Now you see it, now you don't...

Mirtos on the south coast of Lassithi was the destination for our last 'holiday' day before heading back to the UK.

After an hour or so, an odd cloud bank formed on the horizon and then rapidly made its way towards the coast.  Many people were taking photos of the spooky, hot sauna that enveloped us.  Here's mine, can you make out 3 boats not far from the shore!

This next shot is a couple of hours later when the murk had been blown away by a strong hot wind.

Our lunchtime waiter said that he'd never seen such a phenomenon so we count ourselves lucky to have witnessed it.

Holiday Postcard

Crete is such a big island we try to treat ourselves to at least one mini holiday per year and this time it was on the far south west to a place called Paleochora.  We choose our accommodation via Booking.Com and as we are well used to how basic Cretan rent rooms are for just €40 per night we were well satisfied.  Just wish I'd remembered to take my travel kettle as brewing tea in a tiny breki pan meant for Greek coffee took ages.

There is an iconic beach called Elafonsi that features on many postcards and went for a day trip by boat.  If we had taken a different boat we could have gone to Sougia, Aghia Roumeli, Loutro or Hora Sfakion. 

Elafonsi is nothing more than a sandbar but it creates a wonderful lagoon with shallow water that is ideal for children or a long romantic stroll.

 Its a bit like being at the Maldives,

If you ignore the thousands of other people who have arrived by boat, coach or car!!

Arriving or leaving Paleochora by boat provides a lovely view.

 At nighttime Paleochora is transformed as roads are closed and restaurants and bars use the roads for their tables and chairs, a really fabulous atmosphere.  Behind the seafront, the pedestrian lanes also became wall-to-wall restaurants but we always chose to eat facing the sea.

The next day we climbed up to the ruined Venetian castle for a different view, and then descended to the beach.

The drive home seemed very long so next time we will probably choose somewhere nearer.  We will stay at home and enjoy our own view today!