Crete Malia

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Monday 16th May 2011 Malia Crete

The hotel we are staying is the Hotel Neon in Malia, Pat booked it on the internet and it is €20.00 per night for both of us including breakfast.

Breakfast was continental in style with cheese, ham and bread several other things. Tea, coffee and juices all help yourself to as much as you want and very satisfactory.

Today we had decided to revisit Agios Nikolaos and Makrigialos, we left about 10 and tootled off into the sun. Talking of which, the weather is better here than when we left Cyprus. The spring this year in Cyprus has been very disappointing. We found our way with no real difficulties as we had spent 5 weeks on Crete two and a half years ago, of which we have very fond memories. Agios Nikolaos has hardly changed, the main difference for us was that we were now here in early summer and the place was buzzing with people. Our previous visit had been December so a much different atmosphere around. Pat was fascinated with the fur coat shops in the town.

We popped our head in the tourist office, but the young girl who was very helpful to us before didn't appear to be there so we quietly withdrew. We had a coffee in the cafe Du Lac and posted a blog, then wandered around the harbour and meandered back to the car.

Next stop was Makrigialos on the Southern coast and again we found our way with no problems. We drove through the village slowly and up to the house we stayed in, in a small complex, nothing had really changed so we went a little further to the next complex and some of it had been finished but only about half.

Back down into the village and parked opposite Status bar. This was now closed which we had heard about on the internet, apart from the pool table the place had been emptied, even the bars. We remembered our previous times here and some very fond memories.

The Gecko bar was open next door which we had visited a couple of times.

Further back up the road it was also to our great sadness to find that Lucky Luke's had closed, some of the best charcoal cooked Chicken was to be had in there.

We wandered down to the harbour and there were a few people about but not in great numbers.

We had lunch in a little beachside restaurant called Ilios - means Sun apparently - just some Turkey and Tuna sandwiches, as we had decided to eat a full meal later. Pat had her first Mythos for a while and said it tasted better than she remembered.

We wandered up to the harbour and over the hill and then back to the car again.

A straightforward drive back, with only a small stop in the Carrefour outside Ierapetra to pick up some bits and pieces.

We arrived back at the Hotel about 5 o'clock.

As we were in Crete there was no way we wouldn't have revisited some of the places very dear to us, but neither feel a strong enough pull to live in those particular places.

We ventured out early evening and walked in the other direction from before; restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, hire car places and anything else you can thing of for the tourist are on either side of the road off into the distance for what appears to be mile after mile.

We were approached a few times by touts outside restaurants but they were fairly low key and easy to shrug off.

We didn't see anything special so went back to the Rose & Crown for a pre dinner drink, then just opposite the Hotel was a restaurant called Sergiano we thought we would try.

We had a salad as starter then Gammon steak and Calamari with drinks and water it all came in a price we thought was reasonable.

Back to the Hotel and another early night.

Tuesday 17 May 2011.

Up for breakfast, same things as yesterday, then ready and off out about 10.

The plan for today was for a visit to CretAquarium, allegedly one of the biggest aquariums in the Mediterranean, this was back up towards Iraklion, but not to far away.

We followed the brown signs and found it,with no hassle. Entrance fee was €8 with an extra €3 which an Audio guide which we both had.

There was a party of young Greek children, but to be honest they were less trouble than the Germans, who kept getting told off for using flash cameras.

The place was very well set out and certainly a cut above many things you see in this part of the world. The audio guides were excellent and enhanced the experience with a lot of information.

Loads of tanks, some holding up to 3 metre sharks, so quite a display.

We spent several hours here and had a snack at the cafe after looking round the shop - didn't
buy anything.

Then back to Malia and a look at the ancient palaces of Malia, an archaeological site just outside the town. We like this sort of thing and wandered in the sun for a while. Then back to the Hotel for a breather.

Again in our travels today there were a number of Fur coat shops and Russian language used on the signs, so there would seem to be a market here, for some reason.

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Comments

[Ang Rutherford]

Hiya
Hello you two, Sounds like you are both having a wonderful time, sun, sea, sand, no fixed timetable to have to follow. Love the blogs, can feel the sun and hear the seagulls :o) Dark, grey sky here today and on the v chilly side ! We are being promised sun and heat at the weekend so fingers crossed. Looking forward to the next blog. Take care Love Ang

[Lucky Luke tavern]

Lucky Luke Moved
Hello, we are glad to inform you that Lucky Luke moved across the road with a new name "Ψητοπωλείο Μάκης" or "Grillhouse Makis", with more tables, next to the sea and always the same food quality. We will be glad to see you to our new place!