October 29-30

October 29 - After a night of almost continuous lightning and thunder rolling across the sea, up the cliffs, and back out to sea, we left Sfakia under blazing blue skies and fast moving clouds.

An hour and a half later, we were off the bus. A taxi ride to our hotel, and we were quickly settled in our cozy room overlooking the harbor under ominous skies.

We made a quick trip to the store for some cheese and crackers. Back in the room, we fixed a small snack and I took a two hour nap. It rained off and on all night, but it was warm enough to keep the doors open. I love to listen to the ocean!

October 30 - I took the usual pictures of my view. I could really get spoiled to this in a hurry.

Off to the market. The following are some of my best photos.

Olives

Salted fish

Herbs and spices

Bread

Soap

Scarves . . . Love the colors

Cheese

More herbs and spices.

Fresh fish

I watched this guy carry 10 of these guys into the market two at a time. When I finally decided to take a picture he came in with just one pig, but the hog heads in his left hand were a bonus.

Next task: to find Vranas Studios so we know where to meet Sue and Gordon later today.

It's just to the side of the cathedral.

Orthodox churches share many characteristics in common with Roman Catholic Churches, but in many ways they are very different. It's always interesting to step inside.

One of the colorful heros who grace the square in front of the church.

The variety of goods for sale is almost endless.

I'd like to talk Stanley into a buggy ride, but so far no sale.

Back at the hotel, time to catch up on the blog and listen to the ocean. 

October 26-28 2014

SK

Sunday morning this little taste of magic filled my window. It came in pieces, never quite able to make it all the way across. Amazingly, within just a few minutes the sky cleared and we had a beautiful day for exploring.

The structure on the hill at the edge of town has been called fortifications, a fort, a castle, and a warehouse. I call it intriguing.

We scrambled around the ruins imaging how it might have been in its glory days. I even managed to stumble into a sticker bush . . . Purely for research, you understand. Trying to get the full sense of the place.

We had read about the cistern in the old structure, but we were quite surprised to find an operating water system hidden within the walls.

From the top I felt like I could see forever! What a great lookout point.

Sitting up there with the birds I determined to learn something about this place. 

Since it was Sunday, we took a short tour of the church. 

Lots of graves here, but certainly not all. I wonder where the cemetery is. Something else to find out.

A glass of wine at our favorite taverna, looking up at the ruins, and contemplating.

Back at the apartment, I soon had the poor computer smoking with all my questions. But there is always time for a sunset.

Monday morning we were up early for another sunrise rainbow!

And then off to visit the monuments in town honoring the evacuation of thousands of Allied troops at the end of the Battle of Crete and those Sfakians who were executed by the Nazis for their continued rebellion.

I talked with several people in town about more recent history, went back to the apartment and tried to summarize all I had learned. I posted it under the name A Small History of Sfakia. That pretty much took care of Monday. Just as I was publishing the post, we had another marvelous sunset! Will wonders never cease?!?

Tuesday morning we traded last night's gold for silver clouds.

And then came the thunder and lightening and a rain that has lasted all day long. Not a problem. I had packing to do. 

 Finished off the day with dinner on the water front and sparkling wine back at the apartment. Cheers to all of you! We are leaving Sfakia tomorrow morning. It has been a great visit and I'm already making plans to come back. This may be my new favorite place.

October 24-25

October 24 

We got our two inches of forecasted rain and then some. In fact, it rained off and on all day. At Samaria Gorge, the rain caused so much damage the National Park closed. It will not reopen until next spring.

It looks more like a river than a hiking trail now.

In Athens, the damage was extensive.

Not the place to be. When all is said and done, our two inches wasn't bad at all.

We watched from the safety of our taverna as the sea pitched a fit, splashing around like crazy!

It was so bad we had to go inside. There was no place outside that was safe. Then it started pouring down rain right through the roof. 

No sunset tonight!

October 25

We woke up to bright blue skies and big fluffy white clouds. The change was amazing!

Time for a walk up the hill. We walked about 1/2 mile up the road to Anapoli and then back down.

It was fun looking back at Sfakia as we climbed higher.

A very subtle sunset,

But we enjoyed a yummy creamy risotto.