End of term report :
First of all, we have had a lovely 2 week holiday in Plakias with George at Creta Mare.
We have had to wait 2 years for it ,so the return was all the more welcome.
We are delighted that we took the time and effort ( and leap of faith ) and returned to Crete .
Positives:
Jet 2 flights from Leeds Bradford with Jet 2 were excellent. Plane barely half full going out but 90 pc full coming back.
Car hire good and as usual accommodation at Creta Mare was first class.
Weather was very good for mid September.
Just one afternoon of rain but otherwise good.
But towards the end of the holiday there were 4 very hot days ( and nights !!) with temperatures up into the mid 30 deg.
Unusual for so late in the season ?
The general discipline of mask uses and social distancing was well observed and particularly so by the European visitors.
Made us feel more at ease outside and inside Tavernas in Plakias than it does sometimes in England.
The welcome that we received from Taverna owners was warm and genuine.
They are really pleased to see old faces back in town after so long away.
Changes :
And I record these without comment :
The road outside Creta Mare and On the Rocks has been doubled in width to allow proper off road parking.
A huge concrete retaining wall has been built at the back of the beach to support this.
I am told that this work is planned to continue next year all the way to the new harbour and even on towards Souda but who knows ?
A brand new huge Supermarket has been built on the spare land opposite the existing supermarket.
It fronts onto the sea front and attracts trade from those on the beach or those traveling along the beach road.
Building work on the sea front continues at pace.
Some good.
Some not so good.
From Antonios Place to the far end is now built up.
How long before the rest also goes this way ?
I remember this when it was all fields !!
When coaches came in for the day, the first Taverna offered free sun beds with a meal.
This has moved on.
Now, the Hotel has put tables into the wooded area and serves snacks and meals from there.
There are also tables on the sea front outside some other cafes and hotels also serving food and drinks.
The number of cars and visitors coming into town for the day has increased a lot.
Parking towards the far end is now at a premium .
The whole resort was very busy for the time of year.
Accommodation mostly full.
Tavernas full and booking essential at our favourite ones and at a reasonable time.
The owners say that the second half of 2021 is at least 10 pc busier then 2019.
Needless to say, they are delighted by this.
The mix of nationalities is very different this year.
Probably 80 pc European with the vast majority from Germany.
But also French, Dutch and Italian visitors there.
Very few Britain voices heard .
Eating out :
We used our usual Tavernas of Sirocco, Lysseus, Geo Ma and of course Sifies.
All we excellent but to our mind, Lysseus offers the best quality of food and the best choice of food.
And a special mention to a new addition :
On the newly made up road from Souda to Rodekio, a new small pop up Cantina Foinikias has opened.
Well worth a visit if passing that way.
Airports:
Going out with Jet 2 from Leeds Bradford was very good and well organised.
We had all the correct paperwork in place so no problems passing through here or in Iraklion.
But coming home was not as good.
All our required details were stored on our iPhones.
But there is no internet connection at the Jet 2 check in at Iraklion. Why is this so Jet 2 ?
Luckily help was available to sort things out but it took an awful lot of time and effort.
Our advice would be to take a photo shot of any forms or paperwork or store then on the iPhone where they can be easily accessed.
But best of all, take a paper copy !!
Arrival at Leeds Bradford was just the opposite.
Just have to show your passport
Every thing then comes up on their screen and no need to show any other documents.
We are now back home.
We have booked flights next year for early June and early September.
So we wait and see what next year will bring us.
