Day 24 July 8th - Chania, Crete.

^{Chania  (Pronounced Hania) Crete, Greece.}

^{Today we had no tours planned and no destination in mind, except to get away from the port. There was a shuttle bus awaiting us, at least we think it was a bus, but a bus unlike any we had ever seen before, or since. It was close to the width of two buses and was a push-me-pull-you. It had a steering wheel and driver’s seat at both ends, we never did find out why a normal bus would not suffice. In any case it was the cheapest transport of our entire trip, at 3 Euro each.}

^{This ‘bus’ took us away from the port and into the actual town of Chania. We only had to walk a little way to get away from the cruise ship tourist trap part of the town. It was a gorgeous little town of cute buildings, quiet streets and a sunny warmth that soaked right in without being uncomfortable (assuming you were dressed cooly).}

^{As we turned a corner Raina commented on a building that indicated itself to be a ‘fish spa’. She wondered if that meant you took your fish here for a relaxing day. We then realized that it was a food spa where you submerge your feet in a fish tank and a lot of little fish nibble at your feet. Cleaning away the dead skin and increasing the circulation on the skin surface. We were definitely up for it.  So ahead we went. Passers by kept stopping and looking at us in wonderment, amazed at the prospect. We were having a blast and the lady let us stay longer then the allocated time because we were such good advertising. It tickled a bit but not in a bad way. And for the rest of the day, our feet felt amazing.}

^{We strolled the markets, which were lovely, but nothing compared to Athens and Sarah bought some more jewelry. Down by the shore was a beautiful little bay, with a strong WW11 history. The area was lined with restaurants spilling out into the walkway under verandas.  The matre’des were some of the friendliest people you could hope to meet, encouraging you to come into their establishment, but without being pushy. They would call at you as you passed by. They had no problem letting you use the bathroom even without eating there.}

^{Also down here were a few boats selling rides around the coast and snorkel trips. We decided to go on one and set off. The boat ride was pleasant in this glorious weather and dazzling views. The camera was out and in action for the entire trip, everything was so pretty.}

^{We eventually reached a spot to stop and get in to have a swim. We couldn’t wait to get in and grabbed a mask and snorkel each. Unfortunately there was only one pair of fins available (after about three other people grabbed theirs first) so we made do with one each. The water was not as warm as it looked but still magnificent. Not so much to look at however, a few little grey fish and one sea urchin. But we had fun, because we were swimming in the Aegean Sea.}

^{After our boat trip we sat at a restaurant on the shore and ate some classic Greek food and Sarah had another of those odd iced coffee drinks and Raina her iced chocolate. While we were dinning and enjoying the buskers with their piano accordions, which the matre’de would tip a few coins to keep them around, a man with a pile of pirated DVDs came to our table. Sarah had a flick through them, half interested. Films like Thor, Iron Man, Inception, Harry Potter…and…that one about the woman and the Labrador, on the bed, “My eyes, my eyes, my eyes!!!!!!!!” Sarah was most horrified to have her eyes scarred with the images she saw on some of these DVD covers. After the matre’de chased him away it went back to being a lovely afternoon.}

^{We wandered back towards the bus (like creature) and got lost in some charming little streets. In one that was covered in plants growing on the walls was a man sleeping on a chair next to a Vespa scooter and a sleeping cat.} 

^{We walked up a hill and looked at the view of the town and marveled at the picturesque quaintness. Then we found a gypsy lady taking photos in front of a spectacular view of people holding her pet snake. Sarah, the great snake lover jumped at this chance.  Then back to the ship for a nap. Sarah went and played a round of putt-putt golf with a guy from New Jersey - an Irish/Italian Catholic from New Jersey. Awesome.}

^{Being the last night before an at-sea-day this was bound to be a big party night. It was also Quest night. The adult game show. Which eventuated in Sarah bent over in compromising positions in front of about one thousand people. Oh dear.}

Then to the bar and club, the night of course ended up in the hot tubs, until one fool dropped his glass in the water smashing it and we all got locked out of the big spa. But the little one would do, so about twenty people packed into the small spa. 

Sarah had to be educated by the Florida-Boys on the vast difference between a “Fiesta fowl” and a “Siesta fowl”, as she was chanting. Sarah made it home to bed somewhere a little after six am. On her way home a number of people comment to her that it was god to see a young person up and exercising early.