On our trip to Athens and Crete, we had many experiences
that for some reason or other just didn't fit into one of our previous stories,
so we've added them here. Further, in the Kudos section, we have acknowledged exceptional
people that made a positive difference to our trip experience. To those folks,
thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Other Experiences
Air Canada Rouge
We flew across the Atlantic on Air Canada's Rouge. Rouge is
Air Canada's effort at "stylishly affordable service to holiday spots in
Europe and the Caribbean". There was no
entertainment screen on the back of the seat in front. They provided connectivity to the entertainment system only. We had to provide our own device or rent an I Pad.
In our case, we used our laptops. For a long haul flight of 9 plus hours, we
didn't have enough battery power, so needed to share a single AC outlet mounted
at floor level. One computer needed to be on battery while the other charged. Our
concern was having all this electronic gear with power supplies and cords in
the confined seat space along with blankets, pillows, food trays and the like.
At the same time, food and drinks were being passed back and forth over the equipment. At best it wasn't stylish service. At worse, it seemed like a potential safety hazard if we needed to evacuate. Fortunately,
we did not.
Smoking
There's still lots of smokers in Athens. It reminds us of
Canada 30 years ago. If they look at Canada today, they may like what they see.
Streets of Old Athens
Old Athens reminded us of Venice; it's a maize. There's only a vague
resemblance between the map and reality. The streets are extremely narrow, many are
pedestrian only, and the ones with vehicle traffic have the narrowest of
sidewalks, and people flow out into traffic. Pedestrians own the streets of old Athens.
Gas Prices
In Athens and on the Island of Crete, gas cost about C$2.20 /
liter. Vehicles are small and distances relatively short.
Weather
The sun was always
very hot between 10 AM and 4 PM. The saviours were shade and a breeze. Normally
it was in the mid 30s plus or minus. When there was a wind, it was very
pleasant and there were sheep (white caps), as the locals called them, on the
sea.
Wine
On the Island, we drank a wine recommended at the grocery
store in Spili. It was Cretan, Konaki traditional wine from the Agricultural
Union of Heraklion. We found it interesting they recommended it rather than their high end wines. It cost about 11
Euros for 5 L. We also noted, it was always available where the local people shopped.
Cheese
The local cheeses were excellent, and made mainly from Goat
and Sheep milk.
Olive Oil
Olive trees were everywhere, and apparently some can be
hundreds of years old. Even though, the olives were not ready for picking yet,
there was local oil, without a label, available in the stores. Up on the main
road through Kerames, there's a large scale Olive Oil production plant, which
unfortunately has been closed for a couple of years.
Other Local Produce
There were fruit and nuts growing wherever we looked. They
included Pomegranates, Figs, Mulberries, Pears, Walnuts and more.
Trucks came into town regularly selling local produce.
Tourism in Kerames
Fortunately, there were no tourist helicopters, however there was
the odd guided convoy of jeeps, and a few rental cars. Most rental cars stopped
just long enough for the folks to buy a cold drink from the Mini Market. Now
and then, a rental car was parked overnight outside the Rooms for Rent. We
noticed a few upscale dwellings in town that appear to be seasonal homes of
folks from northern European countries. In the center of the village, there was retail space
available for some tourist type stores. To get that seed to grow, they would
need some good marketing. The closed Olive Oil plant, which is right on the
main road, could be reworked into a traffic stopper, like an open market. The
downside of that kind of development is that the town would never be the
same.
At the moment, in Kerames, there was no tourist veneer. Nothing
was artificial. Everything that we saw, felt, tasted, smelled, and heard was
authentically Cretan, and we think that that is what makes it very special.
Kudos
Restaurant Loakh and
Johnny
We were looking to dine out one evening in Athens. As we
were strolling the streets, Johnny approaches us and asked if we'd like to
"eat dinner with them this evening". We indicated we were not quite
ready but we might be back. Over the next half hour, his invitation appeared
better and better. So we returned and were not disappointed. In as much as
there was a menu, they offered to mix and match and make us anything we wanted.
The ambience was wonderful, sitting in a street side restaurant in historic
Plaka, the old part of the city. There was no vehicle traffic, only people
strolling the streets, an accordionist within hear shot, and a waiter second to
none in making our dining experience exceptional. The restaurant was Loakh, their
website, oldithaki.com; their manager and waiter extraordinaire, Johnny.
Pame Volta and Kostas
For the most part, downtown Athens is a mecca for cars and
motorcycles. Initially we were sceptical of the cycling concept, expecting that
we would just be part of the dangerous mix. Fortunately however, Kostas had a
route of bicycle friendly pathways.
Kostas was our tour guide from Pame Volta tour company. At
various stops, he not only provided historical information, but did so in an engaging and impressive style of asking
us questions and leading us to the answers. In all, we had an enjoyable,
informative and safe cycling tour. Well done Kostas, a kudos for you. For more information about Pame Volta, you
can go to pamevolta.gr.
Hotel Grande Bretagne,
Police, and the People of Athens
Greece is going through tough times financially. As a
result, they have been pressured by the EU to accept significant restraint
measures. This has led to protests. During our stay in Athens there was another
vote in Parliament, and so another demonstration that had potential to turn
into a riot. Hotel Security were on high alert and warned us that things could
escalate very quickly. About 9:30 PM there
was a scurry of people at the intersection a 100 meters away where a Molotov
cocktail had been thrown into the intersection. It burned but failed to flare
up. It appeared the demonstration was turning into a riot, so we took refuge in
the hotel. As it turned out, there had only been 2 Molotoves thrown, Police
brought it under control, and that was the extent of the movement from
demonstration to riot. It was nipped in the bud by Police. Kudos go out to the
people of Athens, the police, and of course our hotel security. For more on
Democracy boiling over http://travellingwithsteveandmarlene.blogspot.gr/2015/07/democracy-comes-to-boil.html.
People of Kerames,
Crete
Even though we were strangers intruding into their beautiful
and private community, they were polite, helpful, accommodating and accepted
us. We thank them for their hospitality. Below are the ones most notable.
Kerame Mini Mart and
Family
The local Mini Mart was our closest grocery store. Because
they're in the small village, they couldn't have everything we wanted, but they
did have everything we needed. The Mini Mart was a family run business, that
even though the store hours were not posted, was open every time we went. In
addition, both the mother and her daughter, Fotini spoke English well enough to
supplement our couple of words of Greek and get our order filled.
Our Neighbours
Maria, Alexandra and
their families treated us as long time neighbours. They struggled as we
struggled to communicate. They always greeted us with a smile.
They gave us vegetables from their garden, eggs from their hens, and even some
hearty stew. Two boys, Phillip 12 years old and Stavros 7 allowed me to play
some soccer with them, throw their ball around, and share in triumphs with high
fives. This was the Cretan village experience that we could only dream of, but
never expected to get.
Alf, Jivan and Ursula
Alf and Jivan live in Sweden, but own the villa, Zorba Zen
House. This is their home away from Sweden, and we thank them for opening it
to us. Ursula was their greeter, trouble shooter, and I suggest Manager when
they're not in Kerames. Together, they provided great accommodation as can be
seen in some of our stories. Ursula was business-like and friendly. She helped
us get settled in, and made sure our needs were met. If we ever have a rental
property, we'd want Ursula to manage it.
From the villa terrace, under the Grecian sky; watch and
listen.
