highly virulent: Greece Part 1

Hey hey. I'm back from holidays from Gouves, Crete!! It had been enjoyable for me :) Didn't do much... just a lot of relaxing and reading chick lit. AHHhhh...... It was really really hot and I personally wouldn't suggest sitting out in the sun for too long. Even for a tan.... I mean even I get a little sunburn thus black skin... shish.

Anyways, as usual I will bombard you guys with photos and photos and a bit of description whenever appropriate.

This is a holiday package booked via Thomsons online. It was £600 + per person for the week. Is it worth it? I think it is. It was well organised in general. Of course, extra excursions and events booked separately through them will require more money.

Departed from Glasgow Airport to Heraklion Airport at 1630 on Tuesday and arrived around midnight in Crete.

Self shot at the airport

Heheh

Outfit for departure

First time in Thomson's plane

My afternoon tea, well by then dinner, with small jar clotted cream and jam *adorable*

Random picture of clouds but I think I was actually aiming for the snow-capped mountains in the background

By the time I get through passport control ( I happened to be the only non EU in the flight and had to be stamped), got our luggages, went on coach transfer (which takes 20-25 mins to the hotel), it was about 0100 plus when we got the hotel - The Island Hotel. It looks super duper lush and posh!!

Then, we were showed to our respective rooms. In the beginning, I was getting worried I would be getting lost every time I try to find my room. The hotel is a little like a labyrinthe which rooms spread throughout. Our room is quite far out from the reception area and had to go through numerous turns and corners. But it's surprising how easily we found our way about it after a day or so. We also had to wait for our luggages to arrive from the bellboy. Should have just taken the luggages with us right enough, plus it wasn't heavy to begin with.

Picture of front entrance upon arrival - can't really see the name of the hotel.

Comfy bed

Chaise lounge and the door to the outside sort-of balcony with some patio furniture (not pictured)

TV and table with tea making facilities and a complimentary bottle of water everyday...

Main entrance and airconditioning vent above

Mirror and wardrobe. Not seen but behind the mirror is a safe box and also a small fridge.

Bathroom - sink and mirror and towels

Shower and bath and toilet

Went to sleep not long after awaiting the next few hours for breakfast :)

Day 1

The package that we got was a half board, so basically breakfast and dinner is included. Both buffets but oh so good. Although by the end of 7 days, we got sick with the selection of breakfast....

English breakfast of cinnamon french toast, bacon, onion rings, beans, soft boiled egg and gouda cheese.

The Kitchen

You can sit inside or sit outside

The buffet area

After breakfast, we walked around the place before attending the reception by Thomson.

The lighthouse

The shop

The bathhouse - for spas, massages etc

The games room

Main pool area

Outfit of the day

Table tennis table

The Tavernia - entrance

The inside

The relaxing pool

Random picture of a hibiscus

Reception area

The main area. At the back, a bar - Veranda

The entrance from the main reception area to the outside

Veranda bar - library at the back

Overlooking the sea and beach

View outside the main reception area and the outside of the Veranda

Well, we then went to the reception by Thomsons. Didn't get any pictures while there. Was telling about excursions and things we can do while on vacation but obviously will need paid furthermore...

We decided to visit the beach first. It was freaking scorching hot and the beach of full of people. Found a quieter place to sit under the sun which I'm sure after that got a little bit of sunburn... :o

The beach

Got sick of the beach after an hour or so. Felt peckish and decided for a little walk cum find place to eat

The Yachting - bar in front of the beach belonging to the hotel

More of the beach

Further along the beach, supermarkets and restaurants

Spotted a real life parrot in a restaurant or taverna (at least I think that's what it meant)

The Island - we frequent it quite a bit

Another beach area

So we decided to eat lunch at the Island on our first day. Cocktail menu above

We chose to sit outside with a seaview

Another view of the taverna

Random pic of guy scuba diving

Our table

My pina colada - my first. It was nice :) and strongly tasted of coconut rum

Wasn't very hungry so shared a club sandwich between us

And for some reason, when we were paying, they not only give a plate of fruits (sorry, no photos - it's watermelon and honeydew), they also give you a complimentary shot of vodka.... This has to be the first time. Didn't take that shot. Smelt really strong and I felt nauseous just smelling it. So I gave it a miss.

After lunch, we went back to the hotel for a little more tour and rest. There are these hammocks lying about throughout the hotel. For some reason, I do not have a picture of the hammocks but...... I have a panaramic view taken from my tablet of the end of a hammock and our feet....

Time for dinner!! Got showered and dressed and voila!

Evening ensemble - a midi dress

Back to the Kitchen but sitting on the balcony instead

View from where I'm sitting

First day dinner

Gyros with pita - they have this show station where they make different stuffs on the spot. They have an omelette and crepe station in the morning as well

Dessert

Cat! There is a amazingly high amount of cats in Greece

Camwhore after dinner

Pictures of relaxing pool when there's no one..

Obviously more of me

Our room!

There are also big cacti all over the hotel

Tennis and basketball and netball court

Mini pool on the side of the main pool - hydromassage pool. There's a button to press and there's jets of water. So cooolll

Georgeous picture of the main pool in the evening

View overseeing the beach from a part of the main pool

Dusky sunset :) My dream to watch sunset with my boyfriend finally fulfilled

Some new built houses opposite the beach for sale... looks good.

Bus stop opposite our hotel

Far view of our hotel

Another taverna down the other side of the road along the hotel

Eventually got tired of walking and returned back to room to sleep and watch foreign TV

Day 2

Woke up early-ish for breakfast! First few days a bit kiasu.... as the week goes on, we woke up later and later lol. There was a trend.

Outfit of the day

After breakkie, went to the main pool for some lying about

I booked in for a facial the day before. Felt going a bit crazy on holiday lol. Was gonna get a massage as well but didn't get one in the end.... now I fell my muscles sore all over. :( Regretted.

Me after chocolate moisturising facial. Felt refreshed but does my face look any cleaner? Maybe... I wasn't sure. Since departed for Greece, this annoying spot developed on my forehead which will be evident in most of my photos. A.N.N.O.Y.I..N.G.

The Stone - situated right next to the pool

Just for a little drink. Mr Dino's milkshake and my tequila sunrise. Yummy scrummmyyy

Boasting my panoramic view of the main pool from where we were sitting

There were quite a few activities held at the hotel for their guests eg morning taichi + yoga combi exercise, night entertainment, etc. One of them was a cocktail making class held at Tholos Bar near the main pool as well. It was really short and erm did learn a little. The best part of it is that we get a free drink lol...

Barman preparing the stuffs

Cocktail of the day - Cuba Libre. Rum, lemon juice and coke. And icy cold lol

Then lunchtime!! This time we went to another nearby taverna in front of the hotel - Medusa. It's a clean with nice, friendly staff. It was pretty empty when we were there.

Pretty standard Greekish colours

Surely not had enough of me yet... :D

Milkshakes! Vanilla one is mine

Souvlakis. Pretty much skewered grilled meat. One is chicken and one is pork. They are wrapped in pita bread and with yum yum chips with some salad.

Of course, we quickly ran out of ideas of what to do. Plus, Mr Dino was getting quite burnt and red.... so staying a bit away from the sun was a good idea.

Oh no!! How did he get behind the gate? Because it was fake!! You just walk around it.

Lame. I know.

Comfy sofas in the Veranda

Library collection. Have I shown a picture of this? Well, no harm showing it again... There's a room for luggage storage behind the bookshelves. The door right in the middle there

Found some interesting chick lits to read on vacation. Finished a book. Was a few chapters to finished another and there was a book that disappeared :( No idea what happened to it.
And later, as usual, dinner time.