I leave Rethymno for Chania (pronounced Hania) via taxi. It’s about a one hour trip West along the coastline. The driver makes it easy and interesting. He tells me that he was born on Crete in a small village, like most people here working in tourism. He shares that his little village has 10 families but 5 churches, built in earlier years when more people lived in the villages. He shares that after WWII most people left their villages to find work on the mainland. I’m envisioning a program for $1 cave houses to reinvigorate these villages!

I’m staying at a beautiful restored mansion in the old town, the taxi drops me off about 5 minutes away as there are no cars allowed. It’s an amazing hotel, beautifully restored from a 17th century building.

Every inch of this building has been creatively restored with attention to detail.

I share their story:

This is a day for exploring Chania so I just walk with the goal of getting lost a few times. It’s easy to accomplish. Along the way I find lovely cafes, shops, hotels and cats.

There is a true Venetian vibe here, it feels and looks so different from Rethymno but I can’t discern what makes it unique. It’s something about the colors, but the lovely girl at the hotel says that Chania is “elevated” and I think this is accurate.

I enjoy dinner at Albi, in a beautiful building that was shelled in WWII, restored but left open with no roof.

Walking thru the town at night is captivating, lots of people watching. The streets are full and as I walk I hear multiple languages. This is magical to me.

The next day is the day for exploring the coast. I arrange to take a boat tour to Balos, a vast lagoon with clear, shallow water located between two mountains.

Waiting for the boat…

This lagoon beach is huge. There are a few beach chairs and umbrellas but mostly it is natural with people laying on blankets. Again, I hear every language and see every culture represented.

I’m hungry and see that there is a small snack bar on the hill. I walk that way and then realize I have to walk thru the water to get there. Hmmm..I gather up my pareo and phone and cross the bay.

We swim here for a couple of hours then head to the nearby island of Granmoussa. There is a castle on the top of the hill with a swimming cove at the base.

Sadly a woman falls at the top of the mountain and breaks her leg. They have to carry her down.

Balos is a unique beautiful place. Highly recommended. After a long day on the water I head back to the hotel for a shower and dinner.

Thankful to have this opportunity to experience Chania. My trip is approaching the end and I’m cherishing every day and moment.

Goodnight Chania ❤️