We were quite late exploring the Greek Islands but very quickly fell in love with everything about them & have subsequently visited a number. Early trips included Cefalonia, Halkidiki & Skiathos. These were very much family-orientated trips, where the photographic record was more of family time than the environment.
The first island where I was more serious about capturing the place rather than the family was Crete and specifically the area around Elounda ( as many will know, this is one of the largest Greek Islands, so covering it all in one trip would be nigh impossible, unless you were there for months!) As has become the norm for most of our trips, this one was a mix of relaxing by the pool and visiting the local areas. We had great day out on a Jeep Safari with an organisation run by ex-pat Brits. Completely irreverent day with great banter between the drivers of the various vehicles but also, some "off the beaten track" sight-seeing, and where else would you have lunch but at "Zorbas" - does every Greek resort have one?
Another memorable experience was our visit to Spinalonga. For the who haven't heard of it, this island in Elounda bay was, initially Crete and latterly the mainland's Leper Colony in the early 20th Century until a cure was found in the 50's. It's story is told in Victoria Hislop's book " The Island" which Val read some months before we went & then handed over to me. Not the style of literature you'll often find on my bed-side table but I was quickly engrossed. The culture at the time was quite brutal, in that as soon as someone displayed symptoms, they were whisked off & deposited on the island, in most cases, never to leave. Reading the book before hand brought a real sense of experience & feeling to the visit so, if you ever plan to visit the Elounda area of Crete a) the trip is a must (but go early as it gets REALLY busy in high season) and b) read the book first.
What view to wake up to - from our Terrace in Elounda
Early start here - this was taken around 5.30 in the morning Elounda Bay
Beautiful Golden Hour liEht on the "Super Yacht" moored in elounda Bay
Colourful rocks in Elounda bay
Interesting see defences - concrete "Sandcastles"
Elounda Bay, with small communities almost clinging to the foothills
Still plenty of water -sports!
Elounda Town - narrow roads, much traffic!
Tavernas everywhere in Elounda
Narrow streets, stepping down to the shore
Elounda Bay
Classic Greek fishing boats
Spinalonga, taken from the shore in Elounda Bay
And tonight's menu is.......
Idyllic taverna location on Elounda Bay
Just the right shady spot for my mid day nap!
High in the hills on the jeep safari with stunning vistas of coves along the coast
Stunning panoramas from the hills in Crete
You don't have to go far to find a church anywhere in Greece
Yes, that is a goat up a tree - apparently quite common here!
Such at Zorbas
High plains surrounded by the hills. The trees on the valley floor are probably Olives as they're everywhere on the island - sees everyone's an olive farmer
Hills & plains in Crete
Inside a typical church on Crete
Craftsman at work on Crete
Leaving Elounda, destination - Spinalonga!
Was the fortified look intentional to deter visitors? I think so
Last view of mainland Crete as the ferry rounds the headland to dock in Spinalonga.
Main Street Spinalonga
Spinalonga Restoration
Spinalonga stonework
Spinalonga- colourful doors
In need of a re-paint
The view up to the hospital - spinalonga
Main Street, Spinalonga
Forbidden lands, from Spinalonga
Sadly, the wall simply goes around the island
Graveyard on Spinalonga
Crete, from the hospital
Agios Nikolas, inland water way
Agio Nikolas
Agios Nikolas - always somewhere for the washing!
