Tzatziki in the City: Last Day in Crete

Shockingly, the internet in rural Greece where we are right now is very slow, so it took almost two days for these pictures to load! On our last day in Crete, since I was clamoring to do something, we got up early and headed to Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake in Crete. It's nestled down in a little valley between mountains and is full of eels, some kind of water snake, and ducks. We got there before the tour buses, and it was only us and one other couple paddling about on the lake.

 

 

 

The water, like all of the water we saw in Crete, was beautiful and clear and so clean.

 

Paddling! Mere moments before Taylor caught my big toe in the pedals and ripped off a large part of my big toenail.

 

We also followed this duck around the water--they dove down and disappeared for an astounding amount of time before they popped back up.

 

 

A close-up of the water from the paddle boat.

 

We did not rent a slide paddle boat, as the water was very cold and I can't imagine sliding a foot into it, much less all of me at once.

 

Pottery is one of Crete's traditional handicrafts--I wish I'd had room in my suitcase for one of the little villages with their red and blue roofed houses.

 

Once the tours started rolling in, the Lucases rolled out to lunch, where Taylor had a green pea and scallion soup and I had a spinach risotto. (Also tzatziki, not pictured!)

 

We also finally went into Chania during the daytime so I could get some good pictures of all the little restaurants, shops, and alleys. The picture below is a minaret, built when the Turks took control of Chania in the 1600s. Every corner you turn around is another pastel or crumbling building, glorious bursts of flowers, and sleeping cats.

 

The picture on the left is the remains of a Byzantine wall, built in the 12th century. Chania is an amazing blend of historical eras all clashing and built on top of one another.

 

The view from the long promenade out to the lighthouse.

 

 

There was still a lot to see and do in Chania, but I was most excited for the next part of the trip in the Zagori region (our waiter was confused--"but how did you even hear of this part of the country? Is interesting, yes"). It hasn't disappointed and so far has included herds of sheep and goats, bridges from the 18th century, harrowing mountain road drives, and making a new Greek grandmother.