Arrived from the high speed ferry at about 11 pm. I have no idea what people are talking about when they say there are people waiting for you to offer you places to stay. Haven't found that in Athens or in Crete. Maybe the other islands. I got off the huge ferry and walked along the side walk pushing my silly suitcase, backpack and purse. I look wonderful. Do I have a big "tourist" sign hanging on me? Johanna had warned me about the suitcase but I didn't listen. Mothers know best. Plus I had to take my hair straightner and many full size hair products. It is so hot here that I didn't even wash my hair this morning. I figure my showers will be in the afternoon before going out in the evening. Not that I have done that yet. So enough of my whining (not the good wine either). I am still suffering from homesickness something fierce but feel it may be subsiding a bit as I got up this morning and booked some excursions.

I found where the Catholic Church was and I am going to rent a bike and ride there this afternoon. I will also see some other sites on the way. I have no idea what I am looking for but will keep my eyes posted. Probably so posted I will run into a lamp post and end my biking career right there. There are some amazing old ruins around town. Apparently this town has most of the history. It is amazing to see how the fighting between the Turks and the Greeks has gone on for years. They still are not very fond of each other. Also there are so many lost cities due to the many volcanoes and earthquakes that happen here. It turns out that when they were digging the subway system in Athens they have discovered three other cities. One on top of each other. Who knows as they dig deeper they may discover more. The dig sites in Athens were amazing.

Tomorrow I am being picked up at 5:30 am to go on an 18 km hike in the Samaria Gorge. The bus will take me up the north coast of Crete  and up to the White Mountains to the opening of the gorge. It is at 1100 m. After the hike we get on a boat and go to Agia Roumeli, the village at the end of the gorge. It is a full day workout so maybe I can drop some weight. I am so glad that I brought my new super duper running shoes. I do want to go for a run along the beach right outside my hotel. There is 22 km of straight beach right out my door. So a nice jog would do me good. It is just that I have made plans and they don't include running.

That takes care of Saturday and Sunday. On Monday I am going on a Quad Safari. I leave the base and go through gorges and see some archeological structures and several caves. We go to museums and cross old stone bridges. We also abandon our quads and go on a boat to swim in caves. So this trip has excitement, ruins, digs, and swimming.

Tuesday I am going scuba diving. I have never dove before so this is something I have always wanted to do. Haven't booked it yet so I might chicken out.

I have not quite figured out how to add new journal entries to the same date. You will have to go back to old entries to see what I have added. I added some old town stuff but it is showing up in some old journal entry. If someone can figure it out let me know. I just had the funniest experience. I am now going to let the ladies know that an upcoming feature on my blog is going to be "Banana Hammocks". I am currently taking pictures of unsuspecting  gentlemen in their bathing suits. At a later date when I have compiled a fair number I will post it as "Banana Hammocks" Now I have a mission. I don't care if anybody talks English. I am on the search for lovely bathing suits. I will even go so low as to catch glimps of women in different attire. Now I know everyone will keep watching the blog in GREAT ATTICIPATION!!!!!

Coming soon to a theater in your area...... "Banana Hammocks in Greece  2008) I might just get nominated for an Academy Award.

Great place in the middle of Rethymno. Close to the beach, plenty of places to eat or go out for a drink in the evening. Also a short walk to the bus staion. Rethymno is centrally located on Crete and this hostel makes for a great place to base many day trips from because of this. The staff is great and very helpful. Ivan is the MAN and will even go out with you to have a great time. This hostel has cheap beer and wine as well as some other eats and drinks. There is a nice common area where everyone usually gathers to have some drinks, cook and eat, and talk about the day as well as future plans. The hostel definitely has everything the budget traveler needs including a great atmosphere and wonderful staff. I plan on going back as well as nearly everyone I met while there. *tip* - at the Rethymno Bus Station there is a map posted on the outside wall to show you how to get to the hostel, take a quick picture to use as a reference to find it,an easy walk if you do not have many bags

As I am sitting here in woolen socks and long sweater wondering if i should try getting warm with maybe some shots of vodka I decide to finish my Crete blog. Right, I need to get over with these memories of warm countries, sunny beaches and blue water! So this is the last part...

Rethymno is a very narrow city. It looks like a worm spread by the sea and it is no more than 5-6 streets deep. But so much is hidden in these streets. Once you go away from the Venetian Port, once you get into the area where people live, it gets so different. We didn't see it first time. And when I was left alone the second day in Rethymno I saw these beautiful pictures... When you walk along these streets, some doors are open and if you are really quiet you can look inside and see people living a life. There are old couples living in just one room, sitting on matrasses watching old tv's, there are some machos with long hair cooking something in the kitchen and there are all these details that make it all so interesting and romantic and a bit sad. I can't explain :)

So I got back to hotel, got under a heavy rain (thanks God the last day), got a little drunk with wine, had some long midnight talks with friends and in the morning started packing...

Going to Rethymno was the highlight of whole trip. Next time (if i ever get to Crete) I want to stay in Rethymno. This is the cutest little town, well, not that small, third in the size in Crete. We went there two days in a row and didn't spend enough time.

Fist time we went around 4pm, as it was just 20 minutes from our place. That day we decided to ... hm... have a diet and drink nothing but juice. And we managed to do so until we got to Rethymno. There we got in the first taverna we saw and had a big plate of greek salad together with fresh baked bread with butter. And of course coffee. What could be better? As every big town in Crete, Rethymno has a Venecian Port, the gathering of tourists and people trying to make money out of it. There is a long street full of restaurants and tavernas and I have to say, it is a bit scary. We went as fast as we could and every waiter was after us calling to come inside, almost pulling us inside. They weren't even stopped by the baby we were together, calling us sexy mamas and whistling. This could be fun if it wasn't the way they were "inviting" everyone. No, i am not complaining, the town is a charm.

We bought some souvenirs and headed back to the bus station as we wanted to make it to the dinner in the hotel. so much for the diet :))