Sailors from the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) work long hours while on deployment; days are long and the job can get monotonous.

When Sailors need a break to recharge their batteries, one of the remedies is to go off the beaten path and connect with their surroundings.

GHWBCSG Sailors who went on a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tour of the town of Rethymnon, the Holy Monastery of Arkadi and Kournas Lake received the opportunity to get away from it all for a few hours and enjoy a relaxing time.

"The only goal I had when I signed up for this tour was to relax and enjoy the scenery," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Lesnir Felix-Rodriguez. "I want some peace and quiet, and Greece has that covered if you know where to look."

Sailors began their tour by going to the town of Rethymnon, where they learned about the history of the Venetian fortifications still standing. After that, they had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast at any of the cafes in town.

"We were told this is the third largest city in Crete, but it's quieter and smaller than cities I've been to," said Felix-Rodriguez. "Having a latte and waffles by the sea is a great, though. I had my first European cafe moment."

Afterward, Sailors visited the Holy Monastery of Arkadi, where they learned of its history. Built in the 14th century, it was partially destroyed by the Ottoman Empire in 1866 and rebuilt shorty after. It is a historical monument for the Greeks and is still an active monastery.

"I was blown away by the history of this monastery," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Jennifer Andra. "This place is so serene and beautiful. It's hard to imagine everything that happened here in the past."

The last stop of the tour was Kournas Lake, the only freshwater lake on the island of Crete. There, on the second floor of a tavern, Sailors enjoyed a view of the lake and the surrounding landscape. They also had the chance to walk closer to the lake, and had several opportunities for pictures.

"I haven't felt this relaxed in so long," said Andra. "There are so many beautiful places in Crete. It really is one of the most beautiful places in the world."

After dinner, the Sailors took in the view one last time before boarding the tour bus. As the bus drove off, seemingly everyone was silent. The silence wasn't somber, but one of calm serenity. The locations they visited on the tour gave Sailors a well-deserved break from their jobs, and they left refreshed and renewed.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests.

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