Crete July 2010

This post has been a long time coming! Last summer Ben was able to make one of his few port calls since joining the Navy over 9 years ago. Lucky for us it was in beautiful Crete, Greece during the summer. The weather was perfect and the sunsets were amazing! Did I mention that my wonderful mother came and stayed with the girls? Thanks again Mom!

We stayed at this wonderful little hotel called the Porto del Colombo. It was very European! The walk up the three flights of stairs sure burned off all those extra calories.
So here is the short version of our trip:

Day 1 - Flew in at 6:30 p.m. and had a crazy drive with the girls trying to navigate through town. Managed after about four hours (should have taken 30 minutes...maybe) to find the hotel and then had dinner at the funny guy restaurant.

Day 2 - Met our guide to get on the Greek Navy base, watched the boat come in, managed to get on base then waited the better part of the day for the gangway. Drove straight to the hotel on the crazy roads and impressed the guys! Unfortunately, we didn't do as well parking and managed to get two parking tickets. They just keep giving them to you until you move your car.

Day 3 - Explored the town, shopped, went to the open air market, and had dinner overlooking the harbor.

Day 4 - Explored some more, found the gyro shop, had a crazy dinner with Nate, Ingrid, Kathy, and Mike. Did I mention that they bribe you with free wine to eat at their restaurant and then serve a free shot of Raki or Ouzo after each meal? ugh.
Day 5 - Recovered from day 4 dinner and ate bland food. Found the town beach and ate at an outdoor restaurant on the beach with the live Greek music, and watched the sunset.

Day 6 - Drove to the beach through the mountains and Ingrid almost puked. Due to the winding roads I'm sure and not my driving. Exfoliated at the very windy, yet beautiful beach. Accidentally forced a restaurant to open early. Had dinner at a small place in the back streets with the best meat balls we found.
Day 7 - Looked for a cave and found a great restaurant instead. Went on some crazy fast go carts. Walked to the lighthouse and went on a sunset cruise. Had dinner at an outdoor restaurant that was in the middle of buildings with an open roof with Nate and Ingrid.
Day 8 - Last minute souvenir shopping and checking out antique shops. Looked in a neat church with a tall tower. Had my last dinner with Ben at a restaurant on the hill. Watched the sunset and had a crazy drive to the base in the dark. Which I am proud to say I made it both ways without getting lost.

Day 9 - Dropped off the rest of the guys and watched the boat leave from the mountain side. Had a fun last dinner with the girls.To see all the Crete photos (even if you aren't on facebook) visit this link: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.417086662113.202712.797762113&l=eb93fbcc41