Today our adventure begins. We are heading to Crete, one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. We left Athens early, catching some of the archeological sites in the early morning light.
A simple breakfast near the railway station
The 30 minute train ride to Piraeus is €1.40. All the carriages were packed. It was a simple process. The trains all look like this, full of colourful graffiti, as if it was government issue.
Piraeus is a busy port, definitely a transit stop, not a tourist destination but there were some attractive sections on its shoreline.
More creative murals
Directions to our boat weren’t all that clear so we made a few inquiries along the way until we found the correct course
At last we caught sight of our ferry, Minoan Lines. €70 pp for an economy ticket
There were a range of options for the day, comfortable chairs inside, in cafes but we decided that around the pool was our best option. We couldn’t believe the amount of dogs, who could sit with the their owners or spend the day in caged area on the upper deck.
There was only one stop at about halfway when we dropped off passengers at the island of Milos. The entry to the small port was spectacular with the shining hilltop village and the colourful seaside shacks hugging the shore.
The main town and port of Milos
At 6.45pm, right on schedule, we docked in Heraklion.
The bunfight for passengers with large cases to get the single small lift to the correct deck for disembarking.
Welcome to Crete!
It was only a 10 minute walk to our accommodation.
Around the port
Heraklion Old Port Apartments, €60. Three star, our choice. Not the level which would appeal to many travellers our age but this is great - full kitchen with coffee machine, stylish bathroom, good wifi, staffed reception, immaculately clean and air conditoning. Washing done and on the balcony!
Restoration of local sites. This one nearby. We look forward to learning more about that tomorrow.
Dinner along the port. Mark had small squid cooked in an ouzo cream sauce and I had a grilled sea bream. Our first taste of a complimentary raki, the local liqueur - clear, with a flavour of castor oil, not something I’ll be making a regular habit.
The kitchen was across the road, so the waiters had to dodge cars every time they served a dish. I bet there are some interesting anecdotes of near misses and spilt soups.
A cool sea breeze was a refreshing change after a humid afternoon. Looking towards the Venetian Fort.
And in Aghiou Titou Square
M&M
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