Palace of Knossos and Oia
Trip Start
Apr 22, 2011
1
13
15
Trip End
May 07, 2011
Cruising-Crete and Santorini, Greece
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Crete and Santorini
This morning we stopped in Heraklion, Crete. I opted to take a tour to Knossos Palace, where the mythological Minotaur lived in the labyrinth under the palace. The site was very interesting, although not a whole lot remained. A lot of the columns and frescoes were reconstructed and not originals but it helped to imagine what the palace might have looked like in it's prime.
The site was packed with tour groups though, and I think I might have gotten to that point where I start to really dislike other tourists, especially ones who have to take a picture with every step they take and have absolutely no qualms cutting in front of you or walking into your picture. It usually happens at the end of any vacation and it's probably a good sign that it's time to go home.
We went back to the ship and had lunch on the pool deck. That afternoon I reorganized my suitcase and took a much needed nap. I awoke refreshed and ready when we docked in Santorini.
We tendered to port and took a bus to Oia, the quintessential town that you see in all the postcards. I love Oia, and have ever since I went there two years ago. We had free time to walk around and shop and I immediately went to my favorite overlook where you have a great view of the caldara and also the white houses built along the cliffs. I stayed there for a good while admiring the view, then shopped on my way back to the town square, picking up a very pretty hand-blown glass candle holder and vase. I have accumulated quite a quantity of breakable souvenirs on this trip and I only hope that everything makes it home in one piece!
We next stopped in Fira, and again were given free time to walk around and explore. I shopped, ate ice cream, then took the cable car down to the old port and tendered back to the ship, watching a beautiful sunset in the process.
Once back on the ship, I opted to have a quick dinner at the buffet then went back to my cabin to finish packing. I fully intended to meet up with the rest of the group later that evening, but I felt absolutely exhausted and decided to turn in early instead. It turned out that the rest of the group called it a fairly early night also. I think everyone was worn out.
