Greek Islands of Crete and Santorini

 October 1, 2023

Day Three of the Cruise

Island of Crete

This morning we awoke docked at the Greek Island of Crete which is equal distance from Europe, Asia, and Africa.  We visited the excavated ruins of the Minoan Culture.  These excavations are from people who lived here 5,000 years BC.  King Monos lived in a palace that had a labyrinth of rooms.  Our guide, a young woman named Kalia, told us the background story of the Minoan myths that involve Zeus and the Minotaur.  The ruins include building with limestone blocks and wood.  Storage of food was done in cellars and large clay jars.  Aqueducts are used to bring water to the city and clay pipes to feed into the palace.

Limestone blocks

Minoan Prince

Storing Jars

After our tour of the Minoan ruins, our tour bus took us to the nearby city of Heraklion.  Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the fourth largest city of Greece.  Our guide walked us to the Lion's Square and gave us time to look around and get some lunch.  It's stores and restaurants give it the feel of a modern European city.  We bought some Greek postage stamps and mailed some postcards.  

       The Lions Fountain in Heraklion

   

This Office of National Tourism has signs on its front door that says NO TOURIST INFORMATION HERE. !!!!

Now we return to the ship.  After lunch we had use of the main ship's lounge, the Muse's Lounge, for the celebration of Mass.  It was nice to share worship with other travelers who weren't part of our group.  The afternoon excursion will be to the Island of Santorini.  But we will have to do a little sailing before we get there.

Island of Santorini 

This afternoon's excursion was to the Island of Santorini.  We approached the island close to sunset.  We had to take a tender boat from the ship to the island.  Next there was a cable car to take us from the dock of tender boats to the top of the bluff.  That is where the town of Santorini is located.  Once at the top, our guide led us through town to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  Inside we saw some awesome icons.  We lit a few candles for our family.  Stepping outside we could see the sun beginning to set over the Mediterranean Sea.  We bought a few postcards and then bravely set out to find a Post where we could put them. We found our way back to the cable car station.  Before descending, we stopped to take a refreshment at an outdoor cafe.  A glass of ouzo was a perfect way to finish our visit.

We had to take tender boats to reach the shore of the Island of Santorini.

Our afternoon excursion to Santorini began with a boat ride to the shore.

The town of Santorini is on the top of the bluff.

A cable car or donkey trail leads to the top of the bluff from the tender boats dock.  We chose the cable car option.

We made our way to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  Inside we found many beautiful icons.  

After lighting a few candles in the church, we stepped outside and saw the beginning of a beautiful sunset.

 After some postcard purchases, we found a Post to send them on their way.

Next we stopped at an outdoor cafe to take some refreshments.  A glass of ouzo was the perfect way to watch the sun finish setting here at Santorini.

Now it was time to return to our ship for the final night of our three day cruise.