i'm a believer.

Yesterday said goodbye to Santorini and hello to Crete. I know you've been dying to hear juicy travel mishaps, and one finally manifested for your vicarious enjoyment...

We were on the ferry to Crete, which left Santorini an hour late (typical, we were informed). Mom was talking to an Australian man named David and I was pouring over Crete guidebooks. As I was reading about a possible drive, comparing the milage on the drive to the map - 77 miles, 5-6 hours, it occured to me that the town we were staying in was twice the distance of the drive. I looked at the map, and flipped back to the information on the drive, trying to come to some realization that would mean we were not in fact going to be stranded upon the arrival of our ferry. But I flipped to no avail...

In the course of 20 minutes (which felt both mind-bendingly long and short), we contemplated our absolute every option. We considered just how outrageously expensive it would be to take a taxi that distance. We contemplated just how severe our manual-driving ineptitude was. We wondered loudly, hoping our new Australian friend might have a magical solution. We didn't even pause to wonder how we made such a vast oversight (which, mind you, would not have been such an urgent problem had our ferry been landing in the light of day. Alas, we were docking at 8:30p - or 20:30 Greek time [which sounded dauntingly late to us].). Luckily, our passive-aggressive technique worked the magic those techniques never do. As luck would have it (or divine provision, which I think was far more likely the case), David and his friends were also staying in Chania (our way-too-far-away, but supposedly-very-quaint town). We attached ourselves to their group upon depature from the ferry, and, while their vehicles were packed, their friend informed us that the bus station was just a quick walk away.

Talk about divine provision - we huffed and puffed into the bus station, narrowly avoiding several vehicular encounters, TEN minutes before the LAST bus to Chania left. And we paid 10,50 euro! (MUCH cheaper than the anticipated break-the-bank taxi ride.) The bus left at nine, with us contentedly seated. It arrived in Chania at midnight (just, one more time, imagine the 3 hour taxi ride...). We arrived at our hotel moments later, via a very nice - and very quick! - taxi. WHEW!

We woke up this morning to the cloudless skies of which so many people have spoken... and now, NOW, it feels like Greece. Crete (at least, the small portion which we've seen) is devoid of the classic white-washed Greek architecture, but the ocean is absolutely breath-taking. This is the Greece I've dreamt of, seen in movies and have been counting the days 'til my toes would tickle the sea. We walked on soft sand, splashed in warm water and gawked at the plethora of ocean-side dining establishments today. We explored a market in Old Town Chania; it blew any other farmers'-esque market I've ever encountered out of the water. Fresh fruit spilling over everywhere, cheeses more impressive than we saw in Switzerland, and fish fresher than I imagine they'd be if they were still swimming.

I have a journal-full of other stories I can't wait to share, particularly detailing a bit more about Santorini. And I have plenty of thoughts to muse your way as well. Alas, it's about time we wrap it up for today. The Samaria Gorge awaits our enthusiastic arrival tomorrow and we must nourish and sleep in preperation. That's a blog I'm excited to write... (google pictures of "Samaria Gorge" if you get a chance.)

Love to all, - b.

P.S. My apologies, again, for the lack of editing.