Crete - Chania by bus

 

This is the Rethymno bus station and it is just down the hill from us. We had picked up a timetable earlier and checked things out on-line. There are regular bus runs along the North coast, from Heraklion, through Rethymno, to Chania (pronounced Hania). We went inside and bought tickets and it was confirmed that the buses leave Rethymno for Chania every hour, on the hour.

I had a few minutes to go across the road and get a photo of the snow covered mountains behind the coastal church.

A nice new bus arrived right on time. 14 Euro return. Stopped on the way a few times to pick up and drop off passengers and got into Chania about an hour later.

 Chania has a huge bus station. Luckily we walked out of the gate closest to the port and were able to make our way easily.

Through a park and into a wide pedestrian only street lined by touristy shops. This was a very colourful candy and ice cream shop called Hansel and Gretel.

Most elaborate looking donuts I have ever seen.

This is what Chania is known for, the large Venetian Harbour and Lighthouse.

We walked around to the fortress, on the west end of the harbour. On the way chatted to a Greek fisherman who, it turned out, had lived in Vancouver. He told us the fortress was free to go into and recommended an area for cheaper restaurants.

We went up into the fortress, took pictures across the harbour opening, of the lighthouse.

 The lens of my camera had dirt on it so many of my pictures are marred by that so I don't have many for the blog.

We walked into the old town, in the area behind the harbour. It is very similar to the old town of Rethymno but the streets are a little wider and there is a feeling that it was a wealthier Venetian community (more stone buildings, balconies, planters) and is a wealthier tourist area.

We found a small taverna and shared a Greek salad and

half a litre of wine

I had Moussaka and

Rick was finally persuaded, by those pleading eyes,  to share his chicken souvlaki.

At this point my camera indicated that my card was full so I could take no more photos without taking the time to delete some. We walked around the harbour, I sat and sketched the lighthouse and Rick walked almost to it, along the breakwall. We then headed back up the pedestrian street, shared an ice cream and caught the bus back.

We will return to Chania, there is more to see, and I will make sure my camera is ready!