Sitia 2 November

We arrived here last night in the dark, so didn't really know what we were overlooking until we woke up today. Simon's Apartments (run by Vassili, not Simon) are about 1/2 mile outside Sitia overlooking the bay.
We had followed a twisty road along the south coast where we turned north at Makrigialos....having already had to stop and snooze in the car, exhausted after our museum tour. Anyway, the  apartment is very comfortable with a washing machine AND central heating should either be needed! We did sneak the heating on for a short while last night to take the chill off as it had an 'end of summer' feel to it.
We went off to look at this North Eastern corner of Crete, which we know absolutely nothing about. Touplou Monastery was our first stop, which has an important place in the history of Crete. The monks here have harboured many a brave local in the various wars in the past. The monastery owns a very large area and apparently have an important collection of art and icons. Of course, by the time we had arrived, they had closed for the day, but we had a look around the grounds and the whole place had a lovely feel to it. There were also many birds in the vicinity which is a treat. Whether this is because it is surrounded by military land, or because shooting is banned on the monastery land we don't know but it was very refreshing to see so many. It is one of the places where Eleanor's Falcons breed, and sure enough, as we were looking at some palm trees, one streaked past us astonishingly fast.
At the end of the headland lies Itanos, yet another Minoan settlement. This one has hardly been excavated so we took some time walking and trying to decipher what may have happened, and where. Beyond, the land is owned by the military where no photos are allowed but no one came to tell us off at Itanos. We stopped at a Banana stall where a delightful man imparted all sorts of information about the indigenous palm trees and the other species at Vai, where we were headed. Vai beach looks familiar as that is where the ' Bounty' ads were filmed. Only of interest for anyone over 40! It is a beautiful beach, with crystal clear waters surrounded by 100s of Palm trees unlike anywhere else the island. We could have swum, but somehow, just couldn't quite get in as it was pretty windy.
We then followed the coast south to Palekastro, a small resort on the east coast. A taverna on the beach had a fridge full of fresh fish and a very hospitable family running  it, so we were treated to the most delicious sea bass cooked on an open fire.
Supper later in Sitia was both unnecessary and not very good, except for the dessert which was yogurt with some yummy honeyed fruit, we could not identify, sliced on top. We discovered that it was in fact, courgettes sliced and pickled in honey and ginger! We have since had sliced carrots, kumquats and various other fruit, and veg served like this, all delicious.