The Joys of Retirement Production Company

We started our day with a breakfast out and a walk around the old town of Valletta

The streets are narrow and often hilly

Republic square,  where the Grand Masters Palace stands,  hosting 450 years of Maltese history.   We visited inside and were very impressed,  especially with the Armory

A Model of the city of Valletta

The grand halls of this historic and presidential national building

We were able to arrive at the Upper Barrakka gardens in time to view the Salute, the firing of the noon Cannon.  The garden itself is quite lovely, even though not all the flowers are yet in bloom

A couple of the charming features of architecture here are the colored closed balconies and the door knockers on the colorful doors

The entry gates of the city and the Triton Fountain are icons of the city

Best sign of the day

We walked a bit along the waterfront to the north, looking towards Sliema and toward the fortress at the end, Fort St Elmo

We have left Crete today,  on our way to Malta.  It was a full travel day.   We flew to Athens about noon and then had a 5 hour layover there before our flight to Malta.  Our arrival was a bit rocky as the BOLT driver ( a EU version like UBER) went past our place,  down a long hill and left us!  Poor Emmett dragged out bags up the hill and then, when we finally found the apartment, he had to carry them up 2 flights of stairs!  But we are here.   Tomorrow we explore Valletta on foot.   It’s a very hilly place, so we will get out steps in tomorrow! 

Here is the inside of our little apartment.   And the view.  Tomorrow i will take note pics of the outside.   We have 2 of the iconic windowed balconies the Valletta is known for.

And the view

From the outside  our apartment is on the 2nd floor, or to us Americans, the 1 up 2 flights of stairs.   It is the lowest one with all blue balcony and shutters,  on the corner of the building.  We are right on Independence square,  with a park-like space,  and a couple iconic features from the English rule days

We visited the inside of the church behind our building too, in the morning

One more interesting little feature in our apartment,  the ‘fireplace’

We had 4 more nights to spend somewhere on Crete and decided we like the energy and old town of Heraklion, so we came back.   We have a different apartment,  but interestingly in the same building!  Our door is on a different side and our windows face more east but we have a small balcony,  1 bedroom loft and a nice small kitchen.   We are happy here,  relaxing for a couple days before our flight to Malta!

After a day of laundry and recouping,  We discovered a walk around the walls of the old city, visiting many of the old gates.  

We even got to walk on a small portion of the top of the wall.

We saw these gates on an earlier walk,  the old Venetian ship docks

It was a great hike!  Almost 4 miles total!  After we stopped at our favorite dinner place, the Anchorage, run by a lovely old couple,  Mrs. Irini and Capt. John.  It’s great homemade Greek and Cretan dishes! 

Got our 10k steps in today!

We have arrived for 3 days here on the ancient Venetian harbor of Chania.  We are in a hotel for these 3 days,  in a quiet space on the harbor.   The Casa Leone.  This house dates to the 15th century and had an amazing history,  even used as a Nazi HQ during their occupation.

The story of the hotel is very interesting.   I hope you can see some of the detail.

We walked a bit to get a feel for the old town this afternoon and stopped for a gyro plate before turning in tonight.   The weather looks like it will remain windy and cold,  50 °, for the next few days.   I hope we get a little more sun!

We bought a little Pastry to have with our coffee in the morning.   They are beautiful here, and delicious.  But they couldn’t top the hands made Baklava we had in Rethymno!.

More old town, walking around the fort and toward the inner harbor

One little side note,  a serendipity, if you will,  … today,  Friday,  we noticed many young American men,  military age,  and when several were eating in the same restaurant tonight,  we asked.   They are Navy,  their ship is stationed off Crete.

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4056366/truman-strike-group-units-arrive-in-greece-for-port-visit/

Our last full day in Chania, we took a drive around the neighboring hills.

When we left Chania, headed back to Heraklion on Feb 9, we were able to see the USS Harry Truman,  aircraft carrier, 75  which was in port in Souda bay.   Our was moored across the bay from the highway along with the USS Jason Dunham. 109. 

A few days later,  on Feb 12, the Truman was involved in an accident at sea near Egypt.  We had seen so many young American kids of the ship in Chania, I sure hope they are all ok and there were no injuries.

On our way to Chania, we decided to take a little trip inland a bit to see the Arkadi Monastery.  it was not exactly smooth driving.   Believe the signs!

The monsieur community  was established in the 13th century,  but is known as the place where the Ottomans attacked in 1866 and all the residents,  monks,  families,  everyone chose to blow themselves up rather than submit to Ottoman rule.  First we visited the church.

Then the buildings surrounding it.

We passed through many olive groves, some of ancient trees.

As we head toward Chania, we had an overlook of Rethymno

Rethymno has a history 1000 years old.  The fortress was built in 16th c to guard against Ottoman invasion.  We were able to walk along the old Venetian harbor and up to the fortress today.   It was extremely windy and chilly! 

The fortress

We say a little Amazing grace in the mosque

The views from on top were great

We walked a bit is the old town.  Many streets are shaded with wisteria vines to shade in the summer,  but that isn’t needed today.   The streets were almost empty that in summer would be crowded with tourists.

We visited the Philo workshop,  meet the son of the old baker,  and Engle some of their wonderful Philo baklava.  The small ones are made with 7 pieces of Philo rolled  to have many layers! The large Baklava is made with almost 50 layers!  It was delicious. 

The old town streets and the old venetian gate

We stopped for a cappuccino and Pastry

Life is good

Our next 2 nights we have an apartment on the coast in Rethymno, a smaller town west of Heraklion about an hour.

Our lodging

We took a walk to the end of the breakwater 2.3km each way! 

Along the way are some interesting murals and a lovely sculpture

The views of the harbor and city are a not different from this perspective,  and we can even see a mountain covered in snow!

Our last full day in Heraklion, tomorrow we pick up a car and head along the coast.

Lunch was another great Greek salad,  and Emmett had the fish soup,  with fish.  The great at the end?  Our first loukamades! 

We passed on the firewater

We visited the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization at Knossos palace today.   We found that it is free on Sundays in the off season.   Crowds were minimal!  And the bus ride an easy 20 minutes or so.   We are learning where to walk to pick up the busses too. 

A very pleasant walk in these temperatures,  mid 60s, but i imagine quite warm in the summer.

Old venetian sea fort is our view! 

We stopped at the cathedral of St Titus, just in time for choir rehearsal.

And the men’s part

And the old walking streets of the city, visiting small squares,  central park,  fountains,  and curiosities

A capaccino on the stroll

We visited the museum of archeology to see the exhibits of Minoan artifacts.   This civilization existed beaten 1800 and 1700 years BC,  almost 4000 years ago!

Lunch was Davos, tomato puree and feta on bread,  and Pork souvlaki

A stop to buy some fruit.   Want a bunch of banana?  Chop off your own from the stalk!

I had a delicious birthday dinner!

And a delicious little chocolate with hazel nuts for my birthday cake!