Bio Hotel Suites Rethymnon

... get a sense of how noble Minoans lived. The site leaves many questions as to what ultimately happened to this civilization that disappeared after 1380 BC when a fire destroyed much of the site.

2. We left the palace shortly after 3 and drove to nearby Heraklion, Crete's largest city and home to the Archaeological Museum. David and Holly visited the museum while the rest of us explored the city, which had changed dramatically since my last visit ...

... were looking up!

We found a decent looking place to stay in (Kastro Hotel) on hostelbookers.com and opted to wander around there to see if we could get it a bit cheaper than on the net. Unfortunately, the map on the net wasn't correct and we ended up doing bog laps around Heraklion for AGES in the rain with our backpacks looking for the damn place. Every time we asked someone where it was they pointed us in another direction. I mean, if you don't know ...

... timorous drive east from the airport on Saturday, hugging the side of the road and shuddering every time a truck overtook at speed in no passing areas. We met a couple from New Zealand (he was born in Invercargill) who were also in Crete for a week and they both remarked on the terrifying driving habits of the Cretans.

Dinner that night was more leisurely than usual – grapes, local bread, fetta and emmental cheeses, tomatoes ...

... a turn in the dark and only got back on track after a half hour and two lots of directions (including from some Germans, so that shouldn’t count, as they weren’t sure where we were either).

Parking is a haphazard affair in Crete. We parked outside the terminal with dozens of others and asked the driver of a van parked beside us if we could me towed. He laughed and shrugged and said at worst a small fine, but ...

... I have been most excited about.

The Samaria Gorge is the longest natural gorge in Europe (9 miles, I think?) before ending at the ocean on the southern coast of Crete. It felt like longer than that, but perhaps that was because of the rocky terrain, which kept our eyes firmly on the ground as we descended from the top of the mountain to the level part of the gorge. The hike was absolutely gorgeous--gorges (we're hilarious...). Taking the 7:30am bus was ...

... stores with an underwhelming waterfront. We were glad in a way that we had gone though, if only to affirm that Chania was the best city to stay in. We got back to Chania for another late dinner -people eat so freaking late in Europe...I even saw a woman in sequinned booty shorts pushing a baby carriage around 11pm. Anyway, we went to bed early, but still dead tired, to get up for the 7:30am bus to Samaria Gorge.

Yes so Dave arrived and it has been a ridiculous whirlwind! Everyone loves him which I obviously KNEW was going to happen! We have been having a great time and GREAT weather!

Yesterday was a total write off for me I ended up sitting with Dave and Odetta AKA Bob till 8:30 in the morning partying and slept till 3 and that was it went back to bed again at midnight! my body is so SOAR today from all that ...

... self- BUT he ends up sitting with pakistan and he wants a beer- WHAT I thought it was a no- no but ok whatever maybe when no one else is around (religion??? nor alcohol??)??? So then he buys Pakistan a beer and ok maybe I might be a little bit of a cheap ass but he doesn't even say THANK YOU! thats 2.50 EURO baby! ok whatever get over it. so the guy is strange staring and he put his hand on my leg and I was like umm wha? NO. so then he put his hand on my hand and ...

... a great atmosphere with delicious food and warm, friendly owners. Thank you to Keith, David L., Alma, Willi, Jan, Emmy, Don, Brenda, John, Margaret B., Margaret L., and Josephine for your kind comments and good wishes. We'd like to reply to all of you individually, but our days are full and the internet time is short! CONTEST QUESTIONS!! 3. Did you know that Crete is Greece's largest olive producer? Name 3 varieties of olives grown on Crete. 4. Name 5 fruits grown on Crete.

... are sitting on a terrace sipping fresh orange juice, enjoying baklava and listening to Grecian radio. Nex t week we will try to take a ferr to Italy so whish us good luck! I hope you are well and not becoming too jealous *g*

~*~

SMS from mum

- Liesel are you wlaking through the (Samarian) Gorge now? At the end you can take a boat. Love mama