Balos

My friends and I made a trip to the west coast of Crete, and after a wonderful hike arrived at this gorgeous scene. The beach of Balos. This photograph really doesn't do it justice. The water was so vibrantly blue and the landscape and mountains were stunning as well. Additionally, there were quite a few other islands scattered along the coast. A very interesting topography.

Akti Zeus

Akti Zeus...an abandoned hotel in Ammoudara. It was pretty creepy. It's located on the outskirts of the hotel zone, near a power plant. Nearly everything was left inside, beds, phones, furniture, dishes, stocked closets with lightbulbs, etc. The floors are covered with dust, footprints clearly visible. Oh, and I can't forget the creepiest part...the clock in the lobby still works, it's still running and ticking. Eeek!

Don't worry, I went with a group of people. I would not go here alone, at times I felt like I was in a horror film! Hah!

The exterior.

Some parts of the hotel looked like a crime scene...literally.

One of the rooms.

The property has no locks, so people come and go as they please.

An interesting tree

Ending with the creepiest image...the headless and appendage-less mannequin in the lobby. I didn't pose him either, he was set up just like that.

Matala - the hippie caves

Matala is a famous beach on the south shore of Crete. Back in the 1960s hippies would come here and live in the caves all summer long. I don't think they ever completely left, there were definitely some wandering around during our visit.

It is believed that the caves were originally carved and used as grave sites.

Notice "welcome" spelled with two L's  :)

Playing on the beach!

Lukas scaled the rock face

My absolute favorite image of the day. Possibly one of my favorites I've ever taken (even if I was creepin' a little, I don't know her). It's tranquil and peaceful reading a book at the water's edge as the sun sets  :)

It was a beautiful place...

We actually took a hike (a rather steep one) to another beach, a red beach. I didn't bring my camera, anticipating a rough hike. When we arrived I wished that I had brought it--the landscape was spectacular.

Festos, or in Greek, Φαιστός

A visit to the famous ancient city of Festos, now ancient ruins. The city was self-sufficient, including its own currency and palace for worshipping. 

Lukas and Phil taking photos of the landscape

Walking onto the premises. On the left, prickly pears. And straight ahead, the ruins of Festos. The covered area is being restored.

  It's crazy to think that people used to walk right here so long ago -- 4000 BC!

This one is my favorite, part of the palace.

This is a charm I bought, it's the disc of Festos. Very Cretan. The original was found in the palace, it's fired clay from the Minoan Bronze Age. To this day, it cannot be interpreted by anyone, and remains quite the archaeological mystery. You can read more about it here: http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_9.htm, or on Wikipedia, of course :)

Bye bye,  Φαιστός.

Monastery in Southern Crete

On Saturday my friends and I rented a car and headed to the southern coast of Crete! Despite my tendency towards car sickness, the drive through the country was beautiful. We stopped at a monastery on the way...and it turned out to be like a little town in and of itself! This was my first time being at one, so maybe they're all that way? Anyway, here are some of the images I captured there :)

This looks so ancient to me.

The candles for lighting when saying a prayer for someone in the Greek Orthodox church

 Greece!

 I liked this climbing vine

Love the lens flare!

Shadow of a palm tree on the cement

The Bell Tower

Crete

Here are some images of my new home land!

Downtown Heraklion, this is St. Mark's Cathedral.

St. Mark's from a different angle

Inside the cathedral - so elaborate

Love this one

My favorite.

The Samaria Gorge...the longest gorge in Europe

Holly and I at the bottom of the gorge...don't know if I can take photo credit for this one, since it's self-timer. :)

Another view from the gorge...what a hike!

I think this image captures how my mind's eye sees Greece  :)

Santorini

Beautiful Santorini! Easily Top 5 on my 'Favorite Places I've Ever Been' list. Bestie, Holly, came to visit me, and we went to Santorini together, we had a blast :) I love you, Hosh!

This was one of our first views after we were picked up from the airport. Gorgeous.

The entrance to our incredible resort, Vedema.

Our resort had a private black sand beach. Oh, Vedema.

Needless to say, we felt like celebs.

(Did I mention Angelina Jolie recently stayed at Vedema?)

The blue dome-topped white stucco buildings signify religious structures.

I love this one. It's...rustic. :)

Santorini is famous for its steep cliffs. It used to be that the only way you could get up from the dock (sea level) was to ride a donkey! Even though they use vans/buses now, I liked seeing this guy with his caravan of donkeys.

Lots of bells associated with the churches.

One of my favorite images of the trip

Unique to Santorini

Ia is known for its famous sunsets.

This is Ia! White stucco dwellings wedged into the cliff side :)

And here is Ia at night.

Gorgeous sunset on the ferry back to Crete. I think this image is humorous, look at everyone else capturing the same moment. Technology. Haha.

A bit out of order, but to close, this is Holly and I upon disembarking the plane. We were PUMPED.

:D