So, here we go!
Second day in Chania. I woke up in my king-sized bed. I loved it. It was almost 8 a.m. on a Monday. The 16th, to be exact — my birthday. With immense pride, I made my way to the bathroom.
Sidenote: Did I tell you that you’re not allowed to flush toilet paper in Greece?
Sorry, for the sidenote.
Anyway — on my first day in paradise, I decided to explore Chania a bit. But of course, it wouldn’t be a great holiday without a beach. So I Googled the closest beach to me and found…
Paradise…
I enjoyed it so much, even though I’d gotten up at 7 a.m., got ready, and walked there in 10 to 15 minutes. On the walk to the beach, I just took in the infrastructure, the houses, and the apartment buildings. So different, yet so beautiful. I loved every step, every flower — hell, even every dog dookie I found on the path to the beach.
I arrived around 8 a.m. and simply… chilled. After all the exams, the stress — and best of all, on my birthday — I just enjoyed my own company. No men, no friends, no family. Just me. Just what I needed.
I took in the sun and even went into the water. To make sure no one would steal my phone, money, or hotel key, I had bought a little phone case I could take into the ocean.
I stayed until around 10, when the families, couples, and other tourists started making their way to the beach. I quickly packed my bag and made my way back to the hotel.
Goodbye, Nea Chora Beach.
Fast forward
Fast forward.
Hello, breakfast. After that amazing time at the ocean, I finally had to eat. I went to the hotel’s recommendation — Phyllo, located just a couple of minutes away. It was EPIC. I chose coffee, even though I don’t usually drink it, but since I got up early on not only my birthday and the first day of vacation — I deserved it.
What I also deserved? That lovely pita bread sandwich I had. The flavors were breathtaking.
Just look at this:
I devoured it quickly and, honestly, left the restaurant as fast as I could. It was a small establishment with way too many customers. I was full, so what now?
Back to the hotel, of course. Because what else is there to do on holiday but sleep?
An hour later, I was awoken by the cleaning lady. She wanted to clean, so I had to leave again. Where to go now — half asleep at that?
I decided to walk to the harbor and join the rest of the tourists. I took as many pictures as I could, stood on the observation platform, walked a lot, and just soaked in the Vitamin D. I swear I could feel the sun building up in my skin. And I mean, who wouldn’t love all this beauty?
An hour later, I was awoken by the cleaning lady. She wanted to clean, so I had to leave again. Where to go now — half asleep at that?
I decided to walk to the harbor and join the rest of the tourists. I took as many pictures as I could, stood on the observation platform, walked a lot, and just soaked in the Vitamin D. I swear I could feel the sun building up in my skin. And I mean, who wouldn’t love all this beauty?
After about an hour, I made my way back to the hotel. The cleaning lady had left, I laid down, turned on another episode of Modern Family, and slept a little more.
A couple of hours later, I woke up to music and chatter from the streets. I got up, put on some makeup, and picked my most beautiful dress. I wanted to celebrate myself.
I walked onto the busy streets and found a restaurant that I quite liked.
My birthday dinner… Tzatziki
And the main dish was the meat-filled pita dish called Spanakopita. It was delicious fresh, seasoned and very enjoyable. YUMMY. I ate like a Queen and felt like it as well.
And for the main dish, a meat-filled pita — Spanakopita. It was delicious, fresh, seasoned, and very enjoyable. YUMMY. I ate like a queen and felt like one too.
Afterwards, I left the restaurant on a mission: to find my favorite drink — a Strawberry Daiquiri. My favorite bar back home didn’t have a mixer anymore, so they stopped making it. Sad. So I walked around the harbor and was talked up by a host — as is common in many Southern European countries. After he said they did have Strawberry Daiquiris, I sat down and waited for my favorite drink.
I got it. I enjoyed it. And then… almost cried.
The drink was 12€.
I will never sit down in a restaurant again and order something without asking how much it costs or at least checking the menu.
A very expensive birthday for a semi-broke student.
A very expensive birthday for a semi-broke student.
Here it is, the drink that broke my bank account.
Red as the devil.
And that was it — my birthday, and my freedom day in Chania.
More to come!
THE SPOT 