Having left Hydra, we took a short ferry ride to Spetses, a nearby island. Our room had been arranged by our Hydra host, and the owner of the villa was waiting for us at the dock. It could not have been simpler. We walked the short distance to our centrally-located accommodations, and were pleasantly surprised to find our beautiful room with a large patio overlooking the harbour. The view was stunning, and we had definitely lucked out, especially since the price was so reasonable. We had everything we could want nearby--restos, bakery, supermarket, bank, tavernas, even a beach. We explored the town, visiting a lighthouse, and ending it with a wonderful dinner at water's edge, as the sun set. Greek dining is an experience in itself. Freshest ingredients, wonderful herbs and spices, and a passion for good food all combine to make each meal an occasion. 
 
We were one of two couples dining at that time . We kind of acknowledged each other, but kept to ourselves. The next day, we went to a beautiful, but pebbly beach, where we spent a relaxing day in the sun. Lo and behold, we met this same couple at the beach. This time, they invited us for a glass of wine, and we wound up chatting away the hours. They were from Macedonia, and though substantially younger, we got along famously, drinking wine, and laughing a lot. This was definitely a highlight for us. One of the main benefits of travel is meeting fellow travelers, which always gives us the opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives. They gave us a lot of insight into the Greek mind and way of life, as we compared notes. We may even have inspired them to think seriously about marriage, while we were convinced that our next Grecian trip should be to Macedonia, an area of Greece less well-traveled, but with its own delights.
It was also then that we decided that we would head to Crete, one of the largest of the Greek isles. We had spent a few days there several years ago, and were so impressed by it that we always wanted to return . We booked an overnight ferry to Chania, one of its main cities, which is resplendent in its charm, offering a walled city with narrow, winding lanes, a Venetian-created old harbour, and endless numbers of cafes, tavernas, restaurants, gift shops, and tourist sites to visit. Among them is an ancient synagogue dating back to the Xth century, which was a really moving experience for us and a nice change from the usual ornate cathedrals that Europe offers in spades. (Melissa, you are so right about Chania!) 

Our arrival and most of our stay in the city was plagued by intermittent showers and cool weather. We were constantly ducking into places to wait out the rain. Believe it or not, it was actually kind of fun. Despite the weather, we had a really enjoyable stay, as our hotel was very convenient to all there was to see, and though basic, offered us all we needed, even a decent breakfast. Booking.com has come through for us over and over again.

We’re renting a car for a week to visit more of this wonderful island, exploring its historical roots, stunning mountainous geography, fishing villages, and amazing beaches. First stop, Heraklion, the capital city.

Stay tuned…..