Sunday 9th November Sisi and Milatos

Anthi was full of good ideas as to where we could spend the day, so after a leisurely breakfast on our patio, we donned walking clothes (sounds more impressive than shorts and tee shirts!) and a rucksack and followed the path around the headland to the East. The village of Milatos is 6 kilometers away and it was a good walk mostly along a sandy track, with the sea dropping away to our left. 

The view back to Sisi on the walk to Milatos

We saw nobody at all except a few men fishing and by the time we had rounded,the headland we were quite relieved to see some sign of life at the edge of Milatos. It is an unspoilt village, with lovely clear water, the only drawback being that the beach is mostly stony. We found a small patch of sand, had a good swim in the shelter of the harbour, as it was quite rough outside the breakwater, and then relaxed in a taverna for a Sunday lunch of a Greek salad and calamari . Then 6ks walk back again, and we felt quite well exercised for a change!

And just to prove that there are still fish in the Mediterranean Sea, whilst we were having lunch a small fishing boat returned to harbour with this beauty aboard! Caught on a rod and line and it took him five minutes to land it!

We have noticed a strong smell of weed as we pass many scrubby hillsides, and this flower is where it comes from. We have no idea what it is called, but are sure it is perfectly innocuous? The flower is not dissimilar in appearance to Ragwort. 

We learned today that some of the best hashish in Europe used to be grown in the hills. Apparently there used to be plenty of 18 year old 'shepherds' with no sheep driving around in Porsches!  We were told that they aren't any more as they are all now locked up. For a decade or so the area was a police 'no go area' and when they finally did 'invade their space' the chief of police was kidnapped and held hostage in a cave!!

Sisi is absolutely charming, it has a village-y feel and we felt very at home. Considering how close to Malia it is geographically, it is a world apart, with a tiny enclosed harbour and creek, where we enjoyed watching a kingfisher. As most of the tavernas were shut we ate at the same one, on both nights. We have finally concluded that it is only necessary to order 1 portion between the 2 of us, that way the quantities are more manageable!

These geese were not keen on us walking around their harbour!

Known as - The two brothers of Sisi.

Whilst up at Touplou Monastery we had stocked up on some good mountain and sage teas. The best thing about being in self catering accommodation is that you can have one of these brews to round the day off. We had read that Sage wards off Alzheimer's but don't like it nearly as much, so only drink it occasionally, to help a bit, we hope.