Day 24 - Sunday May 7 - Suda Bay & Rethymnon Greece

By Ellen Outten

 

16th century fountain modernized ?? in the 17th century by the Venetians when they took control of Greece.

We're still in Greece at an unplanned stop.  Today we should have been in Herkalion Greece on the island of Crete.  But strong winds and bad weather made the Captain decide not to port there.  Instead we received notice that we would be porting in Suda Bay, Greece, still on the island of Crete.  Suda Bay is about 77 miles west but the weather was absolutely perfect.  

Wayne has a history with Suda Bay.  He was here while in submarine service while, as he would say, chasing communists for Christ.   His submarine, the USS Whale SSN638, the steely eyed killer of the deep, had a conflict with a Russian ship in Suda Bay.  He'll be glad to tell you the rest.  All you need to do is ask.  He never made land here in Suda Bay until today and was happy to finally do so.   There's still a NATO naval base still here which services the US 6th fleet in the Mediterranean.

The tour we were to go on was changed to a walking tour of the town of Rethymnon, about 30 miles east (or almost halfway back to Herkalion).   What a beautiful little town.   It is Sunday here and so the quiet little town was still mostly asleep.   Almost 800 of us from the ship descended on this town about 8 am we we had it all to ourselves.   

The national highway runs along the coastline of Crete and I was able to take some pictures of the beautiful water and shoreline.  On the other side are the White Mountains, which get snow in the winter and provide Crete with the water from their springs.  The island is beautiful; the little I saw - with mountains on one side and the beautiful Suda Bay leading out to the Aegean Sea.

Views of the mountains as we drove toward Rethymnon ( i love spelling this town name).  I've got it down pat!

Views of the White Mountains



The fortress above the city on the way into Rethymnon



We arrived in Rethymnon and took a short one hour walking tour of the older part of the city.  We followed the guide through the town stopping here and there.   It's just a beautiful older town. I could almost picture myself living in this beautiful seaside town; if only I spoke Greek.

The small harbor of Rethymnon         The Ministry of Culture bldg. town museum & shop

An Ottoman wall sculpture (??) showing the Ottoman's conquered Greece in the distant past.  The 2nd picture is of the Muslim mosque

The minaret behind the muslim mosque (most important of the 3 in town as it 2 balconies) but no explanation why there were two.


The building that houses the spring water behind the mosque


Some beautiful pictures of the tow of Rethymnon

I found it funny - the name on the Pizza restaurant (in Crete, Greece)

More of that beautiful 16th - 17th century fountain

The town square

Paintings on the wall near the town square

What a beautiful little town - quiet on a Sunday morning

Wall art and beautiful bougainvillea above the buildings providing shade

This was an old monastery now converted to a hotel and restaurant.  The floor is mosaic.  Another quilt pattern or an applique pattern for Mary Duclos?

All from the same hotel, The Veneto Hotel and Restaurant


MY fountain again

We stopped at a Greek Ortodox church but couldn't go in as there was a memorial service going on



When our tour ended we stopped for a coffee (more for the bathroom in the cafe) and then off we went for just a little bit more shopping.  Wayne thinks I'm going to need another suitcase.   Hmmm, he could be right.  I'm glad he brought his hand scale.   But, I packed a small second suitcase inside my big suitcase.  I am prepared if need be.

Coffee stop and a beautiful picture of the tables at the cafe

These are concrete barriers to keep landing craft from coming ashore (as in WWII).  They're stashed on the beach.  It makes you realize this beautiful island was taken over the Italians in WWII and shortly after in 1941 by the Germans (Nazis)


The drive on the coast road back to the ship


A more modern church on the coast road, ride, back to the ship.  The waters were so blue and clear.


Lunch back on the ship on the aft deck looking over Suda Bay

On the bus ride back to the ship, I sat on the sea side of the bus and saw the beautiful water crashing on the beach.   It was picture perfect.  

So far, an easy day, 4700 steps.  Tomorrow, Rhoades, Greece, our last stop in Greece before we arrive in Turkey.  

Things I find interesting, because I am who I am.

Name on the restaurant.   I guess Culdesac is a Greek word.   The restaurant was on a bend in the road.

This sign was on the gate where the buses parked.  I think it says Don't Block the Gate.... but I could be wrong.




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