On a Whim Wm's world travels

Today, between the raindrops, we had a lovely tour of the palace in Europe’s oldest city, Knossos. The palace ruins you will see are from 1700 BCE! (Although some of the items are reconstructions of what they think it looked like.)

The city around the palace was built in 7000 BCE. Layers upon layers of buildings with lots of questions. For instance, what does the double headed axe represent? (Hint: it is not a weapon.)

And where is the labyrinth they talk about? Perhaps it is just the many splendored palace with 4 stories of amazing rooms?

And the Minotaur? How did he come in? Just a wonderful myth about the Greek gods, created 1000 years later. I love those Greek myths!

More photos in the Crete album.

I know, not the most glamorous of topics. However I have always wondered how one does this on a long journey. We were so excited to come to a “real” hotel so we could hand wash our clothes in the sink.

Unfortunately the sink wouldn’t fit a pair of my socks, let alone Wm’s t-shirt. We will be braving the storm to seek laundry services.

I remember my grandmother telling me how much she loved her washer and dryer. I thought this was funny back then. Now I am ever grateful for our machines.

We arrived in Heraklion, Crete yesterday. The view from the Lato Boutique hotel is lovely. But today there is an amazing rain/wind storm. So we watch the ferries being helped in by the tugboats (and I am quietly thankful not to be flying in an airplane). https://photos.app.goo.gl/XuY3shLTPz3ZDGL6A

We are sitting in the Santorini airport waiting to fly to Athens & then to Crete. There are no direct flights or ferries to Crete, even tho we are much closer to Crete. The taxi ride here took 15 minutes and cost €30! Ah, Santorini! It is a good day to leave. And it is raining.

We are on the precipice of a sleeping (I hope) volcano, in small cave-like dwellings painted stark white, staring at the caldera in the Aegean Sea. Yesterday they celebrated Greek Independence Day with a parade of kids and soldiers, ending with some balkan dancing. The internet is very slow so more pictures will upload in a few days. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kZiYHJnjL4vvRFBBA

Well, we both need to work on getting fit. Some doctor suggested the Mediterranean diet. So here we are! But I am unclear how gorgeous cheeses of all kinds, fluffy pastry dripping in Thasos honey, huge slabs of meat wrapped in freshly made pita bread, and the freshest of oranges squeezed there on the spot…will help the “get fit” part.

Athens is huge. Except for a few bumps with ruins atop, it is a sea of white buildings everywhere. I am told there are 5,000,000 people here.

While on a walk we found this photo from 1910!

We made it! It took almost 24 hours travel time, 3 different airlines… And our luggage followed us without issue. Wm found an excellent apartment around the corner from the Acropolis! Our first day included food, walking the ruins & a nap. More photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6SpVHiNuMKEfKFp5A

How does one pack for a four month journey? Washing one’s underwear everyday sounds dreadful. But should I consider it comparable to washing dishes everyday if I stayed home? My Kenneth Cole suitcase is an international carry-on size. Fully loaded, it weighs 22.5 lbs. (so far). Everything fits but there will be no wiggle room.

I had a quick visit to see my dad in snowy Sedona, Arizona before we head off.