- Journey
of Imagination
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Hotel Sofia provided a nice pool side background with their breakfast
buffet. Temperature and bright and blue skies was just the antecedent
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for a few pool laps - reward was endless strong black coffee with meat and
cheese assortment. A crowning touch is the fresh Greek yogurt -
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not your boring Stateside type. It's full and thick escorted with
fresh honey or on this day, plenty of Cretan peaches.
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Now begins the journey of someone's imagination of the past. Located
just a few kilometers southeast of Iraklio is the most well known
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of the ancient Cretan ruins - The Palace of Knosos. Known for
it's endless columns with bright colored decorative paintings and
collages.
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Think HGTV on steroids. Or was it really this colorful?
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Seems the British archaeologist that "discovered" it received
the location from a German who was at end of his life. So, with
location in hand
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and a Oxford vision, Sir Arthur Evans began his task of unearthing the
palace of King Minos and potential artifacts of the legendary minotaur.
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Evans devoted 30 years of his life to the project starting in the early
1900s. Several frescoes, gold artifacts, earthenware jars, bathtubs,
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and thrones were discovered. Initial work included documentation of
the main outline of the large complex. This is where the imagination
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began to fill the gaps - and there were many gaps. A few pieces of
color and frescoes resulted in large wall size paintings be added to
the
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site. Personal opinion led to modern day concrete being used to
recreate walls and roofs. No one really knows how close to the truth
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his assessment was; however, Knosos history now includes the vision of
Evans.
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Onward to the northwest city of Chania - Checking into the Hotel Arkadi.
Not an easy task - think a GPS locator would display "overload".
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Most of the costal cities and towns are fragmented allies and some semblance
of roads. Addresses and road signs are a novelty.
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Our clue was the hotel picture had a park and fountain in the foreground -
that information is better than local attempt at directions.
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By process of elimination while driving in the city center, we located and
checked into the hotel Underground parking was included -
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resembled a large concrete home basement for the 8 spray painted number
spaces (real space was 6 and double parking included
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the extra 2). The real fun was the 45 degree ramp into the basement,
er, underground parking. Worked fine and made sure the car
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was pointed toward the concrete ski ramp.
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The inner city, or old town, was once a Venetian port. Myriads for
small shops and restaurants lined the harbor. Some very nice
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Greek sandals were picked up while instransit to the restaurant. The
back wall of the small shop was the original thick wall that lined
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the inner city. Debate is continuing as to the owner's statement
that he actually crafted the shoes.
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Dinner was quintessential Greek food at it's best - setting was
outdoor, along the harbor, with setting sun. A "mixed grill for
2" was ordered
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and four favorite Cretan dishes were served. Baked stuffed totato,
stuffed oversized pepper, mousaka, and a zucchini with dill entire
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completed the epicurean delights. Large Mythos beer added to
the taste exuberance. Complimentary jug of riki (Cretan ouzo)
and
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mini honey dripped beniets finished the meal. That finished the full
day.
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