First Impressions of Crete

My first full day in Crete, 

my most excellent host, John, 

took me on a tour of Sita Geopark. 

We headed off east, 

over the limestone mountains . . .

. . . to Amatos Beach (Παραλία Αμάτου) 

for my first dip in the Aegean.

(Looking back the way we came.)

Then we drove north along the coast

to Kato Zakros (Κάτω Ζάκρος)

(a Minoan cultural center in 1900 BC)

where we had lunch in the street 

(I had wine and rabbit stew with chips!).

Then we continued north, 

past Chochlakies (Χοχλακιές), 

Palaikastro (Παλαίκαστρο), 

and the Toplou Monastery (Μονή Τοπλού)

to Vai Beach (Παραλία Βάι), 

the largest natural palm forest in Europe

where we hiked down the gully to the sea.

Continuing our loop, we headed west, 

toward the town of Sitia . . .

. . . walked along the waterfront 

and stopped for a proper dinner 

of tea and loukoumades (Λουκουμάδες), 

hot fried donuts drizzled in Sitia honey.

And thus I was welcomed to the island.