The days are winding down here in Crete just as things are turning very warm. Our thoughts are now beginning to turn to the practicalities of life: getting clothes cleaned, packing, picking up a few souvenirs, etc. We will leave on Tuesday morning, June 14 for Athens and spend the night near the airport before catching a flight to Munich and on to Los Angeles (about a 12 hour flight!). Thus the break in the comfort of a Holiday Inn at the airport before folding ourselves into the discomfort of an Airbus for the long trip home.
The last 3 days we have been trying to see some places and enjoy our last meals at some of our favorite tavernas. Wednesday we decided to return to Moclos, the little seaside resort about an hour to the east.
We returned to the same little taverna that we had so enjoyed a week or so ago. The owner provided us with some white wine while we waited for the next supply of fresh fish to come in.
Along with some rock lobsters
Talk about fresh! We enjoyed a Greek Salad with a bit of a twist, having added some greens, some sort of herb (we asked the owner what it was and he refused to give us the name and said, “Just eat it!”) and green onions instead of sliced red onion. It was good and we ate it! Also we had some small fish, anchovies, fried. Delicious! On the drive back we passed the well-known archeological site of Gournia, the best preserved Minoan site on the island, about 3000 BC.
Having traveled on Wednesday, Thursday was a stay at home day. It was very hot, some we stayed by the pool for a bit, but even that was quite warm. However, that evening we went back to a taverna we have enjoyed a couple of times, Neromilos. This night they were featuring live Greek music. We got there about 8 and the place was packed. They were kind enough to set up an extra table for us and just in time as they were soon turning people away. The music was not anything special, but the atmosphere and we later learned that we were a part of the social event of Sisi, at least for the week. I captured a bit of the fun on video and you can see the owner, the broad-shouldered woman in the black tank top dancing with her daughter and a friend.
It was wild and we later learned that the little place had served 95 dinners that night! When we arrived home, about 11:30, our hosts were waiting up, like mom and dad, worried about what might have happened to us. Crete roads are very dangerous and even more so at night. There were beginning to realize their worst fears about our fate, when we arrived. Of course, we were then invited up to enjoy a nightcap. It was about 1:30 in the morning when Polley and I fell into bed.
Friday we headed for a look at the largest city in Crete, Iraklio(n), about 40 kilometers west of Sisi. It is a big city, at least for Crete and we wandered about a bit, but found a place to park and then just strolled about for a couple of hours. There is a large Venetian fortress at the Port
And a lot of older building along a pedestrian walkway.
WE eventually found ourselves in Freedom Square, which seems to be Creten speakers square. We found a taverna and just sat and watched life go by in this bustling small city.
That evening we went back to Remezzo’s for one of their pizzas. Friday there is live music so that was part of the motivation. About 9 pm it started and, like the night before at Neromilos, it was crowded. A particularly enthusiastic group of Eastern Europeans (I believe) really got into “Take Me Home Country Roads.” I caught a bit on video so that you could sense the atmosphere.
WE have certainly enjoyed our time here and are already talking about returning next year, but most likely later in the summer, late August or early September. The accommodations are terrific and Angela and Stuart have been wonderful hosts. We plan to take them to dinner on our last evening in Crete, Monday, before bidding them adieu early on Tuesday morning. This will like be the last blog as we need to turn our attention to make final plans for departure. I am going to do a brief video of our apartment and the grounds so that those of you interested in a trip here can get a sense of their place and of the surrounding grounds. Well worth a visit.
Best to all.
Ed and Polley
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