Day seven:
We Arrive at villa Truli. We have been coming here for about eight years, to this beautiful secluded villa in the hills of Stalos.
Then late afternoon we all go karting where Thulani, Mlle Lapin and Sophie meet a few locals! Then everyone gets ready to race putting on not so glamorous hairnets before donning crash helmets! Joe and Thulani in the lead followed by dad and Rufus. Thulani and Joe win the race and Mile Lapin is very impressed.
Day nine: Lake Kournas
Located in western Crete, Lake Kournas is the only lake the island has to offer and is well worth a visit. It is easy to get to by car located between the towns of Chania and Rethymnon.
The lake is stunning; a sapphire blue teardrop with edges of turquoise, surrounded by vegetation. It's a hub for wildlife, especially turtles and it's not uncommon to see eagles circling high above.The lake itself has a shallow area closer to the shore, while the more adventurous can hire a pedalo and paddle to the center of the crater.
We had a great afternoon at the lake, there are a number of lovely tavernas overlooking the lake where you can have a lazy lunch or an ice cream and some freshly squeezed juice. I (Karen) took Thulani and Mlle Lapin to my favorite taverna overlooking the lake and read a book stopping occasionally to look at the scenery whilst sipping a refreshing drink. Thulani and Mlle Lapin cuddled and admired the view.
Alastair meanwhile took the children on a pedalo with slide and they had a fabulous time until they were all worn out. He then peddled them round the edge of the lake spotting the local wildlife. The lake is amazingly clear, they saw fish, eels and birds. In previous years we have seen terrapins too! The water level was the highest we have ever seen it due to heavy winter rains, maybe this was the reason for the lack of terrapins as there was hardly any beach.
Day ten:A relaxing day by the pool then in the evening, then out to a taverna for supper and fun at a mini adventure park.
Mimi and Thulani loved the carousel and also the bungy trampolining. Joe was impressed that Mimi and Thulani could do somersaults as he could only manage to bounce up and down.
Day eleven: This morning we got up early and went for a delicious breakfast in Chania after which we took a horse drawn carriage to the market. Our horse was called Rambo and he certainly lived up to his name.
The local market is fascinating with lots to see. I love to smell the fresh herb stalls and look at all the locally grown vegetables and the children loved looking at the chickens and baby rabbits, that was, until I explained they were not pets but for cooking! There were lots of bags of snails too but I just couldn’t persuade the children that they might make a tasty supper.
Chania Khania or Xania (I have seen it spelt many ways) lies on the north coast of west Crete and is the capital of Chania Prefecture(district) Chania Prefecture covers the western most end of Crete and features a combination of many beautiful beaches, small fertile plains, high mountains and deep gorges, such as the Samaria Gorge. Chania Prefecture is the greenest part of Crete island, as the range of White Mountains ensures the highest rainfall in Crete.
Chania is one of the oldest cities in Crete, with a rich and tumultuous history. it is a city which has preserved its traditional architecture and most of its monuments from Venetian and Turkish times. The Venetian harbour with its lighthouse and the old town in the centre have given Chania the reputation of the most picturesque city in Crete and has thousands of visitors each year.
The heart of Chania is still the old town, with its narrow, labyrinthine alleyways and listed buildings dating from different periods. Many of these buildings have been turned into small hotels, restaurants, shops or homes.
The old town stretches out parallel to the Venetian harbour, from Firkas Fortressand the maratime museum to the Gate of Sand to the east of the arsenals. This is the part of the town within the Venetian walls and includes Byzantine Chania, once enclosed within less extensive walls.
The Byzantine walls protected the fortress of Kastelli, the hill which was first inhabited in the Neolithic period.
We then left the old harbor area of Chania and headed for a pretty beach called (Kalives)Kalyves. There we met our holiday rep Ray, who we have known for a good few years for a drink and also to try out a nearby taverna he had mentioned to us. We had a delicious fish and chip lunch there overlooking the crystal clear sea while the children paddled in the river of icy cold water that had run down from the white mountains (still snow covered in parts) to the sea which was lovely and warm!.
Photos of Simpsons hotel called GK Beach (hmm would like to come back here with just hubby ).
Day twelve: We just relaxed by the pool today read and admired the view while the little ones swam and played.
Then we headed in to Chania for our supper at an Asian restaurant. We sat in a beautiful secret courtyard full of lush vegetation and heady scents of beautiful flowers. We ate satay chicken skewers with peanut sauce, peking duck pancakes, tempura prawns and chilli dip, and spicy prawn thai soup, ribs, noodles, rice and chicken in black bean sauce. After that we did a bit of window shopping as we were all so full after the wonderful feast.
At the restaurant Mimi was fascinated by the vegetable flowers.
Day fourteen: We travel home and again I forget to take photos as on the journey outward. Although I think it was probably wise as I would hate to have lost Thulani and Mlle Lapin along the way. Keeping tabs on five people and luggage was quite enough of a task as it was let alone two extras as well!
Then we headed in to Chania for our supper at an Asian restaurant. We sat in a beautiful secret courtyard full of lush vegetation and heady scents of beautiful flowers. We ate satay chicken skewers with peanut sauce, peking duck pancakes, tempura prawns and chilli dip, and spicy prawn thai soup, ribs, noodles, rice and chicken in black bean sauce. After that we did a bit of window shopping as we were all so full after the wonderful feast.
At the restaurant Mimi was fascinated by the vegetable flowers.
Day thirteen: Dad and Children go to a water park, whilst Mum, Thulani and Mlle Lapin prefer to stay at the villa and rest.
Day fourteen: We travel home and again I forget to take photos as on the journey outward. Although I think it was probably wise as I would hate to have lost Thulani and Mlle Lapin along the way. Keeping tabs on five people and luggage was quite enough of a task as it was let alone two extras as well!
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