Pitsidia adventure

Several months ago I booked a long weekend away in Crete (April 4-8) to visit my long lost friend Hanne. Finally the weekend arrived and now our fun has come and gone. Cat came with me and we had a wonderful time. It is one of the many benefits of living in this part of the world that one can hop on a relatively cheap flight and go somewhere in Europe to experience a vastly different culture within just a few hours!

Central Crete showing location of Pitsidia (red square)

Hanne and Werner moved to Pitsidia (3 km inland from Matala) about 4 years ago and I've been threatening to visit them ever since. They are truly nestled into this village and seem to know just about everyone we pass on the street, working in the shops, restaurants and even hotels - mainly local Cretans but a few expats mixed in as well. I found it so fun and inspiring to be on the periphery of the good-natured banter that these two people share with everyone that crosses their paths. 

Hanne and me

Hanne has a big personality to match her exotic looks and I love her incredibly happy smile. They are great animal lovers (they used to look after Bentley in Norway when we went away for vacation) and have a lovely stone house right in the middle of the village surrounded by goats, chickens, sheep, dogs and plenty of cats. We fit a lot into our handful of days there and it was so wonderful. The weather was warm but not hot (~20-23 C/ 70-75 F) and we had one morning of rain, which was much appreciated by the locals.

A late afternoon lunch on the back patio

Having an afternoon coffee in Matala

Midday refreshments in Kalimaki

Riding horses in Kalimaki

At the "Mystical Viewpoint" with amazing color and light across the land and sea

Cat, Hanne, Werner and me at Villa Ariadne

It was hard and sad to leave, but we vowed to come back and bring our families and more friends next time. Cat and I are just really grateful that our families were able to help make this happen - it is not so easy to have an adventure like this!