u/psdupe

On the way home from the vet on the weekend, my cat was getting sick in his carrier on the back seat. At a red light, I was the first car at the light… my car turned off (as it does at red lights)… and I took the opportunity to check on my cat- I undid my seatbelt and leaned into the back seat to open the cat carrier…

When the light changed to green, I faced forward again and buckled up and engaged my gas pedal…. my car restarted- but inexplicably would NOT drive.

Everyone was honking. The light turned red. Everyone missed the light. It was like that for 5 or 6 lights. I was panicking. I was calling roadside assistance when some young man rapped on my window… when I opened the window he asked me what was wrong and I explained and then I pressed my pedal to show him… and of course then my car lurched forward. 🤦🏻‍♀️ extremely embarrassing and I am paranoid it is going to randomly happen again.

Does anyone know why this happened and how I can prevent it?

Leaving in under a week for a vacation in Crete…

Anyone who has been to Chania (our base is Agia Marina) let me know if this itinerary seems too packed… or if there is anything you would sub in for something currently on the roster. :)

Day 5 (Knossos/Museus) and Day 7 (Loutro) are the days with a lot of driving. I tried to schedule lots of down time around that.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have to improve the itinerary.

Day 1 - Arrive Chania
Rental Car Pick Up.
 Drive to Agia Marina (~30 min).
Check in Hotel
 Grocery shop
Easy dinner & rest.
 
Day 2 - Chania Old Town
Sleep in. Drive to Chania (~15 min). Wander Old Town, leather lane, optional shopping.
Dinner at Salis
 
Day 3 – Balos Lagoon
Kissamos Port (~50 min drive).
Boat to Balos
Optional late lunch in Kissamos if hungry
Early return, quiet evening.
 
Day 4 – Recovery + Ntounias
Slow morning.
Lunch at Ntounias (45 min drive each way)
No other plans.
 
Day 5 – Knossos + Museum
Early start. Leave Agia Marina at 9 am
Drive to Heraklion (~2.5–3 hrs).
Knossos: 12:00–13:30 
Drive to town and park
Archaeological Museum of Herakleion 2:00 PM
If tired, shorten museum visit — meal timing allows flexibility.
Meal: 4:00 pm at Thigaterra
Drive to Agia Marina (~2.5–3 hrs).
 
Day 6 – Beach Day (Wind-Based)
NW wind → Elafonissi (~1.5 hrs).
If here- bring picnic lunch
Calm/S wind → Falassarna (~1 hr 10).
If here- eat at:
Taverna Golden Sunset
Mathios (more local feel)
 
Day 7 – Loutro Boat Day
Drive to Chora Sfakion (~1 hr 45).
Ferry to Loutro (~20 min). Buy return ticket
Lunch at Stratis. (no reservation needed)
Ferry back to Chora Sfakion (20 minutes)
Drive back to Agia Marina (~1 hr 45).
 
Day 8 – Easy Day + Shopping
Optional snorkelling (Marathi) or Chania shopping.
Farewell dinner — decide during the week(Pallas / Salis / local)

Day 9 - travel day back home