Happy Holidays

Our rainy day

Balos Bay Xmas Day

Quiz for the day? Why is the Mediterranean aqua blue whatever the weather?

2 summer days, 2 windy days, 2 cloudy days and 1 rainy day 1 = 1 perfect week in Kissamos in the western most corner of Crete. We swam, we hiked, we explored a little bit everday. We had hoped to hike the Samari Gorge (the longest, deepest gorge in Europe) but soon realized that was too ambitious a plan for the Xmas holiday and would be stretching our limts. As it was we burned calories instead of putting on calories which would be more the norm over Xmas and we got a good “flavour” of a small corner of Crete.If you're looking for a place to holiday we recommend it...a 5 star destination.

But not everyone took a break. The olive pickers worked late Xmas eve, a few picked on Xmas day and everyone was back at it December 26^th. The square was full of migrant workers eager to be working. And there are so many olives to pick. They grow a smaller variety in Crete but they supposedly produce a better oil.Crete produces 70% of Greece's olive oil.

This is an incredible landscape: mountains, gorges and caves galore. The flora and fauna is equally as impressive both what grows wild on the moutain slopes eg. sage, wild leeks, thyme and what we see blooming in the gardens eg. geranium bushes, poinsetta bushes, hibiscus bushes, roses and more... if winter is so full of colour .....can you imagine spring????

Most of the locals attended mid-night mass Dec 24^th some of which were held in sacred caves. We visited only one sacred cave ..... the music echoed in the gorge, they had a manager scene set into a rock face and the chairs were still set up from the mid-night service.

Greek ferry docking facility

BC Ferries eat your heart out. The Greek ferry system does it... well the greek way of course. No need for fancy landing facilities, just any old concrete dock will do. Simply back the ferry in, drop the ramp and load em up. Simple and cost effective. Oh, the part about the Mediterranean only having 3 foot tides does help, but David Hahn should take notes. The coffee is on par with what we get in BC. And we had roast pork with rice at 8 Euro a shot for lunch. Whitespot look out. And we did hear a rumour that most cruise ship lines want to have Greek captains because they are so good.

Contrary to what you may have heard, we have been impressed with Greek drivers. After watching bus and truck drivers manipulate their way through these tiny villages with half a lane and cars parked everywhere, it is quite impressive. The problem is not the driving, but the parking etiquette: if a parking spot doesn't exist, just park on the sidewalk. If that doesn't work, just stop, put on your 4 way flashers and walk away. Try that in Victoria and see how fast they tow you away.

Guess how many lbs I've lost (or is that euros)?

Almost 53 and still climbing

We are on the eve of New year.....wondering how it will unfold both for the locals and us. After this weekend it's back to work for us. We'll be olive picking on the Peloponese, Moloai for the next two weeks.

New Years Eve was quiet just the way we like it and the church bells rang at 7:30 am to ring in the new year.......might not have been appreciated by those that had been out celebrating.

Monemvassia New Years Day

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR......