Crete Day Fifteen: Our Final Hurrah

The Last Morning in Crete

Ah, our last day in Crete! It’s been a whirlwind, and not always the good kind. Remember our less-than-stellar arrival? Traffic jams, kids crying, the elderly wandering aimlessly, and no room at the inn – what a start. But we hoped for a smoother journey home.

Breakfast Adventures

Bags were packed and ready to go – a big shout out to Michele for that. Off we went for breakfast. No point searching for soft-boiled eggs today; Michele had braved the queue for two omelettes. Not exactly gourmet, but it filled a hole.

Negotiations at the Hotel

I checked with reception about a late check-out. They wanted 8 euros per hour to keep our room. Instead, they offered us a complimentary room to store our cases and have a quick 30-minute shower. Guess which option we took? The freebie, of course.

Soaking Up the Last Rays

We parked ourselves on the beach to savour the last few hours of sunshine. The only interruption was lunchtime. Michele decreed that I wasn’t allowed a dip in the Aegean Sea – no wet clothes in the suitcase, she said. Fair enough, I suppose.

The Final Farewell

Showered and ready, we settled in reception, beer in hand, waiting for our coach to the airport. We bid farewell to Alex, but no sign of Venizelos or Rena. Maybe they were hiding, or perhaps they knew we were leaving and couldn’t face the tears.

The Ride to Heraklion International Airport

The drive to the airport had its moments. We got held up briefly by an accident on the main coastal road. A 7-tonne van was on its side, having tangoed with a couple of cars. The police were out in force, directing traffic. In the UK, they’d have closed both sides of the carriageway, but not here. We made it to the airport in good time, giving Michele plenty of opportunity to raid Duty Free.

Airport Shenanigans

At the gate, we were herded onto the tarmac for a shuttle to the plane. After 15 minutes, back upstairs we went due to a delay. No drama, we just settled in with our books. Called again, we finally boarded. Turns out, the plane had hit some birds on the way in and needed a thorough check. A two-hour delay, but at least we were safe.

Home Sweet Home

We touched down at home at 2:00 AM, absolutely knackered. Work loomed in a few hours, but that’s tomorrow’s problem. For now, it’s goodnight.