Island Hopping 2024: Crete, Moires Market, Ouzo on the Beach

This morning was the start of another beautiful day here. As the sun began to warm the rugged terrain of Crete, we drove to the heart of Moires to explore its renowned weekly market. Stepping into the lively streets, we were greeted by a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds that promised an unforgettable experience.

Strolling through the bustling marketplace, we marveled at the vibrant array of fresh produce, some of it unrecognizable to us, and aromatic spices that filled the air with a tantalizing fragrance. Even the fish mongers’ stalls had the smell of the Sea that I found pleasant.  The air was alive with the sound of vendors haggling and shoppers bartering, creating a lively symphony that echoed through the narrow alleys.  It seemed as though everyone knew one another and Sandy and I noted how this was as much about the people meeting up as it was about the weekly shopping.

Good Morning Kalamaki Beach

The fish monger's stall

So many cheeses, so little time

I don't know what these were, we tasted them, maybe some bean brined like an olive

Live music at the market

After immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the market, we sought respite at an absolutely charming café nestled in an active stretch of the market. Seated at an outside table, we savored the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and watched as the world passed by.

Coffee at an outdoor café, 

Sandy, sipping her coffee Americano

We made a new friend of the café owner, and as we bid him and the market farewell we knew that our Saturday morning at the Moires market would be a memory to treasure long after our travels have ended.

I did not understand his Greek, he did not understand my English, but somehow we got each other's jokes and had a good time.

Returning home, Sandy expressed how comforting it was driving back to our AirBnB through “our” olive groves.  She always builds a nest when we check in for a week or more.  I think when she refers to the olive groves as “ours” the nest is built.  In the late afternoon we walked the beach, Sandy being the incorrigible shell collector could not help but gather up a dozen or so and tell me the story behind each one.  Apparently I needed a complete reeducation on how to differentiate bivalves from univalves.  I’ve now been so educated.  We ended the evening at a beachside taverna enjoying a beer and an ouzo and watching yet another “Chamber of Commerce” sunset. 

I finally gave in and took Sandy to this cemetery on the way back to Kalamaki Beach

Sandy enjoys going through cemeteries wherever we go

The chapel at the cemetery

St. George racking up another dragon

Crete stands alone, but it is a part of Greece

Laundry day in Kalamaki Beach

She sees sea shells by the seaside

The beach looking south

The beach looking North, 

The road that leads to our apartment

The perfect way to end a day in Crete

The sunset is remarkable

remarkable