Crete by crummey
The Island of Crete is a beautiful land. However, thousands of years of human habitation means there are no "pristine" spots and few truly wild areas.The place is reasonably prices. Although not as cheap as it once was.
Friendly people sell RACHI moonshine in old fanta bottles at the side of the road. Ferral cats are everywhere. And the locals seem inordinatly proud of them. I was amused to see them scamper up to patrons in the outside restaurants trying to steal scraps of food while the Greek waiters kick them out of the way.
The Cretans are nice to strangers. In the towns you can see old men gather in circles to fiddle with their worry beads and discuss the pressing issues of the day.
I stayed at a tourist oriented town called Matala. From there I hitch-hiked around the island; no problems. It was quite an enjoyable experience.
There are lots of old ruins; Roman, Greek, Byzantian etc. On hill sides you can find ancient acropolis'. And of course the Minoan ruins are a huge attraction.
The mediterranean ocean is so clear that you can read "johnny walker" on the whiskey bottle while it is laying 20 feet below the pier. Or fish schooling above an old adidas sneaker laying on the ocean bottom.
No matter how inviting the beaches seem, always wear sandles; there is always glass, nails and other refuse, or even the odd scorpion.
