Kalimera
Winter is a tough season – the days are short, the nights are dark and long, and the thermometer rarely rises above single digits. But with Spring (just about) upon us, bluer skies and warmer weather of southern Europe beckon, and we were up well before the larks to head to the airport for our first adventure of 2025, a week in Crete.
We soared over the magnificent snowy alps before landing, some four hours later, at Heraklion airport on Greece’s largest island of Crete.
We hopped on a local bus (euro 1.20 each) to take us the 10 minutes from the airport to Heraklion town, from where we were to catch another bus/coach to Rethymno – home for the next 5 days. Now, I must confess, on first impression of Crete, via Heraklion, we weren’t blown away by the beauty, charm and character of a typical Greek island, but I suspect that was just because we saw the utilitarian, practical parts of the island. We return for a few days to Heraklion at the end of our trip, so will report back then.
Having whizzed through the airport faster than expected, at the bus station we did ask if we could catch an earlier bus than the one we had booked, but unfortunately it was full, so we had an hour or so to wait until our bus. Hungry, and a little tired (we’d been up since 2.30 am) we decided to grab something to eat at the bus station. Now, in the UK, bus station food would be over priced and underwhelming. Not here in Greece. We went to the station cafe, the menu was all in Greek – actually a good sign that there was no English translation – with a combination of pointing and Google translate, we came away with two plates: roasted mixed vegatables and potatoes for six euros, and 3 big, delicious meatballs and rice for seven euros. Both meals were generous in size, “home cooked” and delicious. We’ve even earmarked the possibility of returning to the bus station cafe for a meal when we return to Heraklion – something you’d never dream of doing back home.
We took the bus (1 hr 30 mins, 9 euros each) to Rethmyno – I’d love to be able to tell you of the magnificent mountain scenery swooping down to the blue sea, but I soon feel asleep! We arrived in Rethmyno and found our hotel – a gem, I’m sure I’ll write more of that later – and set off into the evening sun. We wandered the streets, enjoyed a beer looking out over the harbour, before enjoying a fantastic Greek meal, albeit indoors as the evening temperature makes sitting outside a little chilly.
We both (and me, in particular) need some time to relax and recharge, and a week in Greece in early April is just what Dr Hap-pea-travels prescribed.
Yamas!
