Crete is big. In fact, it’s the 5^th largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with an area of 3,219 mi². 

I booked a flight to Heraklion, but the port where I would be joining was 133 km away. WHOOPS.

So the journey continued with a 2 ½ hour private car transfer for 153 euros. (I COULD have negotiated the bus system…. but with no sleep and 2 mega suitcases, that seemed flatout impossible.).

I finally arrived to Chania, Crete.

But wait, there’s more!

I shrewdly booked a hotel in the historic downtown area. Which isn’t accessible by car. So I lugged my two suitcase down the cobble sounds, causing a deafening sound that echoed among the happy European dinners enjoying wine and feta.

After a few wrong turns I finally found my hotel, Hotel Elia Dorotheou. But there was no lobby and the door was locked. A Greek man sitting at a café noticed my distress, and came to my rescue. He called the number, informed me that I had to check in down the block. He probably smelled the lingering aroma of my New York anxiety – “Relax! You’re in Greece now!”

I loudly lugged my suitcases to said check in area. The woman said, “I think we have a problem. Your hotel is a two story walk up. Too much with those suitcases!”  After furious clicking she informed me that a night in a hotel with an elevator would be 65 euros. My room was only 40€!!!!

In the battle of convenience vs frugality, frugality won.

Once again, I must have looked quite distressed. She called a colleague to help carry my suitcases back to Hotel Elia Dorotheou and up the two floors (which weren’t TOO bad) The room was clean and lovely with great shower.

I shook it off, cleaned up, and headed out to get a gyro and explore.

Let the adventures begin!