Crete, Greece

                    


I took the ferry from Santorini to Crete that lasted about 2.5 hours. I arrived into Heraklion port.  Heraklion was a big city similar to Athens.  From there, I took a bus to Chania for about 1.5 hours. The bus made multiple stops along the way.  You can buy tickets at the bus station close to the port.  Crete is the biggest Greek island so it was best to concentrate in one area rather than to try to see the whole island all at once.

Chania (Hania)
Chania was a flashback into old world. Hotels in Chania were incredibly cheap!  I stayed at Casa Veta in the Old Town section of Chania and I could not have been more welcomed.  George at the hotel went above and beyond to help in anyway he could.  I would definitely stay here again.  It was right behind the old port (perfect location).  Avoid the restaurants along the the Venetian Port.  The food was not good there and overpriced.  Walk down a little further to get the same thing with better food.  Music played throughout and seats were hard to find.  

Old Town

Venetian port

Venetian Port

Old Town in Chania

Lighthouse at the port.

Gramvousa-Balos 
Located an hour from Chania.  The pictures did not do this place justice!  The water was crystal clear with clean beach.  There were two ways to get to this secluded area: take your chance and drive on the small, bumpy, dirt road that required a 4 wheel drive then take a hike to the beach or take a cruise.  Bring a spare tire because of the sharp rocks and drive slowly.  You can prebook the cruise online or at the port before departing.  To have better peace of mind, I took a cruise.  Bring a sweater because it got chilly with the sea breeze.  The ship departed from the port of Kissamos and took an hour to get to Gramvousa island.  At the island, you can take a 15 hike up to the castle.  Wear proper shoes and light clothing for the hike.  After two hours, the ship depart to Balos Lagoon where I enjoyed three hours on the beach.   There were food on the ship but I brought my own snack for the beach.  The water was crystal clear and not crowded at all in May.   

Shipwreck on the way to Gramvousa

Gramvousa Castle

On top of Gramvousa

Greece was beautiful and everything I asked for and more!  I learned a little language and appreciate the culture.  It had a good blend of adventure and relaxation.  It is a place I will definitely come back to visit all the islands!