Rethymno, Crete

When we asked our AirBnB host, Nopi and Manolis, where would you go? Nopi did not hesitate to say, "Rethymno", so that is where we've spent our last 5 days on this beautiful island of Crete. Northwest of Heraklion, it is a 16th century fishing port with 40,000 year-round inhabitants. During summers, it swells to three times that number, but while we're here, it's winter (at 15 degrees), and most shops, bars and restaurants are closed. We don't mind, enough is open that we can wander happily. We've booked a hotel for this portion, me being in desperate need of some comfort and an endless supply of hot water for baths.

The centre of its Port, most buildings date from when the Venitians conquered the city in the 16th century, establishing a trading port between Heraklion in the centre and Chania on the west coast. We are so happy to recognize the cultural details of Renaissance architecture here in Crete!

A web photo of the city, beautiful! We did take a similar photo from not as high up. Lovely, lovely port.

Tall ships, fishing boats, charter cruisers, rainbows, spectacular sunsets, lovely, lovely people.

The streets, and a world protected turtle nesting site on some of the Beaches.

We drove up to he back far hills to have a walk around the University of Crete. Sadly, it's a series of buildings in disrepair, garbage everywhere, still a working university, but we think the state of he economy have hit budgets hard. Approximately 2000 students attend in a limited number of programs, there being 2 other campuses on Crete.  Outside of the Faculty of Education, we come upon a series of beautiful mosaics, done by students, what looks to be a graduating contribution. It's lovely!

So much color here. Upper right photo is the local middle school, attached to a very big public square, with a mosque at one end. The globe highlights Crete as the centre of the European continent. 

So much history, the Fortress built by the Venetians. This was he centre of many of Marc's running routes, so thrilled that so much of where he ran was waterfront.  He's getting pretty darn fit, not just with distance, but everywhere we've been is not flat!

Well, our 3.5 weeks on Crete has come to an end. It surprised us in so many ways. It was way more beautiful than we imagined. The people. The people! The PEOPLE! The food. I've never tasted such good, simple food. Fresh, local ingredients. I will never taste lamb cutlets like that again. Raki = local moonshine. UGH. Marc managed quite a bit of it! It's unfriendly to refuse he offer, so he often had both!  Bye, bye Crete, we loved you.