Chania, Crete 🇬🇷

 


Today we are in the city of Chania, on the Greek island of Crete.  Well, sort of.  Our ship is in fact docked in Souda, which is the actual port town about 20 minutes away by bus.  We think Chania is a relatively new destination offered by Princess.  Hopefully they will work the bugs out of their communication about this port before much time passes.  We were told to get up in the morning and present ourselves to the internet cafe where we would receive complimentary shuttle tickets to get us to town.  We were subsequently told that the complimentary tickets would cost 5 euros each.  This was puzzling but we were undaunted until it came time to find the internet cafe.  On this ship we have a daily newsletter, ship diagrams on every deck, informational television in every cabin, and the Princess app on all of our phones.  In none of these places is there a map to demonstrate where to find the Internet cafe.  We had to locate it in much the same way that Columbus discovered the New World.  It turned out to be a space that may previously have been a closet housing a mop.  Nonetheless, I’m saying they should put it on their maps if they’re going to hand stuff out there!

Our reward for finding the Internet cafe was that the 5 euro tickets were complimentary again.  Yay!  We got on the bus and were deposited at a location 20 minutes later having no idea where we were.  Luckily, the town of Chania had a map that had Chania on it so we and our shipmates found our way to the Old Town and harbour.

As you’ll see in the pictures attached, Chania is situated on a very protected harbour with a lighthouse overlooking it and countless restaurants and shops lining the waterfront.  We learned by visiting some of these shops that Cretans aren’t shy about peddling souvenirs of every sort that are shaped like questionable body parts (I wanted a bottle opener shaped like a pancreas but they were sold out).

We found that a hike around the harbour in each direction was enough to say that we’d seen the place, so by lunch time we returned to the ship to enjoy the pool deck and then our balcony.  We’re very glad that our cabin is on the shady side of the boat today.

Tomorrow is a day at sea, so assuming you don’t want to see pictures of the buffet, we won’t post again for a couple of days.

Cheers.


Sunrise on the Mediterranean 

Coming into Souda Port, Crete

It was a little challenging to read the signs😉

The Turkish Mosque Yiali Tzami (or Giali Tzami) is hard to miss, as it dominates the Venetian Harbour of Chania. The mosque is an imposingly large, square building with a great dome supported by four flying arches.
We found it currently houses an art gallery.

Old Town Venetian port of Chania




We made it to the lighthouse before the crowds. This lighthouse was built in 1864 to replace the Venetian lighthouse and bring it up to current standards😉

Had to dip my toes in the Mediterranean 

Many little fish in the turquoise sea

Many black and white kitties protecting the harbour.

The Venetian-built Firka Fortress overlooks the harbour.

Only 6 km to walk the port but at 31C it felt a tad farther.


Back to the ship…

The view from our balcony as we enjoyed a late 
afternoon beverage 🍻








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