Diving in Crete

While here in Crete I took my rescue diver course.  It probably was the hardest class I've taken physically and I only actually under water for 2 1/2 minutes the entire day.

After practicing all my skills in the pool we moved to the ocean.  Lets just say the winds were blowing hard and it was a "red flag" warning for the surf, not the easiest day to do surface rescue and diving.

This is me rescuing my first "patient" from the bottom of the ocean.  It took me 2 minutes to find her during an underwater search at 3 meters. with less than 1 meter visibility.  You have to perform simulated rescue breathing and keep their head above water while towing them back to shore.  

 When you get close you have to start removing all of their dive gear and then your own, while keeping their head above water.  The waves were a bit rough so if I can rescue during this water smooth seas should be easy.

Once you get all of the gear off and then to shore,  you have to get them out of the water.

 Last is the evaluation from your instructor.  All in all a great class and I'm a certified rescue diver.  Next step is "Dive Master",

A few days later Grant took his "Adventure Diver" course.  Lets just say the seas were on his side.  No wind!

Not sure what the look means but he is ready to go.

 One part of his class was underwater photography.  This was the best specimen he saw, and what a fantastic shot.

 Although this one is pretty cool also.

After three dives and mastering buoyancy and search & recovery, Grant got his "Adventure Diver" certificate.  Advanced open water is next.

Greece update

Well today is Kelly's 21st (40th) birthday and the plan is to sleep in (which she is still doing at 9:37), have coffee and toast in bed, head to our beach side lounge chairs where our toes touch the surf, and then dinner with friends. So no photos of the big day yet, but Happy Birthday Kelly.

Here are some photos since the last.

Grant at the wheel of an electric go cart. Looks fun but not fast.


So he decided to try his hand at
a Mazda on a dirt Greek road. Look out goats. You gotta learn some time.


Have spent some more time with our friends the Powers and their daughters Mimi and Hanna.


We have decided the food in Athens has been our favorite but this little meal at Maki's in Almyrida was pretty damn good.



Our final accommodations of our Greece trip. Really can't complain at all.


However the sunset is a bit bright.


A day with some Greek history. We traveled to the birth place of Zeus, Psychro Cave.


Hell of a steep walk up and then down into the cave but well worth it.






Kelly enjoys the spinach pie breakfast on the thee hour drive to said cave.


Grant and the kiddos helping make dinner by picking fresh lavender.


And more pool time.

Location:Almyrida,Greece

More of Crete

Had to share this one.  Kelly loves her toe photos.  This is Grant and I on the catamaran during our Santorini boat cruise

The water here in Greece has been amazing.  Not sure what makes it so clear but the colors are fantastic.  The water temp is about 22-24 degrees C, so it's not warm.  We also discovered today during our dives that there aren't many colored fish like in the tropical waters of Bali and Thailand.

This is a beach called Elafonissi.  It was a very cool place to see and spend a couple of hours.  But there were hoards of people and when the wind blew, which it did non stop, the sand was uncomfortable as it slammed into you bare skin.  But still worth the drive and the visit.

 Isn't she so pretty?

We love our road trips.  

 And when in new countries you get to experience new road trip things, like little tiny tunnels that have room for just one lane of traffic.  And when a bus is coming the other way, things get backed up.  We were the 7th car waiting for the mix up to get fixed.

Grant did his PADI Adventure diver class today.  He focused on buoyancy, search and recovery and underwater photography.  We get those photos on Thursday.  I went along just to watch him dive.  I think he is saying, lets go mom, this wet suit is bunching up and I want to get in the water.

This was after our first dive today.  G had a great time, but this face is priceless.  Guess the wet suit is still bunching up in places.

Good times had by all.  Our instructor, Kostos, was great.  He was also my instructor for my Rescue diver class I took on Saturday.

A bit more of Greece

We have now been in Crete for 10 days. Greece is an exciting country and the people are very nice. We haven't explored as much as we hoped so far but we still have another 19 days.

The little streets are definitely not made for big american cars. So our Mazda compact fits through them nicely.





Grant has been enjoying the back yard of our Air BnB house, especially the hose.


But apparently so do I. And yes I have been enjoying the Greek food.


I'm pretty good with the squirt guns and water bottles also.


Kelly's is doing well. She saw the Dr yesterday and the X-Rays show the ankle is healing well. And she is getting around on the crutches much better. Even getting her own breakfast.


We explored a bit of Old town Chania. It has a nice little harbor and light house.








This is a nice little beach we found. It's called Afrata. Only room for about 20 sun chairs.


But the water is amazing. Snorkeling was good. Diving on Saturday.


Greece has a bit of a banking issue. Since Monday banks have only allowed nationals to withdraw 60 Euros. Lines at the ATMs have been quite long.


The house we are in happens to have all three bedrooms upstairs. Makes it a bit of a challenge for Kelly with the cast. But she has a pretty handsome mule.



Today was spent at the water park. My feet and legs are exhausted. Pretty sure I climbed a million stairs.

Location:Palaia Ethniki Odos Chanion-Kissamou,Minothiana,Greece

Catching you up

Since my last post a lot has happened. We had a small ankle injury which has put Kelly in an air cast and crutches while we were in Santorini. Short story, just ask her about the lizards. So that put her out of commission for a few events, like the catamaran tour of Santorini. Already paid so Grant and I went.


Off we go


Heading for a swim in the not so hot hot springs of the Santorini crater.


Grant is loving the water view from the aft state room


Grant loved this spot


And I think it took a bit out of him.

Then it was off to dinner.


Love the fried cheese


And the company


And the chocolate soufflé.

The view was pretty nice also.



The next day was spent zooming around and packing for our evening ferry to Crete.



Another great beach G and I found on the quad.





More good food.





Business cabin seats on the Highspeed4 to Crete.


We arrived in Crete.

Location:Minothiana,Greece