Day 13 (Sat, Sep 27): Cruising / Crete

We were momentarily filled with shock and horror this morning when we discovered a cloud in the sky. In fact, it was blocking the sun! Needless to say, that crisis soon passed. Another leisurely morning on the Boat Deck and the Lido Deck enjoying the sun. We arrived at Heraklion (Iraklion, Iralklio), Crete about 11:00 this morning. At 2:00 we went on an excursion to the Heraklion Arachaeological Museum (find "Venetian Harbour" on the map and drop down from there). The large building shown at the harbor is the Venetian Fort Koule (meaning "Fort" in Turkish). I was thoroughly fascinated while we were in the Museum. I had been thoroughly engrossed by Mary Renault's historical novels, beginning with The King Must Die much of which takes place in Heraklion-Knossos, partly in the famous bull ring there. Here at the museum many of Renault's literary places and objects took on physical form, and the effect was overwhelming. Bull Leaping Bull Rhyton Rock Christal Rhyton Bee Pendant Snake Goddess Phaistos Disc Boar's Tooth Helmet Aghia Triada Sarcophagus Fisherman Boxers "Parisienne" Lily Prince Minoan Women The site at Knossos is in a lovely spot. The restoration work is quite extensive and gives you a very good idea of how it must have been. Palace Plan West Portico, charging bull Stairwell Queen's Megaron (Bedroom) Throne Room Temple Tomb restored light well magazine, pithoi for oil or wine Karen and me touring Knossos We went to a cocktail party tonight for our tour group. After the party we returned to our cabin where we were joined by the Reeves and Christina. Finished off our bottle of duty-free scotch then went to dinner. We sat with Christina. Had a fantastic dinner with caviar, lobster, chateaubriand, cake, baked Alaska. Went up top the Lido Deck after dinner and had some beer before staggering to bed.

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