This morning’s sleep in was very welcome, and we didn’t stir before 9.30. Our arrival in Chania was scheduled for midday and there was no need to rush off board. We decided to spend the afternoon doing different things – Ian wanted to hike up to the village of Malaxa, following a trail which began near the port, and went up into the hills surrounding Souda Bay. I was looking for a less energetic option, so decided to take the shuttle bus into Chania town, and visit the Venetian harbour. We disembarked and went our separate ways, both feeling refreshed after the extra sleep.

The bus deposited me next to the market, which was incredibly crowded with fellow passengers whose main mission in life seems to be to shop. I got out of there as quickly as possible, and found myself in a network of narrow, car free streets lined with more shops, cafes and ice creameries. Following my nose and the tourist map, I found part of the Byzantine wall which is a feature of Chania’s old town.  Another block north and I was at the waterfront.

Byzantine wall

Still excavating

I decided to start at one end, and follow it around to the other, finishing at the lighthouse.  Horse drawn carriages gently clip clopped past the seafood restaurants, all vying for customers. I continued until I found myself at the western bastion, which is also home to the Maritime Museum.  I wandered the small streets, which were full of boutique hotels and artists’ studios, and with greenery everywhere. I had already noticed how clean Chania is, and it was a lovely place to wander aimlessly for a while.

Venetian Harbour

Today’s cat

Venetian lighthouse

Don’t step through the blue door

Flowers everywhere

Back at the waterfront, I continued walking east, past the arsenale, the mosque, and the Venetian shipyards. Boats of all shapes and sizes bobbed on the water. Some were simple fishing boats, while others were very flash indeed.

Not a good choice of seat

Venetian shipyards

Floating souvenir shop

Eventually I reached the long breakwater which leads along a rough stone wall to the lighthouse. I walked its length and back again. I could see the distant hills where Ian was hiking.  After a brief stop to sample the local cuisine (passionfruit and baci gelati – delicious), I headed back to port after a very enjoyable afternoon.

Ian is up in those hills somewhere

Ocean views

Bastion

Mmmm

Meanwhile, Ian was relying on what he remembered from looking at Google maps back at home, to find the trail. He crossed the highway, and spotted what looked like someone’s driveway – a dirt track heading past a ramshackle house.  It led upwards, and continued in the right direction.  After about two hours he reached the village, which is tiny, and consists of a few houses, a couple of hotels, and of all things, a riding school. I commented that the horses I saw in the town all looked very well cared for and healthy, so Chania must be a horse-loving place.  He had an expansive view over Souda Bay and the cruise port, and across to Chania and some small islands off the coast.  Crete is much drier than Corfu, and the landscape could have been Australian. Another couple of hours to come down the hill, and have a look at Souda’s shops, and he was back at the ship at the same time as me.

Ian walked up here, to the notch on the skyline

We had dinner with a lively bunch, who appreciated our champagne (which was very good).  A great feature of this cruise has been sharing tables at dinner, we’ve met a lot of nice people and had some good conversations – something that previous cruises lacked. We also really like the promenade which encircles deck 7; the views are endlessly fascinating, and we strolled all the way around before retiring for the night.