had and I definitely made some good memories. I'll just have to come back and finish what I didn't see another time!
But until then, I still have my grand adventure with Tibby awaiting me and thank heavens she arrives tomorrow! I can't wait!!!
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