Crete Day Two – The Fiasco Continues!

Hotel Changes – A Two-Center Holiday? No, Just More Fiasco!

Today is the big move to our booked hotel, but not before 12:30 when they’re supposed to pick us up.

Breakfast was in the main dining area, and contrary to all my expectations, it was actually quite good. An English breakfast of sorts if that’s what you fancied, but Michele and I are more European in our tastes. So, it was cereal, bread, meats, and fruit for us. I did sneak in an omelette too, but don’t tell the Brexiteers!

Poolside Relaxation and Sneaky Beers

We both sat out by the pool for a while, mindful not to get our clothes wet before the proposed transfer. Michele listened to her music while I read my Kindle. Feeling a bit too energetic (we’re definitely solar-powered), I left Michele to sit by the bar in the shade and grabbed a sneaky beer. Oh no, Michele found me, but it’s alright—she was more interested in having ‘Sex on the Beach’ and it’s only 11:30?

The Great Room Move

Back to the room at 12:05 to shift our cases, but it seemed we were barred access. A trip to reception later, and I was granted temporary access to fetch the cases. We waited in reception for 15 minutes for our confirmed 12:30 pick-up. Yeah, whatever—Greek timekeeping is like our son Lewis’s timekeeping. They finally arrived at 12:40 and we were bundled into a 7-seater car with another couple (as old as my mum and dad from Newcastle). Our cases, however, were in a pick-up truck following us. WTF—a waste of money!

Arrival at Rethymno Palace

Now in the Rethymno Palace, we were promised the earth to make up for last night’s fiasco. Room upgrade, meals in the à la carte restaurant, room safe paid for. Wow, steady on. On reflection, the room upgrade was to the room Michele had already paid extra for, à la carte meal—we’re all-inclusive, so what’s the win? The room safe saved us a total of 32.50 euros over the two weeks. Oh, don’t forget the 15-minute massage we have at our disposal, but it has to be booked within two days of arriving. They’re now claiming yesterday as our arrival date. Really!

The Room with a Sea/Side View

The room was okay, with a sea/side view. Yes, we could see the sea, and yes, it was at the side.

Lunch and Beach Adventure

Down for lunch, and yes, it was good. No need to spend the kids’ inheritance on a timeshare to get tasty food (unlike Mexico in 2017).

Now for the beach and pool experience, bearing in mind we both prefer the beach. Well, the beach isn’t stony but can be classed as shingly. Tough underfoot with it being loose and hot. I did get to paddle in the Aegean, which was a first. Then we tested the pool. Michele moved several times tracking the sun until she lost sight of it. I think we’ll be at the pool more often unless I can confirm that the shingle is good for the hard skin on her feet to make them baby soft.

Chasing the Rep

We tried to join the welcome meeting to air our grievances, but Cretan Holidays were nowhere to be seen! Several text messages later, they suggested we speak to another lady—no reply. Then they had the cheek to say if we’re from the UK, we need to speak to Voyage Privé UK as they’re only based in Crete. Erm, so are we now! Ongoing emails to resolve this will follow.

Cocktail Hour and New Friends

After the sun left the pool, we went to the bar and sat drinking our way through the cocktails. Can you believe this—some are free with all-inclusive while others need to be paid for? We met another couple from Edinburgh, but they’re my parents’ age! Nice to talk to for the afternoon though. They too were looking for their rep—good luck with that.

Reflection

Not many from the UK here, which suits me fine.

Two hotels—so which is best? Yesterday’s hotel but moved to this location. But that’s out of my control.