A cloudy start to our day with a gentle breeze, in many ways the kind of weather that we have at this time of year in England.
After breakfast, we headed back outside towards the sports Centre that we walked through yesterday evening looking for the three-par golf course. Unfortunately, it had been replaced with a set of beach volleyball courts and two paddleball courts, complete with floodlighting.
Slightly deflated we headed into the spa to find out if they had a Jacuzzi and indoor pool. Having seen a workout area in the sports complex I was surprised to see a fully equipped gym, complete with a very pretty circular swimming pool in the spa. I knew they had a steam room in a sauna and so I kept looking and eventually found them downstairs. While we were waiting for the receptionist to finish chatting with some other guests, we noticed that the little round windows placed quite high up on the walls were actually connected to the swimming pool that we’ve seen upstairs in the Gym area that probably accounted for the fact that they were only 30 cm wide as I guess the pressure on the glass would’ve been significantly greater if the windows were larger.
We regrouped in the reception area to refill the team on cappuccino before heading down to the seafront to explore one of the local landmarks a tiny little Cretean church complete with a blue roof which is quite a famous landmark in the village of Analipsi.
Continuing along the seafront we discovered another little church, similar in size to the first but with fewer windows and pebble-dashed walls. Both were very ornately decorated inside. From the style of artwork, I’m guessing they are both Orthodox Greek Catholic Churches.
As we strolled back towards our hotel the sun began to emerge from the clouds, driving the temperature upwards. And as we approached our beach bar I left the ladies ordering their drinks to use the loo. As I walked away they asked what I’d like, and I replied “peach tea”. Upon my return, I was amused to see them walking towards me clutching a drink in each hand. It seems that the five or six steps from the footpath to the beach bar had caused temporary amnesia and they’d forgotten to order my drink!
Now we’re sat on the beach relaxing on the comfortable loungers, listening to the waves lapping on the beach, blue skies overhead and a gentle breeze to offset some of the heat.
After lunch, we headed down to the beach for a paddle in the sea. (Our first swim) And then for our second swim, this time in the pool. I found the pool colder than the sea, but was encouraged to submerge with the assuring words “it’s warmer with your shoulders under the water”. Our swim didn’t last long due to the chilly wind, but it was another thing ticked off our holiday bucket list.
After a warming shower and a mug of coffee, we’d headed down to the pool bar to test the quality of their rattan double sofas. The remainder of the afternoon passed pretty quickly, aided by the excellent company and a cocktail or two. Credit where it’s due, the barman does make a mean cocktail. My fav so far is a Lyttos Mare, which pineapple juice, orange juice, a shot of vodka, a shot of blue curaçao and a dash of grenadine. Very tasty. I was also a big fan of a passion fruit martini (below). Both are very fruity and have a sweet edge which is dangerous as it masks the alcohol. (If you know, you know.)
For or evening meal we dined in the Wok & Chopsticks again, so yummy. That sushi… mmm. As you can see I get far too excited about it. Sadly, words really don’t do it justice. And before you think “raw fish – yuk!”. It doesn’t taste like at all.
After our food the usual routine kicked in, with an evening walk which ended on the beach watching the sunset. Due to the fact that the wind had retreated, it was a lovely evening.
Goodnight!
