Trip to Crete started from Estonia since I was not that good at looking prices from the Danish sites and the prizes were not that cheep. You never know what there weather will be in this part of the Europe in the summer but you can always count on the weather in Crete and I NEED SUN. Here is the little story about our "First Crete experience"
Day 1 - Chersonisos
I was a bit sad that I did not get to sit next to K in the airplane because it would have been much better to sleep then but there was a row between us. The flight was about 5,5h and quite smooth. The airport was quite small and there was no notification on the screen when our luggage started arriving. people just assumed it. Luckily we got our luggage and met the travel agent gave us the envelope and said to go to the bus 24. So that we did. When I entered in the bus I was quite surprised that there was so many foreigners there and even some non white people (we came with Estonian travel agency). And the girl started talking in German and checking names. Somehow I understood her and approached her since we were not in the list. Then it came out that we are in the wrong bus. The bus was already a bit moving but they still let us out and gave our luggage. Apparently we did not look the travel agency' logo at the bus. The right bus was a bit further.
Hotel was okay for the price we paid for it. We paid extra also from the safe. K took his laptop with him but ofc it did not fit into the safe. First night we did not take the air-condition mostly bc I said it is quite expensive. We thought a bit about buying the air-condition from the local store bc it would have been cheaper but in the end we did not do it. The night was awful. Even though we too the mantras off the bed and slept near the balcony door that was open, it was so hot and mosquito were eating us. K had bought some mosquito bracelets but they did not work that good. So no surprise next morning we took the air-condition. But we still saved 7 EUR from the first night :D Later actually it was even too cold in the room, at least for me since the air outside was much warmer.
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| View from the roof swimming pool |
The hotel was located basically in the center, close to the supermarket, restaurants and shops. To the beech it was about 15min walk. The hotel had also swimming pool at the roof that was pretty cool and you could sunbathe there. There was also bar where you could buy small class of beer for 1 EUR ;) In our hotel deal we had breakfast and dinner included. The breakfast was up to 9:30 and dinner started at 20:00 so there was huge cap between. I think the hotels should offer brunch instead of breakfast since most mornings we woke up 9:00, went to eat breakfast and then came back to sleep and then wake up around 11am.
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| Chersonisos |
On the first day I of course had a chance to burn my skin and it happened before the afternoon near the hotel swimming pool. In the afternoon we went to the local beach that had very nice light blue water but the coast area was very narrow so only two rows of sun chairs could locate there. And we rent those. But I must say, it was so good to feel the warm sun and salt water. I put the sunscreen on quite actively but K did not do that at all (since he has already darker skin) and surprise-surprise whose skin started came of first - of course K's :D
Day 2 - Heraklion
So in the second day we (mostly I initiated) went to Heraklion, the capital of Crete. The bus ride from Chersonisos to Heraklion took about an hour. We took the public transport and it was quite easy. From the Heraklion bus station we took the bus to Knossos. It is one of the most visited places in Crete so ofc I had to see it. There was quite big queue inside but when we got out, there was basically no queue at all. I am students so I got in for free, otherwise the ticket was about 15 EUR. About the Knossos I was a bit disappointed since I thought that there is more to see, actually most of them are runes. I think it would be more interesting to go around there with the guide who know the stories behind every stone. While waiting for the bus we bought the same T-shirts where was written "This is Sparta". K told that he is willing to wear them only outside of Denmark together with me so I had to take advantage of it. And they were very cheap - 3 EUR per T-shirt.
After Knossos we too the bus back to Heraklion city center, had a lunch and walked a bit around. I took some traditional Creek dish that looked like lasagne and it was pretty good. During the trip, K was my alcohol sponsor, so he bought be drinks for my meal. You know, hard time being student in Denmark from Eastern Europe :D The Creek beers are pretty good, especially if they are cold and it is hot.
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| Heraklion |
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| This was hanging at the place where we ate lunch |
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| Heraklion, Port from Venice times is on the background |
Day 3 - Trip to Laguun
We had to wake up quite early in the morning since the bus pick-us up about 6am. For that we got the lunchbox from the hotel and small breakfast. The bus had two floors and the trip took us through the cost of Crete to the other side. Thanks to getting to the bus early we got good seats. The ride was about 4h long and we maid one break too. The ferry to the nice beach went from Kissamos port.
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| Actually there were quite many people in the ferry, it goes about once a day |
The ride was about 1.5h and we arrived to Pirate island that had the runes of the old castle at the top of the hill. I like hiking and do not like much slow hikers so I was making our way on the top among the first people. The view from the top was amazing. There lived nobody in the island and we stayed there 2h. After coming down we also got to swim a bit in this amazing blue water. The name of the island was Agria Gramvousa.
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| View from the top of the Pirate castle |
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| This is taken in the first beach |
After getting back to the ferry we drove to Balos beach. The big ferry could not get close to the coast since it was not deep enough so the passengers were taken to the beach by rescue ferries. Firstly I thought that it would take forever but actually it was pretty fast. And the beach was amazing, there were waves, water was light blue and very warm. We stayed there couple of hours and then got back to ferry and drove back. We got back to hotel about 22-23 in the evening.
Day 4 - Enjoying Chersonisos
On Sunday we were just relaxing close to the hotel. We went to other beach close by. The water was still nice but it was quite windy. For a lunch we went to eat in a local Creek tavern. It was really nice and we ordered fish plate for two and it was huge. I also got a big beer from my alcohol sponsor K and it maid me a bit full before the food came. In the end we got some fruits with ice-cream on the house and it was also very delicious.
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| Good food and beer =) |
Day 5 - Jeep safari
On Monday we went to Jeep safari. This trip was also gift to me from my K since actually these trips were quite expensive, 80 EUR per face. But it was really fun. There were not that many people and we stayed in 4 passenger open jeeps. Firstly I thought it is mandatory to drive and were volunteering to be the driver. The guy asked though how old I am and how long I have had a driving license. Luckily we got into same jeep with one Italian couple who did not speak much English but the guy was really good driver. The woman was funny and always screaming to get the attention from the trip organizer who was filming the whole trip. Actually in the end it was a bit exhausting to hear her. K wanted to enjoy the ride too, so we just sit back the whole trip. Our drive took us to the off-road mountain roads and besides of enjoying the breath taking views we also got really dusty :D
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| Middle level stop |
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| Stop in the highest point |
On our way to the top we also made a coffee stop in the small mountain village and got the presentation how the olive soap is being made. In the afternoon we had lunch somewhere and on our way back we also visited one cave called Agias Paraskevi. I really liked it since it was not touristy place and looked natural. All the other same type of caves where I have been have lights on so it is a bit fake. Before getting back to hotel we also had a beach break so we could wash of all the dust. Even my nose was quite black.
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| Our lovely jeep |
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| Even K's skin got lither due to the dust :D |
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| In the cave |
In the evening we had the first date night and decided to go to do water-pipe close to the water and enjoyed the red house wine that was really good. We had to watch out too that the waves would not reach to our legs. And of course K had to order pinacolada since I got a really good one in Livu Water-park and he just had to try out it now in every place :D
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| Good wine with the best company |
Day 6: Malia
On our last full day we decided to take the public bus to Malia. the aim was to find some new beach. It was about half an hour ride. Malia is more touristy place and full of young people. I guess it would be interesting to end up there for parting. Our place is more local but at the same time there is a nice walking road near the see full of different restaurants. In Malia the beach is better and the waves were huge. It was really fun to jump around there but one wave even took me really down. We had there nice lunch and try to get most of the sun even though K spent most of the time under the umbrella :D
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| I want this cocktail now =) |
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| The wavy beach |
In the evening we went back to our favorite water-pipe and wine place and sit there before we hit the night club. The club was outdoor and quite crowded so it got hot. And of course there was more men than women but I had already mine :D In some point toilet paper fall down from the ceiling, I guess it was a special effect :D
Day 7: last day
Luckily the plane went in the evening so we had the whole day to get more sun. We bought some souvenir and very good fresh orange juice from the supermarket. 0.5l cost just 1 EUR. And I want it now. For the lunch we went to the same Creek tavern where we ate fish and I was so full. But afternoon we of course spent at the hotel swimming-pool. The flight back home was good and I got the window seat next to K =) I must say that Crete was really cool and being at the moment back in cold-windy Denmark it brings be warm feeling to look at these pictures.
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| And mandatory picture with the palm tree =) |
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