Crete 2008

	This year we spent two weeks in Crete. Four years ago we could only explore Gouves and its surroundings as Dora was not at all keen on sitting in a car, and we also visited Santorini then. But now it was time for something more serious: to explore far-away parts of the island, which gives you so much more than the crowded northern coast. West Crete slideshow (110 photos) East Crete slideshow (160 photos)
For the first week of our stay we chose Falassarna on the west end of the island. The spacious bay is surrounded by spectacular mountains, and the sea is often made rough by crushing waves. We arrived at 1 am after three hours in the car from Iraklion Airport. We got this amazing view in the morning right from our balcony!
	We also had a beautiful garden next to our balcony where we could take really nice pictures of the whole bay. You are a little mistaken here though, as you cannot see the actual size of the beach which is in a wide open hole!
The huge terrace above the beach - which hinders you from seeing the real size of the sand strip - is covered by olive plantations and greenhouses, which you probably find striking at first. But if you think about it for a moment, you can be really grateful for it as there are no huge hotel complexes, and the area provides a normal living for the people here.
	We slept a little late but then we immediately went to the beach of course. It was a fantastic experience for Dora as she only saw waves as high as these four years before. Luckily, she was not at all afraid of them and walked into the foaming waves in the most natural way.
We had the biggest waves this day, due to the strong west wind that was blowing all day. But this is the best wind direction here as at least it leaves the sand in its place. The problem comes when the wind suddenly gets stronger or changes direction, as all your body and things get bombarded by hard sand.
	On of the first things Dora tried was jumping in the waves. She just remembered doing this last year on Tsampika, Rhodes, but of course now it was even more enjoyable as the waves were a lot bigger here.
She also enjoyed the fantastic scenery and gladly posed for the camera. I didn't find it difficult either to take pictures of these truly unforgettable moments!
	She adored the way the waves covered her body, and there was just no stopping as there was always another wave to come!
She awaited each and every wave with great excitement, just like a real playmate. She just never got bored with it!
	It was time for the doggy belt too. She was really brave in it!
She used it as a wave riding tool, first at the edge of the water.
	What a pleasure to play with the sand here!
Feeling the place.
	You just never get tired here!
Can you imagine how many things can you do with the waves? If not, just try it!
	A fragment of the incredible panorama you get here!
Finding the best place on Earth.
	Neverending joy.
First dinner. Roubini Apartments in the background.
	Our first sunset in Falassarna, from the tavern.
Roubini Apartments is one of the best places to stay in Falassarna, probably the very best! Amazing view, immaculate cleanliness, nice furniture, and above all, genuine hospitality! For more information go to: www.roubini-apartments.gr
	Heading for Elafonissi on our second day. Falassarna from the winding road.
West coast of Crete.
	The village of Papadiana. Worth stopping!
Elafonissi with tons of people in high season.
	Another heaven on Earth?
Getting the job done.
	Exploring the sea bottom.
Pink sand???
	Paradise for children.
Through Topolia. What a scenery!
	Sunset from our balcony.
Heading for Balos on our third day.
	Balos - view to the south.
Central view.
	View to the north.
Closer view of Balos.
	Getting up the hill.
Ant-people.
	Paradise for goats.
Do I have a nice profile?
	A five-year-old hero and her proud father: Dora got down and up the hill on her own feet!
Going home.
	Tavern with a big view.
Are you still hungry???
	A delicate touch.
Another one.
	Paleohora on the south coast of Crete.
Fierce winds - no people on the sandy beach.
	Tasting the pebble beach of Paleohora.
View to the west.
	View to the east.
Heading for Sougia - what a road!
	Sougia from the mountains.
Sougia beach - eastern side.
	Sougia beach - western side.
It's not like sand!
	Taverns in Sougia.
Entrance to Samaria gorge.
	Omalos.
We need to wait a few more years until we can do it with Dora.
	Winding roads at superlative degree.
Chania beach - waiting for my gyros on plate.
	On the playing ground after a hard day on the roads.
Waves of Chania.
	Time to go home.
Calm water at Falassarna.
	Are you sure?
Do I have to save my daughter?
	No, if she enjoys it as much as this!
Do I need my father's help?
	Of course not!
Shall we play hide and seek?
	Getting high.
Enjoy!
	Too good to be true?
But it is!
	Shall we find some ruins?
Oh yes!
	Exploring the site.
On the throne.
	Beach at the north end.
No waves!
	On the rocks.
Secluded.
	Last day on the beach of Falassarna.
Is it high enough?
	Yes!
But you can get even higher!
	Good enough for the background?
Definitely!
	Just can't get enough.
Don't be aggressive.
	Washed by waves.
Wiped by waves.
	What am I doing?
Scream for joy.
	Too many people? Where?
Swimming in the sand.
	Don' let go!
Broken waves.
	No hurt, that's for sure!
Is it high enough?
	Not always!
No time to get bored.
	Just jump!
Or walk!
	Last sunset at Falassarna. :(((
Finding some comfort.
	Last morning view.
No time for mourning!

	East Crete slideshow (160 photos) West Crete slideshow (110 photos) Xerokambos - mountain view.
Big view of Amatu and Limani of Xerokambos.
	Getting closer to Amatu.
Amatu - the wind is getting high in the evening.
	Morning view from our balcony.
Waiting for the winds to get weaker..
	Another paradise on Earth!
A soft ride.
	Time to think.
A dog or a kid? Or a kiddog?
	Collecting rocks from under the sand.
A new passion.
	Big and nice enough?
Oh yes!
	Enjoy the calmness.
Kostas Tavern and its permanent "guest".
	Some sweet.
Dora the laughing ghost!
	Enjoying some shade.
Great sand for castles.
	Floating.
A smile for the place.
	So nice to be here!
Will it reach me?
	Oh yes!
A nice run.
	Come here and wash my sole!
At the only mini-market of Xerokambos.
	A game of lights.
The art of building a sand castle.
	Come with me!
Throw me!
	I'll explain you how.
Yes, that's what I thought of!
	Having it all.
Posing with a palm tree.
	Before finding a great tavern.
Posing for the rocks.
	Akti Studios - right on the beach of Amatu.
Have a look at www.xerocamboscreta.com if you want to get to know everything about Xerokambos. Anna and Andreas will help you whatever you may wish for!
	Amatu in the morning.
Posing on the way to the mini-market.
	The wild beauty of Xerokambos.
Ambelos beach in the morning.
	Nice little bays.
Exciting rock formations.
	Akrogiali tavern next to Ambelos beach.
South corner of a little rocky bay.
	Centre of the same bay.
The north end of it.
	Want to get some quality time?
You won't be disappointed!
	Towards the north end of Xerokambos.
On the way to Kato Zakros, 9 km from Xerokambos.
	Brand new asphalted road.
The road to nothing?
	Oh no!
Kato Zakros.
	The beach of Kato Zakros.
Taverns right on the beach.
	Posing for the view.
So crowded, isn't it?
	A lunch in the shades? Next time. It's too early now.
The ruins of the Minoan Zakros Palace.
	Exploring the site.
Feeling the time.
	Turtle queens and kings.
Valley of the Dead.
	Zakros Gorge.
Too hot to walk...
	Just before sunset.
A small cave near Zakros.
	Hiona beach next to Palekastro.
The north end of Hiona beach with the Table mountain.
	Kouremenos beach on the other side of the Table mountain.
A surfers' paradise.
	The northern part of Kouremenos.
Vai - right before the big crowds arrive.
	Spectacular rock formations at Vai.
Palm trees of Vai.
	Really big!
Bigger than two daddies on end!
	Some people are good at posing, some are not...
Half an hour at the beach of Vai.
	Secret beach at Vai, over the hill.
Very impressive!
	View from the top at Vai.
Itanos - central beach.
	Ruins to explore!!!
Spectacular?
	Getting closer.
Secret beach at Itanos,
	With some palm trees without crowds.
View towards Vai from Itanos.
	At the ruins of Itanos.
What room was it?
	Let's get there.
Another hidden beach at Itanos.
	Central beach of Itanos from the south.
The hidden beach from the road above it.
	Two bays of Itanos.
The east coast of Crete.
	At the north-east end of the island,
where two seas meet.
	Flowers of Palekastro.
Kato Zakros - can't go home without trying a shady tavern here!
	Afternoon at Amatu of Xerokambos. High enough?
Landing on the water,
	after a flight like this!
Having fun.
	What shall I do now?
Let's play with the sand first.
	Do you like my skin?
I can make it better!
	Mum and Dad surely like it!
Do you like my castle?
	It has balls on its walls!
Last day at Xerokambos. Why does time fly so fast?
	Let's get some breakfast, then go to the beach!
Dog on a mattress?
	A nice slide.
Mum, it's your turn now!
	Getting closer to Kavali Islands.
Look how deep the water is here!
	Nice water to walk in.
Building the last sand castle.
	The bay is mine!
Shall I have two towers?
	How can I protect my castle from the waves?
Just get some rocks!
	Is it strong enough now?
Let's put something at the top.
	What??? It's already evening and I have to get out of the water???
No way!
	If you want to forget about your aching heart, just get something to eat.
At Liviko View.
	View from our balcony on our last morning at Xerokambos.
View to the right.
	View to the left.
View to the front.
	Leaving Xerokambos...
Tears for Xerokambos...
	Enjoying Sitia.
On Sitia Beach.
	Towards Mohlos.
A closer view of Mohlos, the nice fishing village.
	Mohlos Island.
Taverns at Mohlos.
	Agios Nikolaos - Lake Voulismeni.
Nice little bridge over Lake Voulismeni.
	Around Lake Voulismeni.
Around Lake Voulismeni.
	Around Lake Voulismeni.
South corner of the lake. .
	Palace of Knossos.
Do you feel the old times?
	At a big hole.
Exploring the site.
	Time to go home...
Crete, we'll come back soon!!!

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