Eva Bay Beach Hotel Rethymnon

... memory is the cheese pie that we bought from a local bakery and some Greek cookies that hit the spot. Worst memory is that I couldn’t find an ATM that would take my US bank card which in turn prevented me from replenishing my dwindling supply of Euros which I would need two days later in Malta.

3. The Peugeot. It was a lot of fun to drive. Too bad we can’t get them in Canada.

4. It was dark by the time we returned to Aghios ...

... next day and caught a cab back in to Chania. We then caught the bus back to Heraklion (or Iraklio) and the fun of finding somewhere to stay for our second night on Crete began.

P!ssing down with rain, no cagoules, no money, hungry, nowhere to stay - it was pretty rubbish. Crete is a pretty ****** place as well. Lots of graffiti around and dog poo on the footpaths. But, we managed to get another credit card working and then found an internet cafe ...

... 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.

... and doing nothing!

I can't believe I only have 2 ngihts left here! The time is coming so fast!!!! Dave is thinking about staying another week! ahha this place it is just like the Hotel California song you can check out but you can never leave! He is already planning on coming back next August and was devising a plan so that I could meet him here for 2 weeks haha! I am excited to go back to Athens and go ...

... about that later

So I am just putting the toothbrush in my mouth when one of the bathroom doors opens up and this (could be if it wasn't for his personality) decent lookiong guy emerges saying HELLO where are you from- me in my bikini bed head make up from the night before toothbrush in mouth says "canphada" and Yuuuurrrrppphhselllff while spitting out toothpaste Pakistan- ok cool "well never met anyone form Pakistan before!" shook his hand and now he is trying ...

... 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

I'm in Rethymnon now, I left Hania this afternoon for the hour long bus ride along the coat to get here. It's not as pretty as Hania, but I havn't explored it entirely yet. I could have stayed in Hania for a few more days, there really wasn't much to see or do but I just loved it there. I could just wander the streets and around the harbor everyday. Two nights ago I did the sunset cruise instead of the day one because it was canceled. The group ...