More Fun in Rethymno
Leaving Poseidon Hotel, I came across this bright pink van! On the window it says “Tequila is cheaper than therapy”. There might just be some truth to that! Tipsy Flamingo Cocktail Bar is just as colorful on the inside. Deciding not to go in, I looked through the doorway while on my walk. Drinks are well priced. Next visit, I will check it out.
Walking along the shoreline sidewalk is so inviting. Bright pink bougainvillea creating covered walkways. Love the outdoor cafes. All of Rethymno has such a nice atmosphere. We were so busy every day, I never got the chance to eat in this area but I certainly will next time! Actually, I have so many things on my list for “next time”.
As I strolled through Old Town, Cathy sent me a txt to let me know that there was a Thursday Market taking place nearby. Loading it onto my maps app, I realized it was only a couple of blocks away! There was a crazy amount of activity in the area… cars, pedestrians and very few parking spots. Many booths held resh fruits and vegetables, honey and olive oil, local crafts and clothing. Other items local to Crete were also sold there. It drew quite a crowd!
After walking through the market, I entered the Four Martyrs Church directly across the street. Named after four Cretans (Aggelis, Emmanouil, Georgios and Nikolaos) who stood strong in the 1800’s when the Turks occupied the area. They refused to go against Christianity by converting to Islam. The four remained true to their faith… and paid a dear price. They were executed near to where the church now stands.
Old Town Rethymno is extremely charming. Rich in history, different eras can be detected in the architecture. With a mix of Venetian and Turkish influence added to the Greek, this is an area that much time could be spent gathering and researching information. The middle photo shows the Kara Musa Pasha Mosque. There is conflicting information as to when this was built. Ranging from 1646 after the conquest of the city to as late as 1680’s. Initially a Venetian monastery dedicated to Saint Barbara, this converted into a mosque in the seventeenth century.
On the right is the Unknown Soldier. Once a parking area for Old Town Rethymno, now this is a gathering place where music is played, and the Unknown Soldier is honored.
Visiting Cathy’s house was a treat! As you can see, the view is amazing! We enjoyed a salad with every imaginable vegetable! It was just what I needed after so much pasta and pizza! It was nice to have a lazy afternoon and see where Cathy spends her time.
Dinner was enjoyed at an organic restaurant and wine bar called Prima Plora. Oh my… it was an dining experience for the senses. Set at the shoreline, beside walls and walkways made of rock, the atmosphere was the icing on the cake of fantastic food and wine!
Initially, the wind was blowing a bit, so we sat behind a protective wall. Still able to view the Venetian Fortezza, we started with a little wine. Cathy had white, I had red. Scanning the menu, my mouth was watering. So many choices! We decided to share four items… quite a variety. Talking, sipping and eating… such a great evening… that carried on well into the night!
Seeing Cathy taking a selfie, our waiter decided to jump in on the fun. He had served us Raki with a dessert after dinner. Noticing we were deep in conversation, he brought us a second small bottle. Not wanting to insult him… we sipped on it.
When a third bottle came, we were a bit shocked. Cathy said that had never happened… this is traditionally a complimentary after dinner drink to help digest your meal. Produced from the leftovers in the wine making process, some places I saw it referred to as “fire water”! Needless to say, we had to refuse the fourth bottle when our waiter tried to drop it off!
Our waiter suggested one last photo. Thankful for his offer, we posed with the Fortress and lighted shoreline behind us. If I’m not mistaken, we were there for about four hours! It was fabulous!
