Saturday 20 May 23
Checked out at 1100, paying the €3/day tourism tax, and then escorted by our driver made our way through more back alleys to his parked Mercedes. And so we set off for a comfortable and safe 1h10 journey back to CHQ. It was interesting to note that everyone seemed to stick rigidly to the speed limit (generally 80 kph) so I assume the Police are both observant and strict.
Ah, Chania Airport … one long building, with Departures at the left end. We thanked our driver with €95 + €5, which seemed to please him … is tipping not expected?
And so to Bag Drop, which seemed rather hectic until we spotted the empty BA Club Europe queue on the left [this photo was taken a few minutes later when it had more customers!].
We slipped outside for a last cigarette [there’s seating all along the kerbside area] before making our way inside and up the escalator to Security. This was completely painless and quick, and so to the inevitable Duty Free Zoo! Cigarettes [Marlboro Gold] were €42/200, not hugely cheaper than in a local tobacconist but miles cheaper than at home.
Having escaped that area, it was onward to Gate 15 via Passport Control. Gates 14 & 15 are separated - I assume this is for non-EU flights. Passports duly stamped in a very neat fashion … one for Entry, one for Departure, neatly aligned side by side. How different from the USA [and others] who just whack a stamp randomly in the middle of a new page! This page is now the Crete Page!
And here we are at Gate 15 … yes, wait at the Gate, because there are no lounges at Chania! Comfortable enough, though, and with a decent view of the ramp area ahead of us. And it’s the first time I have ever seen BA Carry-On Sizing Gauges! Oh, if only they used those at LHR and LGW.
Gate 15 holding pen!
Our aircraft!
Bag Sizers
The Group 1 bus
Saturday 20 May 23
Sector 3
BA0661, CHQ-LHR, 1420-1630, A320, Seats 1D/F
Eventually at 1340, Group 1 [only] were called forward, and released to wait outside, at the top of the steps down to the buses. A few minutes later, BA0661 was ready to receive us and the Tensa barrier was opened to enable us to board the bus for the 100 yard journey to the aircraft. And to my amazement, the bus departed with just we lucky Group 1 pax, leaving ’the others’ still stood outside waiting. How VERY nice! And so we settled in to our seats, noticing the lack of a fitted table between 1D and 1F.
They are VERY efficient here at Chania … Boarding Complete at 1400, with 6 rows of CE. And not a word from Captain Speaking about delays! We received an effusive and genuine Gold greeting from the IFM and seemed to be the only recipients of that: how strange.
Push back at 1417, airborne 1428, drinks and nuts 1445, Meal at 1455 …
Lunch is served
Braised Beef Cheeks, etc.
Primitivo
That all turned out to be rather nice, including the little bottle of Primitivo, and so we sat back [or rather, upright] for the rest of the totally unremarkable journey, reading our Kindles as usual. Approaching LHR I reset my watch [back 2 hours] and at 1610 we landed on Runway 09L at LHR. And we had a Gate at T5A, which made a change from some recent experiences. A short delay ensued before the doors were opened, but then we were on our way again to Flight Connections, this time taking the left side for the CTA & Channel Islands. There both our passports scanned without difficulty [was this a first for my Lady?] and it was up to South Security which was negotiated without any grief.
We were in the First Lounge by 1645, so not a bad transit. Not being particularly hungry, we searched for a light snack and found the offer pretty dismal. My chicken sandwich seemed to have partly escaped the filling process, and I quickly gave up!
Sad Sandwich
Sector 4
BA1350, LHR-JER, 1930-2035, A319, Seats 1D/F
During one of BA’s many timetable changes, this sector had been brought forward from 2020, at least sparing us another hour in the Lounge. And we have a Gate … yes, the bus from Gate A4 again, at the far end of T5. And so we all cram on the bus, with no Group 1 priority or anything except being treated like cattle as we head for a remote stand near the Fuel Farm. The contrast with CHQ makes me feel slightly pi**ed off.
Whatever, we board with the rest of the cattle, note with relief we have space in the overhead above 1D/F, and wait to go home. Which we do without any intervention from the Captain, and are served the hight-speed salad dinner [which was actually rather tasty all round].
After which, as usual, we flew and landed at JER. Bags were quicker to arrive than they were on our departure, and so taxi home and … another trip done. Lovely. Next stop, Dominican Republic in July, lucky old pensioners!
A few afterthoughts on Crete, from our limited experience:- They seem to be a kind and friendly people. We were welcomed everywhere we went, including the local 7-days Supermarket and various shops and tavernas.
- Driving seems a saner experience than in much of the Mediterranean.
- Passport stamping, as noted above, is very precise!
- I suspect you don’t mess with the Police or any officials.…
and finally …