Got ready and got to the airport seamlessly. Couldn’t change to an earlier flight though i was early. However I was only allowed 1 small clear bag to put my lotions and liquids! So aggravating as I bought stuff in advance and sis and I took the time to put in bottles and other flights let me pass!! Arg! And I saw him pick up a liquid in another box and it was just popped back in the box. So bullshit.
Hooooly crap, didn’t know I had to take a bus from the gate E6 to E6A jeepers! I rushed to the bus and to the gate… Only to see like the other 1/3 of the plan behind me also lining up…calm and chill. Almost lost one of my 9 lives if I was a cat!
Made it to Crete @ Heraklion, but feeling a bit shite but luckily my airbnb is lovely! So many details! There is a musty smell in the kitchen and I found 2 large beetle cockroach looking insects…eek!
Went out to eat at a Grill place, O,ti Thes, and it was massive portions! I took it home, and made more meals as Sunday, i stayed home mostly to rest, after a walk in the centre.
At the fresh food market, it felt like all the locals were here 😀 i got a free onion! Lots of clothes and trinkets too, all in a pile to sift through! And free garlic too! People are so nice 😊😊
Had a good sleep and nice lunch at O kakkos taverna (Kafeneio O Lakkos (Καφενεῖον Ὁ Λάκκος)). Still tired but after some raw garlic and nap, way better!
People have been kind and helpful 🙂 peoplelove ir when you make an effort in their language! Ppl very chill, must be the hot weather. Walked by some lovely buildings and cathedrals. Very nice church too with wooden finishings inside. Got my ticket at the port all good. On the way back, went up the Venetian walls and lots of graffiti 😦
Got more orange juice and dolmades yum!
Next day, met up with my friends M+ S! We had a light lunch a O lakkos (again for me haha) and just a small bit of sausage and salad is enough as it’s so hot!! Then we went to the palace at Knossos , very old liks 1900 BC! We got some more juice , lemon and ginger, then the beach 😍 It faced the Ageaon sea and it was so nice to chill and listen to waves. We also got a lil ice cream treat too before we tried some fresh figs and loumas rose flavoured, like a turkish delight 🙂
Off now back to Heraklion and saw a random goat just meandering along on the mountain haha
Mmm great dinner at Vourvouladikon! Luckily we got a seat at 8pm as it was reserved for 915pm. We got lots of srill and sparkling water and even some Resinata wine! We got some dakos , spakos? Pie yum! And roasted pork (like Chinese roasted pork) and Aploki ( smoked pork and yogurt) .wow that Pie was the best as the eggplant was cooked so nicely and the other veg and yogurt sauce and pita crisps really balanced it YUM! All in all 14 € each so cheap! Plus free Rakki alcohol and dessert with run raisin ice cream in a flower and the brownie cake with crunchy bits yum!
Great sleep and busy next day with work and check out. Then just chilling at O lakkos again 🙂 they are so chill i sat literally for 4.5 hours and had just an orange juice! Walked around a bit and really enjoyed the street art 🙂
Went to a yummy bakery and got a multigrain croissant and tasty Cretan pastries for dinner. Resting at the park , across from the supermarket to get some ham for a ham and egg lettuce sando for dinner! Some dude just rolled up on a bike and whispered “marijuana?” I said no. Then he did a dodgy look left look right and quietly mumbled “cocaine?” I said no again. And then he silently wheeled away…so sketch! Then some other dodgy looking guy cruised by on his bike and this other dude sat nearby and started trying to chat with me so nup, time to make a move. I walked the 5 steps to the end of the park and on the other side of the bush was a cafe/restaurant place and also a cafe / wine bar called Deals. Perfect! I sat down and she didn’t come round to take my order till muuuch later. Meh all good. Wow so many kittys just wandering around. So cute! Got a berry peach smoothie yay!
Wowwww the ferry ride from Heraklion to Athens was tiring but I’m amazed I slept. “Economy” seating is like a restaurant or lounge chair…no wonder 1 website I read said the extra 3€ for airplane style seats are worth it! I made it through and slept a decent amount 🙂
Into Athens now!
Got on the train/metro (best way to get to the city for 1,20€!) and got to my airbnb: nice! Did some work and then hit the road!
Had lunch at Greek Stories and that was nice! Finally had Moussaka and it was GOOD. Tried more wine and it was MEH. Oh well haha lots of fresh juices yum! Went to the Acropolis museum and it was nice. Sadly I was too sleepy and fell asleep through the Spanish and English explanation of the Parthenon. I saw that it’s paid for many interesting parts I’d like to see so tomorrow I’ll go. There is a deal for 30€ for Acropolis + other sites but I ended up walking by many of the other sites so I’ll opt out. Passed by a nice shopping area and saw Orbitkey 🙂
Now at dinner at Arcadia… just next door to Greek Stories haha got this Cabbage lemon egg dish with minced beef inside! Laxanodolmas is what it’s called. The waiter typed it for me and taught me:
Poh-LEEEE NOS-timo = Very yummy
Next day: Went straight to Acropolis already busy! Stunning to see the birthplace of theatre and philosophy and democracy! Took lots of photos there and of the city: The architecture is really interesting.
Then Ancient angora: lots of ancient debates for democracy and other political discussions as well.
Then market: it was really only some spices and meat and fish only… but still interesting! TIPS: There are almost always restaurants (in Europe) in the Markets and they are fresh and yummy and cheaper… this was also the case again 😀
Lunch at Aris Taverna @ market. Decent Rose!! From Zitsa’s Winery (east part of greece) yum quite nice.good fried calamari, not too fried and good portion. Very fresh: not too chewy nor smelly. massive cucumber tomato salad! I prefer without feta. There were also green capsicums, red onion and and a few olives 🙂 Got some fresh fruit juice as well. Many takeaway fresh juice bars around 🙂
Checked out Hadrian’s library and Roman Agora. Nice to have a peek.
Back to the flat and had a nap. Didn’t set an alarm to let my body take wants it needs. And that was a 3 hour nap wow! And felt like very deep sleep. Wow!! Now to Maiandros and so so service so far but yes big portions. Got saganaki and tarama dip. Not bad. Nice Rosé maybe that’s more Zitsa’s Winery. Impressed with this rose really!
Sitting next to a table of Americans and 1 guy was large enough I did not see his partner til like way after they ordered!
Gemista was pretty good. so much food haha
Next day, after getting some life admin done, i walked to the temple of Zeus and it was alright. So much construction and hard to see what it was …. National gardens were closed due to fire risk… but there was a parade (every Sunday to show costumes etc) and tons of police so i bet it was that!
and the Lykeion was non existent! I couldn’t find it…
National guards were dressed up like ready for dancing! Billowy sleeves, beige tights, pompom on their shows, massive tassel from their hat …Even the little huts they stood in were cute 🙂
Syntagma square is nice. People were taking lotsa photos of the pigeons…
I got some Loukoumades from this fancy lookin shop, Lukumades. Got the original with honey and cinnamon : yum 🙂 10 for 3,50€ was a lot; I could only finish 8 :p
Then, after almost getting lost, I got to the Ancient archaeological site of the Kerameikos. Cool sculptures outside and inside the museum bit too, including more pottery inside 🙂 Outside the sites, there are usually vendors selling stuff: kitschy souvenirs, jewellery, etc. One stand had some super simple rose gold hoops for 3€ and that was good enough for me to replace the one that got lost in Italy! That other one was really nice from a handmade vendor in Portland, Oregon from the markets back in 2011!
Went home to finish some leftovers for lunch.. so much food! And had a watermelon Somersby cider… tasted like jolly rancher 😦 Oh well. Just had a good 1 hour nap too 🙂
Went to the cute Italian eatery / bar to chill and accidentally ordered an apero lol oh well
TIP: Wifi everywhere! Just ask 🙂
Finished some more leftovers for dinner and packed up. Got decent sleep!
Got to the airport extra early and all went well for the airport. Got to bring my carryon with me and also got both boarding passes yay!!
Airport is nice with free wifi, nice bathrooms, a mini museum too 🙂
Wow Aegean flights had a little USB charger socket, and some wifi to see their tailored content and even free breakfast 😊 got some nice Greek yogurt and honey and a cereal bar 👍 Greek hospitality is really kind, polite and lovely.
Antics & Adventures 