Iraklio in Central Crete

Iraklio harbour
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After a loud night at the Rethymno Youth Hostel (loud snoring), we took a midmorning bus east to Iraklio.  We had two days left with Damon who was flying out on Monday.

We called ahead and got a room at the Hellas Rent Rooms where we got a large room to ourselves with 4 single beds and a large balcony.  We took it easy that afternoon and after pushing ourselves through the gorge the day before.  At least we thought we'd take it easy after Damon and Aidan insisted on walking to the end of the Old Harbour's jetty (which is about 2.5 km long).

Knossos Palace
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On Saturday we went to Knossos which is about 5 km southeast of Iraklio and about 20 minutes by bus.  Knossos was the capital of Minoan Crete.  The ruins of Knossos (and the home of the mythical Minotaur kept by King Minos) were uncovered by Sir Arthur Evans in the early 1900s.  Evans was so thrilled with his discovery that he spent 35 years and lots of his own money excavating and renovating parts of the palace.  There were some criticisms as to the reconstructions accuracy, however, the site gave a really good idea as to what a Minoan Palace might have looked like.  Plus there were peacocks screaming and running around, as well as stray cats which we've noticed all over the islands.

Later that afternoon, we went out for dinner to a seafood restaurant.  For appetizers we got vine leaves and stuffed peppers.  Ainsley thought she'd play it safe and ordered a Greek salad.  Instead of the traditional feta cheese, tomato and olives, she got tuna, shrimp and yogurt on her salad which was given to Aidan and Damon.  Aidan (being adventurous) ordered cuttle fish, which was not cuddly and not even a fish but some kind of squid with a long tentacle.  Damon, after making sure he was getting a fish, ordered Atherina which was a plate of little fish complete with head and tail.  (Aidan and Damon joked that they looked like french fries in their batter.)  We all dined well that night.