Adreatic Sea, Anek Line

Leaving the Mediterranean region with Anek Line, good value for money, clean and reasonable rate. I sure will miss magical Athens and beautiful Crete.

Back to Hania and Swim!!!

Drove back to El Greco Hotel, Hania from Lerapetra (Early morning!!!).
Now that longShortmen strike is over, the Ferries are running again. Got ANEK line tickets to Piereus-Igomanitsa-Vienezia. Last day tour at the city and took some more pictures. Bought some post cards as usual. A good sunny day in deed!
Jumpped in the emeral-crystal water and swim. Very few people are in the water since the wind is quite gustly. We both swim like crazy-Canadians who never seen this kind of QUALITY water.... Ha.ha...

Fortezza Fortress, Rhithymno

Fortezza Fortress in Rhithymno, Crete, Greece
Very romantic place but some part of the fortress is quite eerie, it could be because of the natur, it is eating up the place quite fast since spring has sprung in this part of Europe.

AgioNicolas and Lerapetra, Crete

Drive out and had a day tour in Agio Nicolas. So much constructions. Its good to see the growth. Then drive on and arrived Lerapetra.Beautiful Beaches and crystal clear water. Later in the evening, it gets ugly. What a windy day. Huge waves so cannot swim. Will have to head back, North (Hania) to swim for sure.

Greek traditional pencake with cottage cheese

Early morning breakfast before we hit the road to "Agios Nikolas"! You can see some people are still in their last-night costume (MardiGrass). Grabbing their breakies....It's quite Funny how it reminded me of my student-life in Singapore.

Mardi Gras; which is French for "Fat Tuesday", ends at midnight on the last day of the carnival season. This is 40 days before Easter, which is, the first Sunday after the first full moon, after the beginning of spring. Therefore, it changes every year. Carnival is from the Latin carnivale, loosely translated as "Farewell to flesh." It dates back to ancient Egypt and later spread to Greece, Rome, France, and England.

Double O Seven site, Iraklio, Crete

Arrived Iraklio (Herakleion). Some of you might remember this scene, the Reservoir, is in one of the JamesBond movies.
This town rocks! Today is their Mardi Grass Day! Costumes for everyone, babies, young ones, kids, old ones, couples, grandmama papa..etc... ALL of them on the street, spracying soap-sprays to each other, stage-shows, rock bands, greek dances, seas of people. I didn't see any police patrolling. Everyone smiling and kids are fantastic. All night long celebration with NO single fight.
You will never sees a HAPPY and PEACEFUL celbration with NO SINGLE problem in Vancouver. This is something that Vancouver lost it long-time ago (I think).
Archaeological Museum of Herakleion, The most magnificent collection of Minoan art and culture in the world, unique in beauty and completeness is housed in the Museum of Iraklion, a modern building specifically designed for this purpose.
The original Museum was built between 1904 and 1912 at the urging of two Cretan archaeologists, Iosif Hadzidakis and Stefanos Xanthoudides, Curators of the Archaeological service. It continued in use until 1937 when work began on the present earthquake-proof building. During the world war II, the museum suffered considerably damage, but, thanks to the precautions taken by prof. N. Platon, the collection survived. In 1915 the task of rearranging the exhibits was begun by prof. Platon, and in 1952, the collection was once again on display to the public. In the new wing that was added in 1964 the present director, S. Alexiou, completed the arranging of the exhibits.
There are twenty rooms- galleries on the ground and first floors and the usual visit takes at least two hours but , of course, several days are necessary for the visitor who wishes to linger and study more carefully the exhibits, which cover a period of 5,000 years, from neolithic era to Graeco Roman period.

Discover the history of....
Neolithic period (5000-2600 BC)
Both Old/New Palace Period - finds from Knossos, Malia, Phaistos, Zakros, Gortys, Siteia palace and cult objects, finds from Cemeteries, Caves, Villas and tombs.
Post-Palace Period, Sub-Minoan and early Geometric periods, Orientals period, Venetians period, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman sculpture from Cheronisos, clay pots, paintings, jewellery, Yamalakis collection, pottery, libation verse, etc...

Simple life I have been missing....

As we drove along the winding beautiful country roads, we made sure we stop for simple-things. That is what "live worth living", isn't it? Little things like this.....The people of Greek: a man on a donkey and local boys playing on the street. A single moment, a single memory, a single experience. It would be so wrong if I didn't count my blessings.

Olive Grove and me

What a wounderful Mother-Earth!!!
Driving on this Island of Crete. Fills with olive groves, vine-yards, free-range sheeps, lamps, KriKri (mountain goats), country-boys, plus when I see the shepards with the walking-staff... now that is a unique site. Old country men still ride the donkey and wear fantastic grin. Oh....I so...so..love this countryside.

Insular Tourism begins

Rented a car E25/day to cover the entire island of Crete (4 province, Hania suburb, Rythmnon, Iraklio and AgioNikolaos). Our journey is now "insular tourism" plus gorges, caves, olive groves and mountains. DRIVE!
Lunch at Kissamos, went up the mountain. Found two village boys playing on the street. They were very curious of us and started talking in Greek. We made friends with them and gave them Ten-dollar Canadian Dollar Bill. I think in their head, full of questions and curiosity. I took picture of them and show them on the digi-camera. They were so amaze by it and kept saying can I keep it in Greek (hand gestures). So adorable ones!

Met Popeye and Olive in Crete

Chania aka Hania aka Xania: Went around town again, looked at the blow glass, tainted glass, hand-made silver wares, more churches, local fish markets and the infamous municipal wet-market. Greek men like to spin the "bead-chain" around while they are walking or doing-nothing. Passing time thing and guess what, Raymond bought one of those too. We asked one of the old man how to spin... They thought we were funny "chin-chin" (Chinese in their language).
Plenty of huge figurines all over the city, such as Ukulele, Ogre (Shrek), Popeye and his girlfriend Olive, magicians, so on and so forth. One of my friends mentioned, the movie, Popeye:the-sailor-man, was filmed somewhere here in Crete, one of the islands.

Valentines in Crete

War Hero of Crete and me, same hair style, but mine is longer one, ha.....

Our valentines day is here in Hania "City-Walk", visited the local park (beautiful), local zoo for the kids (saw a peacock dancing), handy craft areas where they do weaving, blow glass, hand-made silver ware, house decos, kitchen ware and window-shopping.
Dinner is seafood-combo plate (big one) as we both are starving by the time we end up at the waterfront-restaurant. Nicely grilled Lobster, Octopus, Prawns, Crabs, Squids, several types of fishes and shell-fishes. Yummy for our tummy! Then the restaurants gave us a shot of local wine (tasted like taquilla) each AFTER the meal. That was new for us. HAPPY VALENTINES!

The new Hellenic Republic

Hania is built on the site of the ancient city of Kydonia. This site was inhabited from Neolithic times and through all phases of the Minoan Period. Kydonia developed into a very important center of the Minoan civilization and it was famous for its pottery workshops. During the Roman period Kydonia was an important city. Kydonia was destroyed in 828 AD by the Saracene pirates. During the Byzantine period Hania ceased to be an important city.
When the Venetians came they settled in Kastelli, the hill which commands the harbor, and they fortified it. They built there their cathedral, Santa Maria, as well as a palace, theatre and houses for their nobility. The city flourished as an economical and intellectual center. The fear of a Turkish invasion forced the Venetians to enclose the entire town with a wall and a moat.
In 1645 the Turks occupied Hania after a two months siege. In 1850 they transferred the capital of the island there.
With the liberation of Crete from the Turks, in 1897, Hania became the capital of the autonomous Cretan State. In 1913, along with the rest of Crete, it was united with the rest of the Greek State.
Hania was the birth place of one of the greatest statesman of the new Hellenic Republic, Eleftherios Venizelos.
Venizelos' influence on the history of Greece was paramount, from his participation to the talks with the Ottomans that resulted to granting Crete independence in 1897, to the final union of Crete with Greece in 1913.

Ferry ride to Crete, Greece

Left Athens for Crete, Greece. 9 hrs trip. Leave Athens at
9pm arrived in Hania (Xenia in Greek), Crete at 6am. Head out to the
Hotel El Greco where we have the reservation. A three stars hotel got
a penthouse suit for $25/night at Hania.

Walking around the City of Athens

Went around town again and bought Athens' post-cards (finally). Raymond fixed his favorite boot (again, I think is the 7th time repair on that boots). Won't buy a new one, and that much he love that boot. He had it for 6 years already. Men!!!! We cleared the bills at the hotel and prepare for the next journey.... I am excited (again).

one of my childhood dreams came true!

VERY HAPPY DAY OF MY LIFE: The very first Olympic ORIGINAL stadium. This is one of my childhood dream come true. I love track-and-filed and used to be "district and school champion" in 400m and long-jump. I can't help it but I physically touched and kiss the Old Olympic stadium. Built with rocks and marbles. Very solid and painful kiss though. Went around the near by park, visited few more statues, historical sites, old bath house (I never realised the warm-bath is originated from here). Many more places...long-walk.....can't remember the names... so later...

Observation trip to the Mall, Athens

We went to the Mall (new, built in 2004), very nice mall, filled with trendy cafes which also have colorful, comfortable, transparent, wan-to-sit kind of chairs, fantastic interior-design work on the top-floor where by the food court is located. The theater is like a palace, has got chandelier, long and curvy sofa's with real
puffy pillows, decorated plants and some Chinese-bamboos, I wanted to take the pictures, but the guard said no pictures allowed. Too bad. But I took the pictures of the Mall the walking area. I like their plant-pot "shoe shaped" luminous colors and made of rubber.

The Poseidon and me

Grant me a safe water-trip Poseidon!

Magical Athens, GR

Visited the national library, Athens University, Athena and Piseidon, National Archeological museum, Panepistimio square, Syntagma square, Zappeion Temple, Municipal park and famous Hotels.
Since I have been travelling by water-ways, I thought os paying a visit to Poseidon: who is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Hades, another brother, for shares of the world. His prize was to become lord of the sea. He was widely worshiped by seamen. He married Amphitrite, a granddaughter of the Titan Oceanus. At one point he deeply wanted to be with Demeter. To put him off, Demeter asked him to make the most beautiful animal that the world had ever seen. So to impress her Poseidon created the first horse. In some accounts his first attempts were unsuccessful and created a variety of other animals in his quest. By the time the horse was created his passion for Demeter had cooled. His weapon is a trident, which can shake the earth, and shatter any object. He is second only to Zeus in power amongst the gods. He has a difficult, quarrelsome personality. He was greedy, and had a series of disputes with other gods when he tried to take over their cities.

wet market excursion, Athens

Moved to Hotel Marina E42/night, Breakfast is a buffet style with hard-boiled eggs, various cuts of meats, bread, cereal, jams, whipped cream, coffee, tea, juices etc….
Visited the local wet-market and meat-market, I really like the variety of olives displays, wheel of “Feta” cheeses, Bell peppers, and boy… Greek people love their artichokes.

Acropolis, the upper city

The term acropolis means upper city and many of the city states of ancient Greece are built around an acropolis where the inhabitants can go as a place of refuge in times of invasion.
A Day at Akropolis, the sacred Rock covering the areas of the Parthenon, The Erechtheion, The Temple of Athena Nike, The Propylaea, so and and on…I took the picture of "OliveTree" that Athena created.
The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. During Perikles' Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.
The first habitation remains on the Acropolis date from the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai, bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic period (650-480 B.C.).

Home of the Gods

We are in a country where the Gods chose for their residence.
Greece of Sun, Light, blue sky and the blue seas with beautiful beaches.
Greece of wild mountains, the 2000 islands in the light blue waters of Aegean, Lonian and Cretan seas.
Greece of Citadel, Olumpus, Epidaurus of Mycenaes, Philippos, Ancient Corinthus, Nemea, Delphi.
Greece of Caverns, Manis, Arahovas, Meteoron and inumerous other regions.
Since this is our first day, we discovered the town of Athens, walked around the city and discovered places to go and visit and plan our journey in Greece. There are several places to go within the city of Athens as well as 7 other provinces.
We decided to also head out to Crete, an island, the southern outmost of Greece and Europe where the beautiful beaches covered with high-mountains. Also decided to go to Mt.Olympus which is the home of the Gods.

Patras by Agoudimos Line

Arrived Patras, GR at 11:30 AM. Tour around the town quickly, and took pictures. Patras is a small lovely town. They are having “Political cartoon-exhibits”. I took all the cartoon pictures and its city. Patras town-character reminds me of “Rangoon”. Guess what? They also sell “grilled-corn on the cob”. We had one-each of it and a spinach-pie each. We caught train at 5:55PM to Athina (Athens). A good train-ride, very friendly ticket-inspector and clean-seats. We arrived “Hotel Arristotels” at 9pm.
Patras' history was known until recently only by written tradition. According to it, Patras was founded by the Achaeans of Sparta who, headed by Preugenes and his son Patreus, came here after being forced out by the Dorians.
From 1687 to 1715 Patras was once more occupied by the Venetians and then again from the Turks up the Liberation in 1821.
After the liberation from the Turks, Patras develops fast thanks to its port and the commerce that takes place through it. Beautiful neo-classic buildings embellish the city whose roads all end up to the sea so that its bracing force is not cut.
Artistic and spiritual life is very intense. Gradually the heavy industry develops which has as a result the rise of the population. Today, Patras is one of the most significant cities in Greece and its port is still playing that important role that it had during all its long history.

Train then Ferry from Rome to Patras

A train ride to Bari, a port-city of Italy where we took ferry to Patras, Greece. Spent the night on the train to Patras. Bought “Hallas Acoudimos” Liner tickets instead of “Superfast ferry” tickets. The cost is only 27 Euro each the traveling time is the same as the ferry. Spent the night (again) on the Liner. Travelling....