Crete - East of Sitia. Vai

We set out today to explore the area east of Sitia. This photo is looking back at the bay and the town of Sitia. We drove through olive groves and small villages and then up into high hills on switch back roads.

 

The hills are rocky and covered with low scrub. We saw sheep and goats grazing but didn't think there was much nourishment to be had. Then down into some small valleys with crops and vineyards and then turned off towards Vai beach and we were in the "famous" palm forest.

There were 3 huge tour busses there when we arrived, spewing their Greek passengers into the road to walk down to the beach. We turned around and drove back up the road to find a place to park. They didn't stay for long but were replaced regularly. Sunday must be bus tour day for Eastern Crete.

Vai is a lovely, secluded beach with just one restaurant (closed for the winter). Most of the bus passengers walked to the edge, some among the palms, and then back to the bus. We walked on the beach (2 people swimming) and then up to the start of a trail.

The rock formations here were fascinating, some shale like, some veins of white quartz, various colours.

Rick said he knocked a couple of things off his (non existent) bucket list today .... the first was seeing a vertical isocline fold and

the second was going to a nudist beach.

I walked the trail for a way and then sat and enjoyed the view while Rick continued down to the beach.

Goats on the opposite hill.

He waved from down there

and I waved from up here.