May 25 - Agios Nikolaos, Greece

After a relaxing sea day we arrived this morning off the little Greek town of Agios Nikolaos on the eastern end of the island of Crete.  The last time we were here we docked right in the town and took a tour to Knossos, the legendary residence of King Minos.  Today we anchored and had to tender into the town and we had a short day; all aboard was 2:30.  Therefore, we decided to wander around the little town.

Agios Nikolaos from our ship

There were lots of little sailboats around

Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas in Greek) is a fishing and tourist town.  It's a nice place and one that I think we could actually spend a few days visiting and enjoying. There’s a little harbor with quite a few small boats tied up and  along the shore lots of open-air cafes.  There are three or four shopping streets selling primarily touristy “trash and trinkets.”  We walked up and down a couple of the streets and saw lots of natural sponges and dresses that looked they came straight out of Mamma Mia (the movie).  If I were tall, slender, and more than a few years younger I might have been tempted to buy a gauzy Greek dress. Alas, I’m not, so I didn’t.

Shopping street

 

I think this same fishing boat was here five years ago on our last visit.

Charming little harbor

Steps to a little courtyard

We did, however, come across a very nice jewelry shop we had visited last time  we were here.  The owner’s now deceased husband handmade some beautiful jewelry with Cretan themes.  We had bought something there 5 years ago and when we told her that, the owner treated us as long last relatives.  We found a couple of unique things which we bought as mementos of our visit.  After a stop at one of the cafes for a drink and to watch the people wandering around the little harbor we headed back to the ship. We had to do the dreaded packing because tomorrow the cruise ends.

Packing to go home is always easier than to go on vacation.  You know that everything gets packed; there are no choices to make.  It didn’t take long and then we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the veranda and enjoying the ocean. In the evening we were able to walk in to the Thomas Keller Grill for a nice dinner.