Week 7 – Family Visit, South Coast, and a Weekend in Chania

The seventh week of my internship was very special – and not just because of work. My mother and stepfather traveled to Crete for my mother's birthday, and I was able to work remotely from Kalamaki on the island's south coast this week. An unusual setting, but one I immediately fell in love with.

The south coast of Crete has a completely different character than Heraklion. Kalamaki is quiet, unspoiled, and far removed from the tourist crowds – just what I needed for a week that felt like a mini-break. During the day, I worked from there, and after work, we spent time together. We went to the beach, swam, visited local tavernas, and explored some of the sights. It was lovely to see how enthusiastic my mother was about the island – Crete really does have a way of captivating people instantly.

From Friday to Sunday, the three of us traveled to Chania and spent the weekend there. Chania is one of my favorite cities in Crete anyway, and exploring it with family was a completely different experience. We took long walks through the old town, strolled along the Venetian harbor, and sampled our way through the local restaurant scene. The food was, as always, excellent—fresh fish, Greek meze, and, of course, the inevitable local wine.

It was a week that reminded me how important it is to consciously savor such moments. Seeing my own mother sitting at a birthday table in Crete in the middle of my internship felt surreal—in the most beautiful way. This week wasn't loud or packed with events, but it was meaningful, and sometimes that's what counts so much more.