Day 10

It was a tough start. No unlimited eggs, no orange juice, no big breakfast. We were back to reality! It was actually refreshing not eating food 24/7, and I’m sure our bodies were enjoying the break too. The plan for today was to jump on the typical tourist train and visit the two most famous beaches in Crete – and two of the most popular – Elefonissi Beach and Balos Bay.

Off we went in our eco-friendly, lacking any real horsepower Toyota Yaris and headed off to Elefonissi, down in the southern coast of the Island and around 90minutes away. With a long journey ahead of us, we stopped to refuel at a local Cretan bakery…support local. Although it was 9am, the pizza looked unreal and we just had to get a slice each for breakfast. The smiles on our faces shattered as we discovered there was ham chopped up inside it…raging. After another stop, we had to settle for a spinach and cheese pie. It’s just not the same, and actually probably not even healthier!

Following the route down South, it was an amazing journey of S bends around the mountains. Our convoy of huge tourist buses and white rental cars stretched back as far as you could see and I just knew this beach would be busy today. As Anna took naps in between writing the blog in the car, we finally arrived and walked through the buses to the beach.

Elafonissi beach is known for its pink sand created by pigmented microorganisms living in the seaweed. It’s not bright bright pink but you can definitely see a pink hue along the shoreline, and it’s definitely very unique. The water was so clear, the rest of the sand so white and sandy – Yes I know sandy isn’t the best word to describe sand but it was just sand, no pebbles, no stones, just your typical dreamlike beachy sand.

Although most of the shores were lined with sun loungers and umbrellas, we opted for a quiet spot on the sand and lay on our towels. Not paying €7 fora sun lounger pfft. Although it was over 38 degrees today, we had acclimatised as locals now and were topping up our tans like pros.

It was a day of sunbathing until you got too hot and then waded into the shallow water to float for a bit, before sunbathing again. Focaccia and Radler for lunch, we actually made the decision to stay on here and leave Balos Bay for another day. It was another 90minute drive away anyway.

The flocks of tourists continued to come and we enjoyed listening to our ‘neighbours’ and their stories. One American girl caked herself in suncream after moaning all day. She actually was as white as a ghost. We were also treated to a wedding photoshoot, or rather a bride walking about with I assume her husband, following behind and taking pictures on his phone. Fair play to them for doing it in that heat and in front of half of Crete it would seem.

Time to go. After a quick shower to wash the saltwater off us, which some weirdo girl kept standing with everyone in the showers, we were off and back to Chania along the winding mountain roads. We did stop however for a gyros and some chips (what else), at a lovely little taverna on the road. We’re not sure how these places make any money at all as most of the time they are empty anyway, but we had ordered Gyros, Chips, 2 drinks and a bottle of water, with the owner giving us complimentary passionfruit Raki and Ice cream – all for €7 euro. We’re not complaining.

Showered and changed at home, I planned and booked activities for the next few days, Anna scrolled through her social media before we were ready for dinner. The old harbour boathouse was renovated into a restaurant and with a grand piano at the door, of course this is where we would be dining tonight. We sat outside and watched the sunset as we ordered pasta, pizza and a burger – Ok I guess our stomach’s are still living off our all inclusive package.

We almost ate all the food but I wasn’t allowed to finish the pizza for two reasons. Save it for breakfast/lunch tomorrow, and also to take the bad look off us. As people were tipping the waiters and pianist, Anna travelled off into the distance to find an ATM to get some paper money for us too. After a good 20 minutes of trying to find an ATM, asking for cash back at the restaurant, and then asking to split a large note into smaller notes, Anna returned and we were able to tip everyone for a great evening. I even had a chat to the pianist and we discussed the problems associated with older pianos and their shoddy sustain pedals. I just nodded away.

Quite an eventful day was rounded off with Anna throwing up all her wine before we fell asleep to the greek version of SWAT which was on TV tonight. She’ll feel fresh tomorrow.