Day 20: Heraklion, Knossos Palace & Mamma Mia!
Wednesday, August 13th
Today’s travel blog is brought to you by Annabelle in Ms. Hrvatin’s English class. Enjoy!
Heraklion and Knossos Tour
A few students arose with the first light, making their way to the beach for a sunrise swim. The waves rolled in and out like a steady heartbeat, while the horizon was slowly warmed with a gentle orange glow, spilling light across the water, a perfect start to the day. By 7:45 a.m., breakfast awaited the students with a generous buffet brimming with choices. The chocolate croissants were a clear favourite, their flaky layers giving way to soft, melting chocolate that lingered sweetly on the taste buds, the perfect way to start a morning.
At 8:45 a.m., the classes parted ways. The English group headed to a nearby café called Theorists to meet with their teacher and work on personal essays. Most students ordered a variety of drinks, though one decided to go all in and enjoy a full meal at nine in the morning. The photography class spent their time watching a documentary about a British-Greek photographer before creating sun prints for a project. “The sun prints,” Zara explained, “were a very different approach to photography and introduced a new aspect of creativity.” Meanwhile, the history class gathered at the same café, where the warm smell of freshly baked bread greeted them at the door. They analyzed quotes from Marcus Aurelius’s journal, then moved on to research projects on the Roman emperors, debating whether these rulers were admirable or flawed. “The research on the Roman emperors revealed a lot about historic figures and who they were as people,” said Callie. By lunchtime, students were sent off to do their own thing. Some headed to the supermarket to stock up on groceries and snacks for movie night, while others wandered into the city of Rethymno to enjoy traditional restaurants, and a few stayed behind to continue working on their assignments.
After a morning full of school work, everyone piled onto the bus and set off for Heraklion, the bustling capital of Crete. The ride was full of chatter and music that quietly travelled from someone’s phone, with everyone buzzing about what they might see or buy. When we arrived, the streets were alive, shops bursting with bright colours and captivating appearances, and the air carried the smell of fresh bread, coffee, and something sweet I couldn’t quite place. We wandered in small groups, trying on clothes, picking up little trinkets, and stopping to look at anything that caught our eye. At one point, my group found a gelato shop and ordered some fruit sorbet that honestly might have been the best thing I’ve ever tasted. It was so fresh, so real, that it made me smile without thinking, like summer had been frozen just so I could eat it.
After a bit more shopping, we climbed back onto the bus and set off for Knossos, the oldest European capital and a historic landmark. There, we met with our tour guide, Maria, who walked us through the ruins of the palace, bringing its stories to life with each step. Walking into the ruins, knowing the walls had stood for thousands of years, was nothing short of breathtaking. It’s incredible to think about how much we’ve uncovered about the past, yet how many mysteries still remain. Within the palace walls, countless stories have been created and taken place, but none more famous than the legend of the Minotaur and the labyrinth where he was said to be trapped, a tale our guide shared in detail. We learned about the Minoan people, their unique culture, and the way they lived, even pausing to admire ancient tapestries that gave us a glimpse of how they looked in their own time. While everyone learned a lot of information, the history students listened with particular focus, knowing they’d be writing a journal entry on Knossos as part of their work for the day. When it was time to leave, we stepped onto the oldest road in Europe. Walking along it left a quiet, lingering awe, knowing that for thousands of years, both everyday people and great historical figures had set foot on those same stones.
We climbed back onto the bus for the final leg of the day, the ride back to the hotel. By then, exhaustion had settled in, leaving only the soft hum of music and the occasional sleepy yawn to fill the space. Dinner came and went quickly. The food was good, though it didn’t quite meet the expectations set by the other delicious meals we’d enjoyed earlier in the program. Afterward, most of the students stayed in for a Mamma Mia movie night, a perfect choice in my opinion, given our destination. The atmosphere was warm and joyful. Some students sang along, while others watched quietly, content to cherish the moment. In just three short weeks, the people in the room had become like family. The end of the program was approaching fast, and a quiet sadness lingered, as everyone realized that this little paradise wouldn’t last forever. How could school ever be this much fun again? Eventually, the night came to a close as we headed to bed, but a buzz of excitement remained. Tomorrow promised more adventures, like exploring a cave for an optional excursion, parasailing, and tubing. This kept the spirit of the program alive just a little longer.
