Final Days in Greece

As Manny posted, we have enjoyed a wonderful few days with Desi and Tim back in Hersonisos at Sunrise Apartments.  The highlight and most memorable aspect would have to be the absurd amount of raki on offer and that we consumed.  The village had transformed in the week we were away - we returned to find it officially open for the tourist season with so many more shops and restaraunts scouting for business.  Obviously there had been some serious raki making done over the winter because we were plied with the stuff.  Not only in shot glasses at every shop we ventured into, but by the plastic bottle load wherever we spent money.  We did our utmost to drink as much as possible before we left, but I'm sure there will be some more left behind.

We took a drive to the ancient ruins of Knossos with Desi and Tim who were particularly keen to go.  It was just us and about 300 other tourists there when we arrived!  Interesting though - dating back 6,000 years.  We also took another drive to Elounda, the town from which we catch a boat to Spinalonga.  We enjoyed a lovely lunch and a leisurely drive back through the mountains. 

Desi, Manny, Bapou and I spent much of the next day in Agios Nikolaus, and then made a return trip to Kritsa so Desi could see where her grandfather was born (she was last there with her mum, Aunty Kath in 1979 when it was just a dirt track). Of course we stopped in at Agiros apartments, much to the delight of the owner.  We'd bought half a kilo of fresh halva (there is truly nothing like the fresh stuff - amazing contrast to what you buy in packets at the supermarket) at a deli in Agios Nikolaus, so we happily brought it along to enjoy with Agiros for morning tea.  She made a pot of delicious mountain tea and also shared some bauxumaria and some sweet nut cake she had just made.  Oh... delicious!  It was another one of those special moments - feeling truly at home there, and loving showing the town and our friend, to Desi.

Back at Koutoulourfari, Yianni and Maria had cooked up a storm for a late lunch - our final meal together before Desi, Tim and I departed last night.  Meatballs, potatoes cooked in tomatoes, green and greek salads, dakos (dried local bread with chopped tomatoes, feta and oil), and carbonara (not so greek but very moorish) all washed down with local red wine and of course some raki to finish.  

Lunch finished around 5pm and once the children were in bed, Desi, Tim, Manny and I decided to venture out for something light to eat - just a bowl of soup we said... of course it wasn't to be.  After we had a quick drink at a new bar, we were enticed to Emannuels Taverna with its original oven from the house that was once there.  We were showed the trays of slow roasted lamb and fresh fish, and eyed the spit with chickens and pork.  Of course, we ordered a meal of each to share, which arrived on platters rather than plates.  We walked slowly home, foolishly deciding to stop at the Sunrise Bar for more drinks, finally home by midnight, stuffed as a goog and knowing there would be a headache in the morning...

And so here I am back in London, pining for Greece and its fresh food, its friendly people and our family.  Doing my first international 2 day training event in London tomorrow - wish me luck!

Sue x