Our bus is a thing of wonder, maneuvering through hairpin bends, one-way dirt tracks, often with only a hair’s breadth to spare. It had to admit defeat however when faced with the dirt track to Galatas (blocked by bulldozer) so we walked for about 15-20 minutes, mostly uphill. It’s really exciting to be at this 5th palace, with its view of Knossos, Juktas and the other sacred peak. Apparently, the palace was abandoned and taken over by squatters before the explosion (blocks and rocks strewn about) in 1500 BC. The most interesting feature was a monumental hearth, 1st of its kind. The N wing façade is the most imposing, yet to uncover entrance. No adyta yet, best bet in W court. Slept on journey to Heraklion. People are getting tired too, pretty quiet on the bus today. Felt like Athens when we arrived, took triple (at Olympic Hotel) with T and L. 6th floor, nice huge deck down the hall. View of packed city, but also the sea. Best thing is the tub and the fixed at end (instead of middle) shower head. Santorini snatched away since no boats leave Crete on Fri except for Piraeus. Damnit. Museum at 5, went round with R who was felling a little sick. Travel agent (Pancreta) after that. Going to Chania, triple with T and Iv. Probs doing gorge thing. Most rushed off for “Pulp Fiction’ but apparently cinema was too far away. Went to Pizza Hut for dinner with Ryan. Nice change. Walked around the area, 1 or 2 bookstores, ice-cream at this café next to bookstore. R was saying how this trip is great as he gets to meet all sorts of people (Al and L are pre-med). Definitely, the smokers for one I wouldn’t normally hang out with, for that matter, practically most Americans I wouldn’t normally hang out with. Joined T, S (and C) on the rooftop lounge for a while.
[On the walk back from Galatas, N stepped into this mud hole. Fortunately she can actually communicate in Greek, so this village old woman brought out water for her, despite this being a dry time for the village and offered us water as well. So nice.]