Greece, the land of ancient Gods, sun-kissed beaches, and a captivating Mediterranean way of life. I recently had the pleasure of venturing on a two-month solo trip to Athens, Santorini, Heraklion, and Rethymno. And oh my, what a rollercoaster of emotions! From the magical beauty of Santorini to the unwelcoming reception in Heraklion, my journey through Greece was nothing short of adventurous! So, grab a seat, and let me take you through my journey!
First stop Athens. Athens, the busy bustling capital of Greece. Upon arriving, I felt a sense of the ancient charm of Athens, but also the reality of the capital city's dirt and chaos. The Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus were a sight to behold. I walked around the Plaka area, the old city of Athens. The cobblestone streets lined with shops, bars, and cute cafes, were perfect for strolling and taking in the Greek way of life.
Best part, I had the pleasure of meeting my new friend Isamary in Athens. As two solo travelers, we embarked on a Saturday adventure to capture the essence of the city's many sights. In the spirit of camaraderie, we decided to team up and it has blossomed into a new friendship where we are encouraging and motivating each other to become better versions of ourselves and to pursue our dreams at all cost.
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Our next destination is Santorini, an enchanting island paradise where life feels wonderfully serene and sunsets paint stunning masterpieces in the sky. While exploring, I had the pleasure of meeting a free-spirited girl from Ukraine. We had an amazing time partying and getting quite wasted until 3 in the morning, something I hadn't experienced in what felt like ages. Additionally, I had the privilege of mingling with two stunning queens from London with African heritage. Their presence reminded me of my own beauty, as they insisted I could pass as being from Africa myself. As if these encounters weren't memorable enough, I also crossed paths with a charming young boy from Albania. He made me feel like royalty with his morning texts, shared moments at the cafe and leisurely walks along the beach. Despite being on a tight budget, he managed to dine and treat me like a queen during my last three days on the island.
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Heraklion and Rethymno, the last two cities on our journey, are nestled in the beautiful island of Crete. While officially part of Greece, Crete holds a distinct identity and rich history that sets it apart, making it almost like a separate country. Crete is the largest island in Greece and the second largest in the entire Mediterranean, following behind Cyprus.
We have reached Heraklion, a city that turned out to be the opposite of Santorini in every way. I encountered rudeness and disrespect from the locals, especially towards me being a black woman. It was disturbing and the complete opposite of all-day the charm and warmth I received on the other Islands. Dr. Georgios, the most famous oncologist in Heraklion, was the only welcoming presence in this city. He shared one of his few days off with me, the Saturday before I left, and took me on an all day ride across Crete, from one private beach to the next, we even took a private boat ride to Spinalonga (the Island once used to isolate people suffering with leprosy). He explained to me that the reason for my hostile treatment was due to a group of women from Nigeria who prostitute in the area at night. Unfortunately, my encounter with the people of Heraklion left a sour taste in my mouth. I have no intention of returning, and even now the mere mention of this city continues to unsettle me. The best part of Heraklion was the bus ride out of Heraklion on my way to Rethymno, I sat next to Agnes and Zoltan a beautiful couple from Budapest who you'll later see I met up with again on my second trip to Budapest.
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Rethymno was such a game-changer! 😊 I had the privilege of spending a whole month there - three weeks initially, then taking a week to explore Romania (future post), and finally returning to Rethymno for another week before heading back to Budapest. The charming city of Rethymno "Old Town" captivated me as I strolled through its streets. And I may have gone a little overboard with the shopping; had to send some items back to my sissy in the US.
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The Old Town has no short supply of bistros, cafes, and restaurants. Although I do have some favorites that I visited more than once (list below), I went out of my way to try a new restaurant, or cafe every time I went out. The heat was intense, with some days reaching a scorching 40 degrees Celsius. However, the memories I made with newfound friends will last a lifetime. From Valis and Alessia, my gracious hosts at the first Airbnb, to Metropolis Owners, Maria, Vegalis, and their children, to Cleopatra (her real name) and Aris who were all introduced to me by Carnation (also her real name).
I met New Yorker Irene at her shop where she sold me a much-needed extra bag to carry all my newly purchased dresses - each person added a unique touch to my journey. They made sure I never had coffee alone in the mornings, while Metropolis, the club/bar became my go-to spot in the evenings. Of course, there were countless more connections forged along the way, too many to mention here.
From the beautiful landscapes and seas, the shopping, countless meals, and the friendly locals who welcomed me, Greece is easily my second favorite place so far, with Budapest coming in as my favorite place. I simply cannot wait for the day I can return to Greece.
Best Airbnb's in Rethymno - https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/408036460
Best Coffee (only) cafe - https://goo.gl/maps/DEK2EyC8kzxYsvUm7
Best for Breakfast - https://goo.gl/maps/cmhpYnbvPCHqVqNr8 and https://goo.gl/maps/ua6Vz3gUejDmDbFe8
Restaurants (too many to mention) - https://goo.gl/maps/SAbyK2FNhCF2Bjt99 and https://goo.gl/maps/FKaQ2URNR1YUyAPY6
Best Club - https://goo.gl/maps/dXCWFYJVP5hydf4G8
Stay tuned for Rethymno Part 2 where we talk cats, my tattoo, and July 4th at Preveli Beach. See you there.
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