Chania, Crete (Greece)

            Although “Souda” was the name of the port in Crete, it was the city “Chania,” six kilometers distant that was the attraction. Traveling by a loaned “City Bus,” 3 euros round trip, we were delivered to the city center that bordered the walled ancient city. Entering through a fascinating marketplace with all kinds of recently killed or caught animals and fish, a diversity of fruit, pastries, olive oil and olives, and much, much more, we emerge into the ancient quarter. Debbie and I receive a text from Becky who, with Brian, Angela, and Justin, was behind us. We reconnoitered in the market.

            After strolling by hundreds of colorful shops with all kinds of souvenirs, trinkets, clothing, belts, scarves, and more, we find a “Sea Fish Foot Therapy” establishment. Justin checked it out and convinced all (but me) to try it. For 5 euros per ten minutes, you dunk your feet into a fish tank and hundreds of small fish rush to the feet to eat dry skin away. The tickling sensation and totally new experience produced all kinds of hilarity and laughter. What fun! My job was to take pictures with all the cameras, and this I did well.

            Ray and Monica, we find out later, stayed in “Souda” to explore and experience the shops and sights near the ship. They too had an interesting time. Back in the city, the rest of us walked to the sea to enjoy the fortifications that formed the harbor. Old structures, often integrated with new materials, dated back 3,000 years. Crete, given its strategic location in the Mediterranean, has been the site of many, many battles and wars. The most recent was a successful invasion by the Germans in World War II defeating the Allies.

            After coffee and more strolling about, we board the bus to return to the ship. On the way, I encounter a man selling canes who is fascinated by my “Hurrycane.” I stand back a few feet and demonstrate how it comes apart, folds, and can be stored like in on overhead compartment of an airplane; and then, how it extends and pops back into a straight position in less than a second. Now he is in awe of it, and wants to see if I would sell it to him. After some negotiation – all his canes for my one – I settle on 100 euros. He laughed (just like I would if buying one of his canes if even for 5 euros). I dropped it to 80, but no soap. He was a friendly chap, and several side streets later I went through the same routine with another man selling canes (or “walking companions” as my friend Steve calls them). And again, it was fun to put him on the other side of hawking one’s wares.

            Debbie’s favorite part of the venture into the old city was sitting on the seawall protecting the harbor from rather strong waves entering from the sea. I almost captured her there in a picture but another tourist invaded her space and the opportunity was lost. Afterwards there was a very old ancient structure that had been converted into a restaurant by the seawall. There I enjoyed a double espresso while Debbie a special fruit drink that she claimed to be the best of the voyage.

            Returning to the ship I napped for a full two and a half hours; wonderful! Debbie for a shorter period, but all the walking had taken a toll. It was a “formal” evening in the dining room, but I was a bit defiant and was therefore much more comfortable than most. The food continued to meet expectations, and sometimes exceeds them. I plan to give a “Wow” card for excellent customer service to our Assistant Waiter Radu from Romania. I like him very much; soft spoken, young (age 23), quiet and pleasant, always wanting to meet your needs with little fanfare. A photographer comes around to take pictures and we comply. I believe Debbie is going to post the group photo (which she scanned using her cell phone), as well as one from a previous night.

            Two card games tonight – Hand & Boot (which Debbie and I won two rounds – and count two since a stupid 1,000 point penalty cost us a clean victory in one of them; geez, these travelers are so competitive) and “Apples and Apples (a play on words – a take off from “Apples and Oranges expression).” The later a new experience! It is an adult game using a play on words theme – matching adjectives with nouns and proper names. Becky was the instigator and the rest of us became grateful early. We laughed perhaps harder than anytime previously; so much so that Brian (maybe it was Becky, there is much conjecture) knocked over Brian’s drink on the floor; Angela broke two glasses; Justin kept dropping cards on the floor; and I was the big winner of most games, Debbie and Justin did well too. I’m sure we will be purchasing the game when we return to the States.

            It was past midnight when we departed the card room; it was another good day.