6/25/2011 Ferry Santorini to Herakleion/Irakleio, Knossos, Archaeological Museum of Herakleion, staying with George in Chania, dinner with George at the house

Don't think we had breakfast.  A young man was sent up to our place to carry our luggage down.  He carried the 2 large pieces plus the carry on all at once!  I did give him a nice tip.  By the main walkway where the Atrina office is we settled our bill.  I had already paid a deposit of 250€ for 1 night.  So with the laundry of 20€ and the remaining 2 nights of 500€ our total bill was 520€/$739.68USD.  I stayed with our luggage by the road while Richard went to get the car.  Very excited as today we go to Crete and will be staying with friends. 







We drove the car back to Fira-to the rental office for the return.  Then we were driven to the port to catch our ferry.  I had bought the ferry tickets in Oia for 36€.  Somehow I don't have the receipt or the ticket stubs now.  Our ship is very large.  As it arrives we watch many trucks and cars coming off.  Then we board and depart around 8:30-9:00 am.  Can't be sure of exact time.  This is not a high speed ferry but our trip was relaxing.  I'm happy to see you can get food and drinks since I don't think we had breakfast at Atrina.  I bought a donut for me, cheese panini for Richard, and coffee for us both.

Our ferry arriving in Santorini

Leaving Santorini

Not too much to see except open water.  We do make a stop in Anafi around 10:45 am.  Then we continue on to Crete, Herakleion where George will meet us.  We are late arriving-a bit after 3:00 pm when we were supposed to arrive at 2:30 pm.  There's George and Dimitra!  Hugs all around.

Think this is Anafi

Arriving Anafi

Leaving Anafi

Relaxing

CRETE.  Dominated by soaring mountains.  Historically this island and its people have endured occupation by foreign powers and the hardships of religious persecution.  Romans, Byzantine, Venetians, ottoman Turks, German forces of WWII have all left their mark on this island.  Along with the mountains the seas and ancient history draw tourists to Crete.  A hiker's paradise.  Excellent Archaeological Museum in Herakleion.  The greatest of the Minoan palaces-Knossos.  Not to mention that our good friends George and Dimitra are of this island and have invited us to stay with them in Chania.  We will stay with them until 7/3/2011. 

Arriving Crete

Getting ready to arrive!

George and Dimitra are here somewhere!

Venetian fortress right by the harbor

HERAKLEION.  A settlement since the Neolithic era, this was the port for Knossos in Roman times.  Capital of Crete.  Venetian architecture which include the city walls and fortress.  The museum has the world's greatest collection of Minoan art.  Unfortunately we will not spend much time here to fully explore.  Maybe on another trip??




KNOSSOS.  We decide to visit Knossos since we are here.  Admission 6€ per person.  We have to hurry as site is closing early at 5:00 pm due to the economic situation.  Knossos is very impressive.  Restored by Sir Arthur Evans between 1900 and 1929.   This is the largest bronze age archaeological site on Crete.  Built around 1900 Bc but destroyed by an earthquake about 1700 BC.  Completely rebuilt.  1700-1400 BC.  Original frescoes are in the museum.  Easy to imagine how it was in the past.  Unfortunately we did not get to see all I wished due to the early closing time.

Admission ticket

Sir Arthur Evans 

South House-partly restored, was once 3 stories high and probably the residence of a palace official

George and Dimitra-Horns of Consecration-these restored horns are a symbol of the sacred bull and would have once adorned the top of the palace

George and Richard

Priest King Fresco also known as the Prince of the Piles-detail from the Procession fresco and depicts a figure wearing a crown of lilies and feathers

Behind glass for protection

Throne Room is believed to have served as a shrine-guarded by a restored fresco of griffins-sacred symbols in Minoan times

Charging Bull fresco

Royal Apartments-Queen's Megaron decorated with a copy of the famous dolphin fresco and has an en suite bathroom

Exiting the site

Postcard

Postcard

Postcard-top left clockwise Charging of the bull/bull sports fresco from the E. wing of the Knossos Palace 1500 BC, Dolphins fresco 1600 BC, Ladies in blue fresco 16th century BC, and Blue bird fresco 16th century BC

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF HERAKLEION.  Houses the world's most important collection of Minoan artifacts.  It was a highly sophisticated civilization that existed on Crete over 3000 years ago.  The museum its closed for renovation but major exhibits can be seen in a temporary display.  This is a temporary building so the exhibit of items may not be as comprehensive.  Admission 4€ per person.  Found it to be interesting and enjoyed it very much.  I bought 3 postcards.  In the car and on our way to Chania.  George bought drinks of cokes and juice for all of us for the drive. 

Admission ticket

Gold Bee Pendant dates from the 17th century BC

Bull's Head Rhyton 16th century BC vessel was used for the pouring of ritual wines and is carved from steatite, a black stone, with inset rock crystal eyes and a mother of pearl snout

Minoan Double Axe

Snake Goddess-double breasted female with a snake in each hand is the smaller of 2 faience figurines thought  to represent the snake goddess or a pirestess performing religious rites-dates from around 1600 BC

Frescoes

CHANIA.  Once the Minoan settlement of ancient Kydonia, this city has been fought over and controlled by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Gnoses, Turks, and Egyptians.  Following unification with Greece in 1913 Crete saw another invasion during WWII-this time by the German army in 1941-when the Battle of Crete raged around Chania.  There's the Venetian quarter in the old harbor.  Naval Museum.  Mosque of the Janissaries-oldest Ottoman building on the island.  Covered market-sells local fruit and vegetables and Cretan souvenirs.  Shops selling traditional Cretan boots.

George's house is #29.  His mother-in-law's house is a few doors away.  On the bottom floor is a living room and dining room area.  The kitchen is beautiful and off it is a washer/dryer.  George has this huge BBQ grill smack in the middle of the kitchen.  He had it shipped from the US.  He's got a nice back porch where it will go once fencing is put up to safeguard the grill from being stolen.  Upstairs are 2 bedrooms and a bathroom with shower.  The bathroom is tiny.  Dimitra does dinner.  Greek salad of tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, and onion.  Potatoes and eggplant in sauce.  Beef and beans.  George got 3 kinds of cheese, black olives, and fruit.  Bread.  Wine.  A really delicious meal with great friends.





George wants to show us some of Chania.  We drive to the harbor where we walk around taking in the sights, sounds, smells.  Venetian Lighthouse.  George buys us all ice cream.  We buy coffees for us all.  Back at the house we are tired after our long day but excited about getting to know Crete with George and Dimitra.  There's no better guide for us than them!