Spectacular Greek Islands

I was just on my way back to Souda Bay, Crete to catch the Patriot Express back to the States. I decided to arrive a day early, so that I would hopefully be ensured a seat back in what I consider the "Navy's best kept secret in the Mediterranean".

Hania is so attractive, it's surprisingly beautiful and warm.  Not just the blisfull Mediterranean climate but the people, their hospitality, the beautiful, crumbling Venetian harbor, the character of the sea town with the rhythm of the Aegian Sea, warm and frisky.  My heart skips a beat everytime the balmy summer waves pound against the shore and the harbor wall.

Hania is just not your average Mediterranean seaport adjacent to a US Naval Base.  It is a location, a destination, a place to prop up your feet and to declare Crete as one of the best, under-rated vacation spots in the cultural, eclectic Greek island chains.

Sometimes, we just don't know the truth from fiction...

The bus ride from the capital city of Heraklion to Chania was nothing short of spectacular.  After another glorious run in Greece, along the sea wall that starts at the Venetian fortress of Koules, running 2 km into the Aegian sea.

The Venetian fortress of Koules serves as a majestic landmark that dominates the entrance to the historic harbor of Heraklion.

Important Seaport

Heraklion is an important shipping and ferry port.   Its airport is the second largest in Greece and named after writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis.  Nikos is most known for his 1946 book, Zorba the Greek which also became a movie starring Anthony Quinn.

Paradise in the Land of Olive Trees

The night before I had dinner in a traditional Cretan Cafe munching on zesty Souvlaki and sipping on Mythos beer -- a mellow, smooth beer that is incredibly light but with the right kick.

The waitress, Maria, told me that she was very happy here.  "What do you think of the crisis?" I asked.  "Not much -- it's bad in the mainland, but here in the island, where we have abundant olive trees and beautiful landscapes, it's Paradise."

Mythical gods also reflected human traits

So in Crete, like I did in Egypt, Athens and Santorini, I would continue to reflect on life and its splendid possibilities.  Like the Mythic character, Narcissist, I would ponder over lakes and lagoons looking at life's reflection.  But unlike Narcissist, I will not linger too long.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the Greek pantheons was their accessibility and their willingness to negotiate with men. The goddess Calypso fell in love with Odysseus, a mortal man, and would not let him leave her island to return home to his family.

What I thought would be another monotonous bus ride turned into an amazingly picturesque journey offering spectacular views of majestic mountain tops rising from the narrow coastal plains.

The entire ride was breathtakingly beautiful.  The secretive and secluded cliffside settings simply took my breath away.

Virtually the entire ride, I was entranced and entralled, sitting on the edge of my seat, while peering out the window, wondering if the island of Crete was more beautiful and luscious than the majestic Santorini.

A book lay next to me, unread.  My Ipod blaring providing the thematic background that made the rugged hills and the plethora of olive trees come alive.

It was then that I realized that Maria the waitress was perfectly right.  This Mediterranean island called Crete is definitely paradise.