The guy dropping off the car was super cool. He went over the forms, the car (tiny blue Volkswagen),and was suprised at the rental price we had. We booked it months ago at like 32 euro each day. He was saying it peaked in August at like 100 a day and theyve been having car supply issues just like everyone else. We asked about parking because we were doing the Heraklion Museum for a couple hours. Hes like well the spot its in is for people with car passes, but on Sundays no cops are doing it so its fine.
We headed to the museum which was about 10 minutes out. Tons of fun, had really amazing stuff from as early as 5000bc and forward on crete. The "Minoan" culture, a very bronze age civilazation was on crete with early and sophisticated technology, like a written language, a flushing toilet and stone sewer, jewelry, pottery, art, etc. The artifacts are mostly from different "palace" sites around crete. Theyre mostly rubble and ruins but the artefacts pulled from them and restored are pretty crazy.
After a couple hours we got through everything. We skimmed the roman rule section as it was less interesting and headed out. Driving in Heraklion is way WAY more chill than athens. People seem to follow traffic laws. By the way this was second time getting gas. Dont complain about gas prices in the U.S. the rentals came at 3/8 full. This time it was 50 euro to fill up the other 5/8. So like 58 usd for a little more than half a tank.
We drove south to Knossos. This is a Minoan ruin that has kind of a double history to it. Besides being a huge palace likeco plex that was a center of trade in ancient times, in 1890ish a British Archaeologist Arthur Evans discovered it and was very liberal with naming things, beliefs he had about the culture, and even felt he should restore the ruins (to what he imagined they might look likebased on what hed found). So where there were rubble outlines of walls he built up concrete and plaster walls. He added artwork where he thought it could be. Second levels and decorations like red paint on coljmns were added. This gives a really good look at what his vision as 1900 explorer man had for the ruins, but fairly misleading to what the items and ruins actually show. To me super interesting.
There was enough sparse shade Sarah survived. On the way out Sarah got some fresh pomegranate juice from a stand. It was kind of vegetably tasting without sugar added. Not quite bad but kind of just ok. Was cold though.
From there part 1 of road trip started. We drove to Chania, 2.5 hours west. We stopped for food and to. Check out the old port. Chania was built by the Venetians when they were in charge of Crete (it changed hands a lot). So it has a cute lighthouse and venice style homes and alleys.
After lunch we headed out to Fellasarna, a nearby town where our hotel is. We missed the turn the first time, its a little alley covered in trees on the sides. We were greeted by Fanis the guy who runs it. Really friendly and the room is adorable with a sea view. Its called Villa Georgia Apartments and it is more of an apartment room than a hotel room. He gave us some recommendations but they seemed a little more tourist geared than what were trying for tonight or tomorrow. Sarah has been a littke wobbly since the boat ride. So I walked to a nearbyish Souvlaki place. It was ok. Lunch was the best today for sure.
Currently in bed, heading out earlyish tomorrow. Ill try and add some photo captions today.
Fresco of bull jumper. Apparently it was pretty fun to watch. There are also some figures depecting bull leaping
Bull Head Rhyton (ceremonial drinking vessel). Half of it was a reconstruction. Youd drink fron under his snooter and fill it via the neck. 1550 BC
A male siren, lots of funny lookin stuff
This postcard-esque is a complete fabrication from Arthur Evans imagination. The fresco is a copy of a real one found elsewhere. Theres also current issues with the way these reconstructioms were done where they need repairs or reconstruction themselves.
The "throne room". The stone chair and bowl and benches were found here. Everything else is a restoration
Sat under this olive tree for some shade
Mmmm pomegranate
Chania Venetian Harbor
Pork in orange sauce, extremely good, peppery. A pepper, mizithra, and tomato sandwich, and mizithra with olive oil, rigani (Greek oregano), and bread.
Military is a sheep cheese made on Crete
A common thing after meals on crete is Raki and orange cake. Thus was my first time having Raki. Surprisingly good for a very hard liquor shot. It's 90 proof. Comes in a small pitcher with shot glasses. I got through 4 Sarah did 2 and was OK with it. Cakes were cute and tasty this place was great. Also knew it'd be at least OK since it was in an alley away from the main tourist spots and it was just Greeks eating there.
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