Island time

When we arrived in Chania, our tour group went to the hotel.  It was before 8am, so our rooms were nowhere near ready.  We went just to drop our luggage off and establish a home base for our walk.  From there, we walked to a good restaurant by the pier and had breakfast.  Following that,we had a little more time to walk around while Charlie showed us points of interest in the town itself.  

There are a lot of parts of the city built in different times under different rule.  Parts are still present from the Ottoman Empire, while some things are from when the area was dominated by Venetian traders.  There are some buildings that look ancient, with modern portions.  Lots of the stuff on the Greek mainland has been preserved as world heritage sites or as archaeological sites, but it appears Chania is just good at incorporating what was there already into the place it is now.  It seems, too, that they've always done that.  

When we split from the group, Cas and I headed back to the hotel for a moment just to apply sunscreen.  We had been so dazed and exhausted from the rapid departure from the ferry this morning that we had failed to apply any.  We needed it, too, because our next move was a walk all the way out the light house at the end of the pier.  

It was absolutely beautiful, but there was no shade whatsoever.  No matter, though- here is the aforementioned lighthouse: 

It was pretty cool, and the view was amazing.  The water was gorgeous, and we plan to find some time to get in it soon.  

We're checked into our hotel now- they mercifully let us in early- and cleaning ourselves up.  I just had a very welcome mid-day shower, and Cas is taking his now.  After that, I think we may take a little ride on one of the boats that goes to a prime snorkeling spot.  We may do that, or we could go to the beach.  We may walk around or take a horse-drawn carriage.  Not sure yet- but we plan to have a great time.  

We have a long hike through a gorge tomorrow.  It's the Samaria gorge, and I didn't know this, but for people who like hiking, it's supposed to be a thing they put on their bucket list.  I have some tennis shoes with me, and so does Cas, and we've been told that will do the trick.  I'm pretty excited.  Wish us luck!