Day 11: Heraklion, Greece

Or more commonly just known as Crete.  I had planned to go on my own today.  My thought was to catch a ride to the places I wanted to go and not book an excursion.  Then I noticed there was an on your own excursion with a pass for the Hop On Hop Off bus.  It was only $59 and I had a $50 credit for every excursion I booked with the cruise ship.  I mean there was no way I could get round trip transportation for only $9, so I booked it.  Before I got off, I grabbed a quick breakfast of bacon and a bagel which became my typical early morning breakfast. 

Shore Excursion:  Hop On Hop Off Bus. 

The excursion was a bit confusing with communication.  It shouldn't be that difficult.  We had a ticket to do the bus on our own but for some reason the lady was not being clear with her information.  I got on the bus and figured out my stops and off I went. 

First Stop: Knossos Palace

                 

The Royal Road of Knossos is said to be one of the oldest paved road in Europe that you can still walk on.

Again, I really have noticed how cruise ships are over running cities.  I am not sure there is a solution but it seems like tours should sort of split up and not all start at the same site!  I have traveled a lot and sometimes our groups do this.  It works but for some reason this trip it seems we all start at the same museum or site. 

Second Stop:  Archeological Museum of Heraklion

The museum was full of Minoan artifacts.  I really liked all the animal statues which are actually used to store libations.

 

The beads and jewelry were amazing too!   

I was in the city center so I just took time to wander the streets and popped into a few places on my list. 

Next Stop:  Cathedral Holy Temple of Saint Titus

I noticed several people coming in kissing and kneeling before this hat in a glass dome.  I don’t know what they were doing, but I turned to the internet to find out.  

The relic is believed to be the head of Saint Titus, a disciple of St. Paul and the first Bishop of Crete. It was returned to the church in 1966 after being held in Venice for nearly 300 years following the Ottoman invasion of Crete. Visitors and the local Orthodox faithful show deep devotion to the relic. People performing various genuflections, touching lips to the glass cover surrounding the jeweled helmet that contains the skull, conducting other rituals, including bowing. These actions are part of the Greek Orthodox tradition of venerating saints' relics, which is a common practice in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

 So now we know!

The weather was amazing so it was so good to just walk around to find the other places on my list.  I found myself at my final stop, Koules Fortress.

The ship seemed close so I walked back along the water.  I loved looking at all the boats in the harbor.

It wasn’t a super close or super far walk but it was a hot walk back to the ship.  This port does not allow you walk to the ship.  You must take a bus from the entrance to your ship which slows things down but that’s the rule.  I grabbed a quick lunch . . . I gave the Tapas place a try . . . small bites.  Oh my goodness I might have a new favorite! The dates con almendras were amazing! Bacon wrapped dates with Marconi almonds and blue cheese.

I found an outdoor lounge chair to relax on deck being lazy waiting until my next meal. I gave the Indian place, Tamara, a try tonight. It was good and of course ending with my usual plus a new addition!

Of course, you know I had to end with my favorites before calling it a night!