3. Chania - Crete

 Our first port of call was Souda, on the beautiful Greek island of Crete. 

Rob was up on deck bright and early to catch the impressive sunrise as the Marella Discovery slowly made her way into the Souda Strait, passing Souda Island. It was a wonderful start to the day, with the early morning light creating a lovely scene as we approached the island.

Once the ship was alongside, we were soon ashore and on our way, hopping aboard a local bus for the short journey into the nearby town of Chania.

After arriving, we stopped for a quick coffee before taking the short walk down to Chania’s famous and picturesque Venetian harbour. It was already fairly busy, with visitors enjoying the waterfront, its colourful buildings and the lovely views across the harbour. We spent some time strolling along the water’s edge, soaking up the atmosphere and admiring the scenery.

Leaving the harbour behind, we wandered back into the town, where we discovered a delightful, shady square complete with statues and fountains. It was just the sort of place to escape the bustle for a while, and before long we had stumbled upon a welcoming local café.

We decided to stop for something to eat and enjoyed a traditional Greek salad. The owner was friendly and happy to chat, and our little stop became even more enjoyable when he kindly offered us a glass of local wine. These unexpected encounters with local people are often what make exploring somewhere new so memorable!

After a lovely morning discovering Chania, we made our way back to the Marella Discovery. Once on board, we enjoyed a well-earned sundowner and a bite to eat before getting ready for the evening’s entertainment.

We headed to the Show Lounge to see the guest performer, Ce Ce Monsoon, (Ed Wallace) whose one-person drag show turned out to be a real highlight. Ce Ce had an absolutely fabulous voice, delivering impressive impersonations of well-known singers, including Shirley Bassey and Boy George, along with several other familiar names.

The show was not just about the singing, either. The comedy was excellent, particularly when Ce Ce interacted with members of the audience, creating plenty of laughs around the lounge.

All in all, our first port of call had been a lovely mix of sightseeing, delicious Greek food, friendly local hospitality and a thoroughly entertaining evening on board. Chania had certainly given us a wonderful introduction to Crete, and we were looking forward to seeing what the rest of our Mediterranean cruise had in store!