Crete

Crete overall was probably the least impressive of the places visited on the tour, nonetheless it is the site of some important ancient history. Most of ancient Greece dates back to the Mycenaean people’s, whereas that of Crete is where the Minoan civilization called home. A cradle of civilization, the Minoan people used Crete as their hub of trade and commerce, they were not a militaristic people in any way.

We made a visit to what is left of the Palace of Knossos, where the mythological minotaur is said to have been slain by Theseus, the son of Athenian Aegius.  After slaying the Minotaur and returning to Athens, it’s said that Theseus, elated by his victory forgot to erect the white sail. Distraught by his son’s perceived death, Aegius is said to have thrown himself off a cliff and into the sea, to which now the sea is still name the Aegean sea.  The Minotaur was a myth told in ancient Athens to demonize the Cretans, however there is evidence of human sacrifice, with marks on children’s bones from meat cleavers.

After the palace we wandered along the marina and into the town center. The town itself offers lots of shopping and restaurants and has a nice atmosphere. We were particularly taken by spending our time on one of the Venetian sea-walls and watching massive airplanes take off low overhead. (Pic is of the only other somewhat interesting thing in Crete, a Venetian fortress that's not open to the public)