On the coach down we were informed of our reps welcome meeting so we thought we’d attend and pick up some local info and we were not disappointed. A warning was issued regarding the local bus drivers who, if they so desire, finish early and drive past waiting passengers in a bid to get home. It is apparently not unheard of for tourists clutching a bus timetable to be stranded following a day out. We were also informed about the Russian hotel guests who, rather than using a towel to reserve a sun bed, actually carry the beds up to their room following a day lounging by the pool. This is not something that bothers me, in fact you have to merit them for their ingeniousness.

And so to diving. There are 2 local diving centres and a 3rd just a little further up the coast. Heading out for a wander we called into the 2 nearest and I picked one to dive with. They seemed friendly enough but, like all things Cretan, the dive centres are laid back which means only one dive a day. I arranged pickup from the hotel at midday the following day.

Back at the hotel, we chilled on the balcony for a while and were entertained by the other guests around the pool. Our room not only overlooks the vivid blue of the sea but also the rooftop swimming pool. Having been entertained by the all-inclusives we headed for a swim.

At 4 in the afternoon the temperatures are still hot and the hotels shale beach was busy. We set our towels on some rocks by the edge of the water and waded in, me with snorkel and fins, Sarah just geared for a swim.

It has been a long time since I snorkelled and it was fab. It’s amazing how deep you can get wearing fins. However, a snorkel is not an aqualung and at 7 or so metres down and you decide to breathe it makes for an interesting return to the surface. With my lesson learned I headed to the edge of the marker buoys where the depth was about 25 metres and the seabed was clearly visible. Fish were abundant, there was a sunken car and then, slowly gliding below, came a stingray. Well over half a metre with a tail even longer, she was beautifully elegant in the water and put us flailing humans to shame. I waved Sarah over so she could use the mask to watch but when I told her what I’d seen she swan in the other direction. Maybe I should have said look at the ray instead of stingray.

Following dinner we rounded the day off with a few local Mythos beers at another of the many Greek tavernas. Whilst enjoying the tranquil setting a young man with a bag appeared moving from from table to table placing tourist items to sell. We had an illuminated Spongebob Squarepants that changed colour, a flip flop key ring and a small toilet that when flushed revealed itself to be a cigarette lighter. He placed a card on the table and then moved back around the tables to see if he had made a sale. The card stated that he was a licensed street seller who was deaf and this was his way of making a few Euros. We did not buy but through hand signals he thanked us, collected his wares and, with a smile, moved on. What a lovely way to finish off a lovely day.