Holiday on Crete!

Sometimes one has to decide very quickly. On Monday June 15th, Luda saw a last-minute, very inexpensive (195 Euro per person, 40 Euro per baby) offer for a week's holiday on the Greek island of Crete, which would start on Wednesday June 17th. And we thought what the heck and booked the holiday for the three of us and my mother, who is now visiting.

We've already been on the island for 4 days and are looking forward to the remaining 3 days! It is a wonderful destination through the combination of great weather (sun all the time), beatiful nature and scenary (the mountains and the sea seem to be everywhere), and very ancient culture which dates as far back as 2500 BC and is considered to be the cradle of European civilization.

We live in a simple but very nice, quiet accomodation on a hill overlooking Hersonissos, some 600 meters from the beach. We are renting a car, which is a great way to explore this island, where ancient sites and historical and mythical places await you everywhere.

Having spent the first day on foot, roaming about the city and the beaches of Hersonissos and relaxing at the swimming pool, on our second day we drove to the amazing Lasithi plateau and then walked up to the Dhiktean Cave, where according to legend, Rhea gave birth to Zeus. She was hiding there from Kronos, Zeus's father, who had been warned that he would be overthrowned by a son, and who accordingly ate all his sons. This very large cave is definitely worth a visit, despite quite a strenous climb of 15-20 minutes.

Almost all the roads on Crete can be marked as scenic routes on a map. The views from the roads are magnifiscent and often breathtaking. But to see the real gems of nature hidden on the island, you have to go on foot. For me it is a real pleasure, because I love walking. I carry Anne Sophie and some necessities such as water and food in a baby carrier on my shoulders, which adds another 12 kilo to my weight and gives me some extra exercise :)

On our third day we went to see the ancient city of Archanes, which has a wonderful small archeological museum, and the nearby ancient burial ground of Fourni. The burial ground, which is the largest Minoan cemetery discovered and has some Royal tombs, is very well preserved and dates back to around 2500BC. The coffins and other excavated objects are to be seen in the museum in Archanes. From there we took a winding mountain road to a place called Zaros, where Luda and mom relaxed at a trout lake, while I and Anne Sophie went up to a monastery and from their to the fabulous Rouvas gorge.

In the evening, there was a Greek party for the guests of our accommodation. Our elderly but very friendly hosts made a lot of delicious food, including barbeque, tsatsiki, etc. And there was music and a lot of dancing, including the draditional Greek dance of sertaki! Anne Sophie was enjoying herself too, running around the swimming pool, dancing on the pool table, and chasing the cat, who eventually got angry and left a couple of marks on Anne Sophie's arms.

The next day, we went eastwards to Aghios Nikolaos and down south to Ierapetra. Then we made a 3-km climb to the Dorian city of Lato. It was a very scenic climb up a very old stone road. Unfortunately, the site was already closed when we got there, so we might go there again today or tomorrow. But the walk was still worth it due to great views! From there we went to a small costal place called Plaka with a nice stony beach and a great view over the small prison island of Spinalonga. It was nice to cool down in the sea water after the very warm day and the tiresome walk!

That's it for now. I'll post the photos when we are back home! So stay tuned!