Elafonisi Beach

We decided to wait to watch the Nationals first World Series game in the evening and instead start our day driving to the famous Elafonisi Beach despite predictions of high winds.  The 90 minute drive on narrow roads with switchbacks up and down the mountain provided us an opportunity to see more of the Island.

We arrived to an empty beach due to the late season.  We grabbed some chairs and enjoyed one of the top rated beaches in the world.

We successfully avoided social media and texts so we ended the day eating take out gyros and watching the Nat's beat the Astros in the World Series.

Venetian Harbour

Shortly after the Fourth Crusade (1204) and the fall of Byzantium in the Hellenic area, Crete was sold to the Venetians for 100 silver marks. The Venetians managed to subdue the Cretans but in 1263, their rivals of Genoa, with local support, seized the city and held it until 1285, when the Venetians returned. Chania was chosen as the seat of the Rector (Administrator General) of the region and flourished as a significant commercial centre of a fertile agricultural region.  The beautiful Harbour still remains form this era.  

We decided to spend one morning walk around and enjoying an incredible breakfast over looking the old Venetian lighthouse. 

Crete Food Tour

We enjoyed an amazing historical food tour with a food archaeologist.  She showed us the grains the original inhabitants used to make their bread, and she brought us a piece she had made using their methods.

We had a typical breakfast and tea.

We visited the last phyllo dough craftsman.

and tasted the phyllo filled with greek cheese.

The tour continued for several hours, but my camera died!

Arriving in Crete

We decided to spend fall break in Crete.  Greece has been on our bucket list since Frankfurt, but the cost always steered us away.  Flights to Athens and the Islands in one trip are exceedingly high.  So, instead of squeezing both into one trip, we chose Crete, an island with both the historical sites and the beautiful beaches.  We found great flight prices on Ryan Air and a three-bedroom recently-refurbished town house.  

The day before we left, the rental car company called to ensure we had an international drivers licence.  Uh, no.  Greece is one of three countries requiring this paperwork.  Luckily,  I still have my EU licence from Germany that they assured us would be fine.  Until we actually arrived when they refused to rent us the car because its was under Dave's credit card.  We explained we share a credit card, but this argument did not get us far.  Forty minutes and a lot of frustration later, I drove off the lot.

Our townhouse sat one block form the harbour in the non-tourist section of Chania.  Despite a little bickering from our travel companions, we settled in and searched for dinner.  We found a wonderful restaurant on the water, enjoyed our first tastes of Greek food and wine, and admired a breath taking sun set.

 

UN Day at School

The kids' school celebrated the UN and the global community during a fall ceremony and fair.  Owen, sporting his Nationals gear,  MCed the event.  He added a "Go Nats" into his speech since the following week started the World Series.  The assembly opened with kids dressed in traditional clothes walking their countries flag across the stage.  Several Ambassadors, including Ambassador Traina, spoke to the group about the 17 sustainable development goals, especially focusing on the human right to education.

I am continuously amazed by the kids' education here and the focus on how to be better global citizens to create a sustainable future.  I'm not sure I had heard of the UN at their age.

Catching Up Again

I use this blog as a way to track our travels during this tour so I can make a book without having to rely on my brain for details.  I keep allowing months to go by between posts despite fairly regular travels.  Probably because I am much less enthusiastic than the last time.  I love Europe and am fortunate to have lived here five of the last eight years, but I learned I also love creating my own space without government issued furniture and living in an ocean rather than a fish bowl.  These features can't be separated from the experience.

I also just don't like Vienna.  I know that is an outrageous, shocking comment. "What is wrong with you?" says everyone.  It is socially acceptable to hate DC, but you better appreciate every second you spend in this grand (stuffy, formal) place.  People look at me when I voice any disdain "you just have not traveled enough.  you just don't live in the right place.  This is Vienna."  Like the last phrase should be enough to discredit my feelings.

I still love many places in Europe as will be obvious in future posts, but I am at peace now with my feelings about this city, this tour.  It's part of the experience for me.