Saturday September 7, 2019
AKROTIRI, Greece – Guess I lost this one.
Betting even money that Anna, the car rental lady, would not show up at the appointed hour on Saturday morning, she actually rang our doorbell around 10:30. Explained she called but Waynette said we never received the call. We arranged for Anna to text us about exchanging cars, but she never did. So, she rode around for one hour and then saw our car parked on property. We quickly exchanged cars and were off to find beach chairs.
Anna said she would text us with a few stores but that never happened. Instead, we started off for Chania and hoped to get to the beach at a reasonable hour. Having no idea which stores we would find or even if beach chairs were still available here in the September shoulder season, we started off. We agreed that if we saw a beach inflatable, we would stop and that might indicate chairs could be available.
First, we stopped on a wide street and pulled over when we saw a stack of beach chairs. The owner pulled out the price tag, 32 euros for a small sand chair and we quickly concluded that was outrageous.
Down the street, we saw a stack of patio furniture and the price for a plastic chair was 10 euros. Okay, were getting closer but thought the purchase was impractical. Because we wanted to carry the chars on ferries with us and for use on other beaches in the Aegean, that purchase made no sense When we started to walk away, the old woman who approached as the sales person began screaming in some language, and Waynette thought she wanted to negotiate with us.
After a fruitless walk of a few blocks, we stopped at bakery for bread and small pastry. Back in the car, we GPS a hardware store which we thought might have outdoor beach stuff. Along the way, we stopped at another small shop with beach inflatables and Waynette jumped out and into the store. She came running back, beyond excited and said the clerk told us of a huge variety store which definitely have beach chairs.
After making a right into a major street, we came across the store, Jumbo’s, and the place was one of the most amazing stores. Thousands of items over two floors and the prices were terrific. The store is a combination of a Wal-Mart and the old neighborhood 5 and 10 cent store and Waynette said, even in her years in retailing, she never came across a store like Jumbo’s.
Quickly, Waynette picked up an upright folding chair, which folds back into its canvas case, and I picked up a beach lounge for 20 euros. We then purchase a few things for the house and by this time, it was after 2:00 on a perfect, sunny beach day. Instead of trying to find a new beach, we agreed to return to the beach at Stavros, the beach made famous in the “Zorba the Greek” film.
After a few hours, and around 6, we drove back, showered and agreed to go into old town Chania for the night. Stopped an outdoor café where we each ordered a chicken gyro, fries and drink. Then, we found a gelato place for dessert and made two purchases of sunglasses for me and a small bottle of balsamic honey for a salad that we’re taking to the beach on Sunday.
Old town Chania, positioned along the waters of the Aegean, is quintessential old Europe, with narrow streets just wide enough for a few people. Arches and columns can be founded at intersections and the small, angular streets are filled with restaurants and shops. If anyone wants to see Europe through the lens of a resident, wander about old town Chania and no one cannot be disappointed.
WEATHER – 90, sunny
STEPS – 6,700
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