Crete Part 2 - Spinalonga and Elounda town

Our holiday underway and drifting into the slower pace of the Mediterranean, we came across the private boat tours offered via our hotel. We decided to take a two hour cruise later that day around the bay and the island of Spinalonga. Skipper Giannis tailors the trip to suit his clients and charges by the hour so you can go as a couple or a small group and decide how you want your trip to be. 

We met Giannis down at the jetty at the hotel beach. We were welcomed on board the 45ft motor yacht and set off on our journey towards Elounda town. We skirted past the town and back around the far side of the bay towards Spinalonga. There were a couple of larger boats docked there with tourists visiting the island, which has a long history dating back centuries and once served as a fortress occupied by the Venetians and Ottomans. In the early 20th century the island became a leper colony. It is now unoccupied apart from the visitors it gets on a daily basis. 

We did not stop there but instead sailed around the island getting some good views of the old fort. As we came back into the bay, the wind calmed and we anchored in some relatively shallow waters for a swim and some drinks and fruit offered as part of our trip.

We casually cruised back towards the mooring past the village of Plaka, Blue Palace and the Domes of Elounda hotels and had a late lunch at the beach bar.

What started as a slightly overcast windy day morphed into a beautiful sunny afternoon - perfect for being on the water followed by a refreshing glass of wine and a Greek salad on dry land.

Dinner that night was at the other restaurant at our hotel the Samurai Sushi Bar. They employ a qualified Japanese sushi chef and the food was delicious. It's not all sushi but a mixture of Asian foods which should appeal to all tastes. The restaurant staff were very welcoming and helpful with choices of dishes and wines. It's also so lovely to watch the changing light of evening over the bay. We loved it and chose to eat there again on our last night.

After breakfast on Day 3, we caught the local bus into Alounda town to see what was on offer there. It's a small fishing town with restaurants, souvenir and artisan shops and little beaches - not particularly bustling but neither overly quiet. 

We found a place to have lunch of the traditional kleftico and afterwards walked along the waterfront past many more places to eat and drink and taking in the beautiful view before heading back to the hotel.


As we'd had a substantial lunch we passed on dinner and went for drinks instead, which worked out quiet well as there was a tasting of olives, and other Cretan products in the bar that night.

So far the week was everything we wanted and more. The pace of life here is something to aspire to not to mention good company, gorgeous weather, tasty food and views to die for.

Next up .. Crete Part 3 - Plaka