Iraklion, Crete, Greece - Day 1

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Mr. Tountas took us up to the bus stop on the National Road to catch our bus to Iraklio (Heraklion). We thought the bus would come before 10am, so when a bus showing "Iraklio" stopped, we started to board, but the driver's assistant saw our tickets and told us "No, wrong bus line. Next one in 10 minutes." I was under the impression there was only one bus line on Crete, KTEL, but we waited and sure enough another came in 15 minutes. Arriving in Iraklio at 12:15, we decided to take a taxi to our hotel, Pension/Hotel Rea, for 7 Euros. I think they charge extra for luggage. The hotel wasn't anything special and was a bit run down, but clean and, at 34 Euros a night cheap for Iraklio. It is only one block from the ocean and close to the busses and all the shops in the old town. We strolled around a bit, heading to Liberty Square where the busses to both Knossos and the airport stop. After buying two tickets to Knossos for tomorrow morning at 1.15 Euros each, we ate lunch at the Cafe Wine Bar Venezziz Ristorante on Liberty Square. Manoli had a fruit sald and a Greek salad at 4 and 6 Euros, respectively. I had Soudsoukakia, pork and lamb meatballs, with rice and fries for 7.50 Euros. Everything was good, although they brought free raki again and I downed mine, getting a headache soon after. We returned to the hotel for a rest, then went out for coffee and a stroll. Manoli didn't feel like eating much, so I bought a mushroom and cheese pie and she stopped at a market to buy some of the unusual cheese we'd had during our Taste of Crete tour. Tomorrow, Knossos!

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Photos

Waiting for the bus
J.C. waiting on the National Road for our bus to Iraklio.

Cafe Wine Bar Venezzia
The restaurant where we had lunch in Iraklio.

Strange Bird
The strange looking bird we saw in Iraklio. The size of a raven, but black with gray parts. Anyone know what bird this is?