| Aug 26, 2005 - Back to Civilization: Greek Islands Crete and Santorini
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 | Hania
| | Hania on Crete
| | Beautiful Santorini
| | Santorini: Thira
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 | | | | | Santorini: Oia town
| | Red Sand Beach!
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| We arrived late in Crete and found our way to Hania which is a charming old Venetian port town with large sand colored blocked walls enclosing the cobblestone alleys of bed and breakfast spots, cafes and art galleries. We spent a night and two days basking in the 'civilization' of it all after our few months in much more foreign places before gradually realizing that it was a little too touristy for us. We took a bus to the next town for a night, Rethymos which was pretty same-same, not different. We realized that Crete does have some interesting beach and interior features to offer after we finally settled in Plakias beach (we found a studio with fantastic views) and rented a motorbike. The motorbike was a bit of a disaster as we couldn't seem to get along on this... Is it because Paul is a bad driver? (maybe.) Is it because Jen is a bad driver? (no way!) Is it the tedious switchbacking up mountainsides on uneven pavement that no one wanted to be the passenger for? (definately!!) At any rate we saw some beautiful beach (Prevali) and a little, if nearly deserted, mountain town with fig trees, olive trees, lemon trees and wild goats wandering around. Paul bought some interesting anise flavored fresh bread from a local baker. This town is called Agriopolis.
Our next stop, the island of Santorini is an absolute postcard (which we have both seen before and loved it as much as the first time.) It is a caldera of an old volcano with classic Greek white-washed buildings teetering on dramatic cliffs with royal blue domed orthodox churches dotting the view. There are fuscia and red and bougainvilla growing everywhere. No wonder this is one of the world's most beautiful places, and, apparently by the crowds one of the most popular tourist destinations these days. The motorbiking went better on Santorini as we each got our own bike. We visited a red sand beach and enjoyed some scenery away from the crowds.
Next stop...Italy. |
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