Memories of Crete Greece

Memories of Greece Crete Specifically Chania

Ah the Greek Island of Crete, you won my heart. I will be coming back. It’s an easy flight – loving me RyanAir and the low costs. There is a small uncomplicated airport here in Crete with the bus stand right outside, cost 2.5€ to town, Chania. From there it was another 1.8€ for the bus to my Airbnb, which was right across the street from the ocean with an amazing view and only $23 per night. I can get used to this. I wandered up the street a few miles (Amina thinks it was 2.5k) and when everything started to just repeat (hotel, restaurant, supermarket, bar, hotel, restaurant, supermarket, bar, hotel…) I stopped & found a small path between the building into Amina’s Beach Bar. Super cool – sat at the bar and had a grand old time. Met Amina the owner & she took care of me, even giving me a couple of free drinks. Yep – I plan on coming here each day. Had a gyro pita for 2.70€ and walked back to my room, just in time for the sunset. It’s a good day…

Slept in (because I can), then walked the opposite direction from yesterday, but more of the same (restaurant, supermarket, car rentals, bar, etc.), so I moved off the roadway and on to the beach – walking with my toes in the sand and rocks. Found a restaurant right on the beach, with an incredible view, I could spit the Greek Olive Pits into the sea. Salavantes has been in the same location in Crete since 1949. I thoroughly enjoyed the grilled fresh caught sardines and sautéed Mountain Greens (Horta). As is typical here in Crete the meal comes with fresh bread, three dipping sauces, and Greek olives, plus with the bill came a small dessert sampling and Raki (the local “moonshine”). All this, plus beer and OMG did I mention the view, for 17.80€. Bought a bottle of Metaxa for my room and just soaked up the Vitamin Sea. Oh, tried the Fried Snails, a local’s delicacy at Sinusia – thoroughly enjoyed them, definitely worth seeking out…

Bus system is easy to use in Crete but no signage, bus notations of what is next or where you are, so need someone to translate. There is usually an attendant on the bus to check/sell tickets so they can help, sometimes the shout out the stops so you know.

I really want to come back here – I think if it all works out after I meet up with friends back here in Greece in August, I may just stay for a month in Crete.

Travel Tips:

• Wave down the bus to board, pay the attendant and tell them where you need to go
• Alpha Beers seems to be “the” thing – only 3€ for 500ml. Note you will typically get a salty snack with your drink: chips, popcorn, peanuts
  • Also w/meal you get bread, dipping sauce, olives, Raki & small dessert w/bill
• Yes – tipping is appropriate, 10% is usually good or round up the drink/snack
• Supermarket is a shop for everything – beach stuff, suntan lotion, ice cream, snacks, grocery, liquor, tackle, sundries

Five ways to save Money:

1. Don’t order desert in the restaurants – you usually get something with the bill
2. Buy bus tickets in advance (some stops have a kiosk) 1.20€ vs. 2€ on the bus
3. Buy drinks or snack from beach bar and most will Comp the beach chair/umbrella fee (typically 5€)
4. Shop at the Supermarket in Town, not the ones along Beach Drive
5. Drink beer, it’s the least expensive beverage on the menu

Five for Free:

1.  Dessert & usually Raki w/your meal from sit-down restaurants
2. The Sunsets – Every Night…
3. Romantic walks on the Beach
4. Walk out to the Old Port Lighthouse
5. Hike in the Samaria Gorge National Park (you can get there by bus)

TripAdvisor Reviews:

Sebastians

Salavantes since 1949

Aminas Beach Bar

Sinusia