Blogs from Heraklion, Crete, Greece, Europe - page 6

Saturday, 6th December, 2008 continued We walked into town at ten thirty, the sun was shining and it was really warm. The cafe Du Lac, advertised free wifi, so we had a coffee and logged in. I updated the blog and checked our emails. The accommodation in Makrigialos that was available, looked really nice from the owners direct website, and we were fairly sure that this was going to the place for us. We then had a walk around the town, picked up a better Crete map, and raided the cash machines. Then back up to the hotel. The drive to Makrigialos was about an hour and we left about around twelve thirty to give ourselves plenty of time and do some sightseeing on the way. Crete is much bigger than Kefalonia, where we have just ... read more

Hey there folks thanks so much for the feedback from all - the prayers are working barb and mum cheers Julia loved the Evie update thanks Moods team. A few milestones here we took a road trip a few hundred kms up the island to pay our respects to the kiwis who will never leave Crete, they are in a stunning locale in an area called Sudha Bay, a natural and strategically important harbour that has been in continuous use for over 3000 years by one tribe or another. despite us cruising in a skoda ( much to Bens horror) and the fact that all two lane roads instantly become 4 we adapted to the greek driving style and were successful the kids did really well, we stopped for a swim in the lovely warm and ... read more

Hey everyone, Hope all is going well back home! We're having a great time here in Crete. Our camera finally bit the dust so we bought a fuji for a "special price". Our hotel here is all inclusive so we've been taking in way too much food and booze. Last night was a Greek holiday of sorts when they celebrate the virgin Mary. The hotel hosted a great party including a live traditional band, greek food and of course we had some ouzo. Crete is also renouned for its Raki, 70% moonshine that they sell on the street in old water bottles... pretty harsh stuff. Tomorrow we're renting a car and heading to the city of Hania for some site seeing and shopping, and then to Previa beach for some palm trees and waves! To answer ... read more

Yesterday we had to leave Santorini. Our package gave us a transport down to the ferry terminal about 5pm. On the way, attempting to communicate with the husband/ owner of our rather nice "Holiday Beach Hotel" I realised the answer to my musing yesterday of why all the womwn we had spoken to immigrants married to local Greek men (and whty the Greek mothers had allowed their sons to marry foreigners) . ...Of course the German, Polish etc women anre multilingual and readily add Greek to their list . That then excuses the middle-aged entrepreneurs from knowing more than the most rudimentary English. As I have implied before, Greece is very Greek. Although they have been participating in the tourist industry for a century or two they do not feel the need to make much accomodation ... read more

In order to leave Santorini and get to Ios, we had to get ourselves back down to the port. Lucky for us, George, or Mike if you prefer real names, arranges this for you. Unlucky for us, it wasn't George who would be driving us, but his brother. We'll call him, George II. So George II shows up and doesn't seem particularly happy to be driving us and two other people to the port on this particular day. We get into his little van, and about... mmmm..... 20 seconds into the drive I see how this is going to go. This is going to be one of those times where your life flashes in front of your eyes, about every.. ten seconds. We're weaving in and out of traffic on the narrow "city" streets. Pedestrians really ... read more