Greece and Crete

On May 17 we woke up early and packed up the motor home to go to storage. Kristy and two of the girls came by to take us to the airport. We flew to Chicago, had a longish wait, and then on to JFK airport in New York. We stayed overnight and the next day took train and subway into the city for lunch at Sardi's. We especially enjoyed the many charicatures of famous actors and actresses which cover the walls of this restaurant. Adam, our waiter, was very friendly and is a struggling writer/actor. We tried the Eggs Benedict and, of course, NY cheesecake. Then back to the airport for an evening flight to London.

The next morning arrived very soon, and we disembarked to meet our friends Phyllis and Pat from Conn. who will be traveling with us on this trip. We then caught a flight to Athens and there spent the night in a hotel. Early the next morning we were collected at the hotel and taken to the airport for an hour flight to Crete.

In Crete we have toured the capitol city, Heraklion, visited the palace of Knossos where King Minos kept the minotaur prisoner in his Labyrinth about 4000 years ago. The artifacts that are on display in the museum are spectacular, very beautifully crafted, and show a very high degree of artistry not typically seen at that time. The palace was discovered and unearthed about the turn of the last century and is partially reconstructed. We have also been taken into the mountains to visit a local cooperative that makes cookies and wedding decorations and to have lunch in the home of one of the women of the coop. The food was delicious. We have enjoyed the shopping in the city and strolling the winding small streets, being careful to get out of the way of the ever present motor bikes. Sunset down by the harbor last night was especially beautiful. The people speak English and many signs are in both Greek and English, so it is easy to get around or understand and/or be understood. The weather has been warm but bearable with the breezes from the sea. Tomorrow we fly back to Athens and spend several days there to enjoy the local sights and sounds. Parthenon, here we come!!