Falassarna Beach, or How we spent our summer vacation

They certainly do beaches right here - they have umbrellas and palapas and other shade structures (critically important for some of us, especially as the solstice approaches - even with the most careful application of sunblock, this sun burns right through). They serve excellent food and beverage (my favorite?  Slushies made with vodka!) and play more-or-less pleasant music, although we have yet to hear anybody playing authentic greek tunes - it's mostly Euro-house music.

Our home for the day - the sea is incredibly blue (and pretty damn cold!). Most of the sea surrounding Crete is very calm and features nearly glass-like surfaces, but we had some nice 4' surf here. It makes sense there would be some wave action here - next stop heading west is Tunisia.

Here's a map of the west end of Crete, with a red star showing where the beach is (click on the map to make it bigger).  We are staying in Chania, near the middle of the map.  Took about an hour's drive through some really beautiful countryside. Olive groves for days - and the little towns were charming beyond description.

Jeff didn't burn!  SPF 50, full shade and careful timing regarding how much time in the water saved him.

And then the day took a completely different turn, as we were totally charmed by Missa - the Beach Bar's new puppy.  10 weeks old, a complete sweetie pie (as George described her), full of energy and friendly as could be. The girl LOVES her greek food - and got plenty of it from her new American friends. It was difficult to say goodbye to this little love - but she bounded off to joyfully seek out her new best friends as we departed.