Oia, Santorini

It was a discovery today, learning what "Greek time" is.  After deciding to take a local bus to a village on Santorini called Oia 12km north of Fira we headed to the bus stop.  Michael and I chatted to a French woman and her nephew, a chinese couple and a gentleman from the US while we waited for 1 3/4 hrs.  The bus is supposed to come each hour!  As it finally pulled up to the stop the driver yelled at us in Greek and we piled on to already packed bus!  1.40euro each and we arrived in beautiful Oia.

The pictures tell the story.

Pretty close to heaven on earth

Venetian fort at the mouth of the Iraklion port

Up early to drive back to Iraklion (Heraklion) this morning to catch the ferry to Santorini.  We were at the port in plenty of time to drop off the hire car and have a walk around the old Venetian port there.

Caught the ferry over to Santorini.  The water was like a mill pond - so calm. Taken to the Dana villas where we think we have died and gone to heaven.  The view across the water is absolutely magic.  We watched the sun go down with a glass of wine. Michael tried to describe it in his travel diary. 

Doesn't get much better than this!


Panoramic view from pool and in room. 

Arkadi Monastery, Rethymno. Crete

We travelled inland today, up in to the mountains where a 16th C Monastery exists as a monument to the bravery of 900 men, women and children who took refuge there during 1866 invasion by Turkey.  They blew up the gun powder to avoid being taken.  This time in Greek History is known as the Holocaust and is remember each November.  Two monks still live there.

The Fortress of Fortezza, Rethymno, Crete

The Greek flag flies of the fortress of Fortezza

Entry to the fortress

View over the ancient town of Rethymno

Trying to read Greek!

Built by the Venetians on the rocky hill a fortress dominates the landscape of Rethymno. It was built in 1573 on the ancient site of Rithimna. The fort consists of interesting buildings, some in ruins and some beautifully restored or being restored. 

Rethymno, Crete

We are now in Crete, staying in a 14th C building which is now the Veneto hotel. www.veneto.gr

Our room is 103 if you wanted to see. 

Front door of Veneto

Looking in through the front door to the restaurant.

The street outside the hotel

Another street view.

Last night with Rhys

Electra Palace

On the roof of our hotel, Electra Palace in Athens there is a restaurant (Electra Roof Garden restaurant).
It looks up to the Acropolis and as the sun sets the lights come on to light the Parthenon and other buildings up there.  It was a beautiful place to say "Goodbye" to Rhys and enjoy a delicious meal. (the more you pay the less you get on your plate!!).

You can just see the Acropolia in the background.  It was really, really windy too.

Rhys has now headed back to work in Cardiff although he thinks he will be home soon - misses his Mum too much.

Delphi

We took a bus trip today to Delphi.  Weather is cold and raining which is such a shame when we climbed high up into the mountains from Athens.

Rhys posing in front of the 2,000 year old ruins with fabulous view behind.

Bronze statue from Delphi Museum

178km north west of Athens is Delphi.  The city was most popular between the 6th and 4th Centuries BC when pilgrims came to this place high in the mountains to ask advice of an oracle who was believed to speak for Apollo. Built on the slope of Mt Parnassos ancient Greeks believed Delphi to be the centre of the universe.