Today we switch islands, heading to Crete. But it’s a bit of a process… I had originally thought we would catch the ferry, but at this time of year the ferry timetable is already reduced and we had less than ideal departures available to us and only on the slow ferries. So, for a similar cost I booked us on flights instead. The only issue is there are no direct flights from Santorini to Crete , so we had to connect through Athens. Definitely a roundabout route!
We enjoyed our last breakfast on the terrace at Athermi Suites. Over night there had been a blackout and our jacuzzi had come on by itself a couple of times . I only knew this when Neil told me in the morning, I slept right through it! In the morning we also wondered if it had rained overnight as the ground and outdoor furniture everywhere was dripping wet, but the waitress told us it was just the humidity!
While we were packing up after breakfast I noticed a ship in the distance cruising towards us. I checked the cruise port schedule and discovered the 4 cruise ships were due in today! An extra 8000 people crowding the lanes in Oia and Fira! We were so lucky yesterday to have a cruise ship free day. Win!
We checked out at ten and drove down to the airport, a very easy drop off , they didn’t even look at the car! We had a coffee break in a cafe and then headed through security.Everything seemed to be going smoothly until we were lined up at the gate for our flight. Then they announced they were looking for people to volunteer to give up their seat as the flight was overbooked. They offered 250 Euro per seat , a guaranteed seat on the next flight three hours later and a free ticket for a future Aegean flight. If we didn’t have to connect to our Chania flight, I think we’d have seriously considered it.
They struggled to get takers and we waited.. and waited. Eventually they finally boarded us and we departed about 20 minutes late. We were glad we had “up front” seats as our connection in Athens was not long ( not super tight, but not a big layover by any means)
I had the window seat and enjoyed the views . I could see the cruise ships as we flew over the caldera and all the islands as we flew north. Close to the mainland we flew over an island that was only inhabited by wind turbines!
In Athens, we walked rapidly off the plane but then discovered we had to go through security again. Luckily, the long queue moved quickly and we made it to the gate in comfortable time. My main concern at this stage was if the luggage would make the transfer. I neednt have worried… The second flight ended up being delayed by about 40 minutes and the luggage arrived with us at Chania.
I’d booked another Welcome Pickups transfer and he was ready and waiting for us. On the way into the city he gave us recommendations for restaurants and told us about the terrible storms and floods they had in Crete only 10 days ago.
We were glad to finally arrive at the Porto Veneziano hotel, right on the marina in the Old Town. Our room is absolutely tiny! One if the smallest we’ve ever had but it has a cute little balcony overlooking the water.
We went for a walk out to the Venetian lighthouse and then sat on our verandah watching the sun set, until we felt hungry for dinner.
We at on the waterfront in our hotels restaurant and had such a lovely meal. The bbq octopus for appetizer was tender and tasty, and my Cretan pasta dish was delicious.
The views of the post sunset sky were beautiful as we waited for our food
I chose an Assyrtiko wine as I’d enjoyed one in Santorini, and the hotel sommelier had a long chat to us about the wine ( which is actually indigenous to Santorini but is now also grown in Crete. )
We were also visited by a cute little black and white cat who is the spitting image of Liam’s cat Mouse. He hung around for a while but abandoned us when he realised I was not sharing my octopus!
As we hadn’t had lunch, I had space for some desert. A small wheel of icecream coated with sweet crumbs and served in a strawberry and orange sauce. Yum!
We asked for the bill , but before we could pay we were offered some hand made chocolates and a choice of Limoncello or Raki. Neil had the Raki, similar to Grappa, and as far as I’m concerned about as tasty as methylated spirits! Neil, inexplicably, enjoyed it! He thought it might kill off his cold germs 🙂
Back in the room, we sorted out a few packing things and effed our way around the bed to the bathroom. The room really is that small
Our dinner and the sunset were lovely, a nice payoff at the end of a tedious day of planes.
P