A very talkative lady in the site's cafe produces fruit smoothies for us as she tells us her life history - which is very interesting. We also get to see some family photographs, including her son who is a dentist. In the background, the cicadas are extremely loud.

 

Malia is also well known for growing a small variety of banana, and we are able to purchase a bunch from a roadside booth. Back at the hotel, George confirms that we will have a room for our last day (which has a very late transfer time), despite an earlier statement by another member of staff that the hotel is full that day.

 

This evening's five-course meal features rack of lamb.

Saturday, June 8th: this morning's breakfast includes two of yesterday's purchases - All Bran and bananas.

 

Our destination today is Archanes, which is located about 10 miles south of Iraklion. We use Highways 90 and 99 to get to Patsides, where we turn off for Archanes. We find a parking spot in the main street and, after walking a short distance, we find a modern coffee shop where we can see that there are toilets at the rear. Our choice for somewhere to have a drink proves to be excellent, as two ladies bring us fresh orange juice (J) and an Americano (D), and with their limited English do their best to advise us what to see in Archanes, and direct us to the Minoan Cemetery. Our total bill for our drinks is €5, and includes two small bottles of water to take away.

 

 

 

 

We explore this large village, which has many narrow streets, restored old houses, courtyards, squares, flowers, etc. Much of these are very attractive and interesting, particularly as there has been little attempt to create a tourist attraction. We find a church with good icons, and a small archealogical museum.

The Archaeological Collection in Archanes (above) was created in 1993 - its finds originate from excavations held in the archaeological site of Archanes, where one of the most important Minoan palatial complexes (1900-1450 BC) was discovered, and in the wider area of the contemporary settlement of Archanes. A bust in the museum's courtyard (right) is the archaeologist Yannis Sakellarakis,