So tonight we went east of the old town along the boardwalk and had a drink. We also had a plate of marinated octopus. It was heavily spiced and quite delicious. The weather is better and the ocean still. Fishing boats are leaving the harbour again.
Opposite the harbour is a strange looking place that looks like it may be a nightclub or restaurant in the summer. It is now derelict and appears like an apparition over the water.
Around the old harbour is this amazing building made with hexagonal blocks. The blocks are perfectly constructed.
This beach on the other (eastern side) of town is just beautiful but quite inaccessible and apparently polluted int he summer. It is lined with a boardwalk and lots of cafes. Really no eating places, just mezethes, coffee and drinks.
Carla recommended this little cafe on the east side of the old town for lunch. It is just off the ocean front near my language school. What a find, We had the best Cretan salad and gemistes piperies - stuffed capsicum with a cheese. Amazing. The Cretan salad has a really delicious soft cheese - fresh Myzithra, on top and dried bread - Dakos . The cheese has got a tang and is also creamy...
Tonight we stopped ont eh way to diner to have a drink at a bar where they have been pestering us every nigth to have a drink. Finally relented and said that we would have small plate of mezes to go withthe 'free' drinks, And surprise surprise - we got stung for the mezes - 27E.....We will never go there again.
so we sat down in one of the bars on the boarwalk and got into the backgammon. Lots of fun
Woke up to beautiful blue skies but still very crisp. Angela's first day. We wandered down to the boardwalk and found a comfy seat at a cafe in the sun. We both got our books out and spent a very pleasant couple of hours studying and basking in the sun, watching all around. Later we had a delicious Cretan salad. It is really like a traditional Greek salad but they have a really creamy soft cheese that they put on it together with some toasted bread. Amazing.
Of course we had sleep in the later afternoon, then went for a big walk. We ended up at a bar on the other side of the bay where we got stuck into the ouzo. Later we changed and wnt out for a meal. We had stifathi - slow cooked lamb, and salad in a small restaurant near our lodgings.
How amazing is this view of Hania across the beautiful harbour to the snow capped mountains behind.
My classroom is on the first floor of the corner building. Underneath is a bakery with the most delicious food - galactobouriko (a custard delight) and only just passable coffee. There are always men sitting in the square - rarely women. On Friday night the school had a party where we met lots of other students. Quite a few of the srudents are foreigners who have married or live with Greeks in Hania. Others are visitors like myself.
As evening came along the storm seemed to abate. the sky was beautiful.
The harbour waters had settled. There were afew people out fishing into the harbour.
This is the entrance to my sutdio. It is ont he first floor with a small balcony. It is certainly spacious enough. Like all old Greek units it lacks windows so with the doors shut it is a little dark. Now that the weather is improving I can leave the doors to the balcony open. There is no-oneoverlooking.
I started my course yesterday. It is just a 10 minute walk - although each day I have been lost. None of the streets in the old city are straight or parralel - but I have now workded out the quickest way to and from the classes.
Arrived in Chania on Monday night. There was a storm when we arrived with a strong wind bowing. The next morning I walked around the harbour. It was awash. Apparently this is the worst weather they haave had all winter. There was a heat wave last week!
Angela took me down what loked like a back lane with lots of rubbish around. There was this charming little cafe with a second hand/vintage shop below. There was a dog that moved around from chair to chair - Dan would no be happy there. I had a giant cup of tea and a scone. A little later on live musc stared up
On Sunday we hit the markets at Petticoat LAne - eminently missable. Then on to Spitafield. This was a great market with interesting shops around. Lots of people who are making something new and selling it. Interesting ideas.
We went on to Brck Lane. This picture is chipped out of the wall. There was lots of great street art around. The food in Brick Lane was good with lots of interesting food stalls from a great array of countries. There was even an Ethiopian stall. We had a Japanese pancake.
Yes we returned - and we returned again. It was so delicious and such a great experience.
We went for a drink at the French House in Soho. To get there we caught a crazy rickshaw. We had such fun. We had a blanket and a seat belt rhank goodness. We passed the pedestrians and melded with the traffic in the most efficient way to get there.
After the French House we went to the Jersey Boys. What a great production. Every song a winner. The English audience was so restrained compared to the one in New York.
Outside Waterside Inn on the Thames was a launching ramp. There were some ducks and geese waiting to be fed.
Friday night we had the most amaxing meal at the Waterside Inn. The next morning we awoke to a beautiful day - freezing cold but clear skies. There was frost ont he ground. The trees were starting to blossom and there were daffodills poking up their heads all around.
Friday morning we headed south to Bray to the Waterside Inn. Angela put her head down on the train and left me to worry whether we had reached the right stop. She miraculously woke up just before we arrived....
What can I say about this place. Fabulous, and just down the road from Angela. It is run by an Israeli. Not such a large menu but great choices. Its open for breakfast and lunch - Im not sure about dinner. Very popular on Sunday when we had to wait for a seat. Great coffee.
Straight off the plane and Ange met me at Heathrow. We caught the train to Kngs Cross and a taxi to her flats. I was allowed a quick shower then we headed off down the street for a coffee at Caravan. A great coffee, just what I needed. Caught up on all the news. Loved walking around the streetw were Ange lives
We headed into Covent Garden on the bus. We put our names down in Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant for a seat. We had about a 45minute wait so we headed to a nearby bar. We went to 'Dirty Martini's'. It was downstairs and packed. I had a Cherry Blossom martini and Ange had a Lychee one. Lots of fun. Then we headed off to Jamies Italian, met up with Chris and had a fantastic meal. I had sardine, fennel buccantini. Amazing.
Angela lives on the thrird floor overlooking a large courtyard. The units are on a main street in Isington next to the town hall. There are shops, cafes, markets and bars all around. She rides her bike to uni in Covent Garden.
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