We arrive late on the 9th Sep so decided to spend one night near the airport before traveling into our first accommodation, The Stonehouse. The room was cheap and it was at the Ideal Café. We consumed very large pizzas for tea which were delicious & a few drinks before hitting bed and excited for the next day, the true start of our holiday.

We love the West, the White Mountains but we are sure that the East will not disappoint us, as Crete has yet to.

Up and out bright and early to start our tour of Eastern Crete. We have visited Crete twice before and I have not yet made it to Plaka to visit Spinalonga so o

n route we go to Plaka to check Ferry times to visit the island early in the morning before the crowds descend. (Well that was the plan, grrrr didn’t turn out that way)

I was very excited to see Plaka and Agios Nikolaos after reading the book, The Island, several times and then starting the Crete Saga books all based on Crete and starts from the island, Spinalonga. I have read for years now about the villages and other areas in Crete the books talk about and seeing with my own eyes brought the stories even more to life.

The road over the hill down into Plaka gives a fabulous view of Spinalonga, a tear I remember came into my eye!

By 10:15 we were in Plaka and not only parked but swimming in the sea at the small pebble beach with Spinalonga so very close. Our first dip of our Cretan holiday