On our first sunny day in Heraklion, we headed to Matala Beach. There are so many beaches to choose from, but we chose Matala for its crescent shaped beach and calm waters in a protected bay. During the high season, this is a very popular beach that gets quite crowded. We didn’t know it at the time, but it is also famous for the carved caves on the far-right side of beach where famous bands like Joni Mitchel, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, etc. performed in the 1970s.
Apart from a lone fisherman who had seated himself on the beach, we had most of the beach to ourselves. Most of the restaurants and bars were closed for the winter. There were a few bars closer to the caves that were open with a few people hanging out.
We picnicked on the beach with our usual sandwich, fruit and chips combination. After lunch, the children frolicked in the water and built a reservoir for a little plastic boat that EY found in our Airbnb. Then they continued their valiant quest to create a sand fortification that can withstand the relentless force of the ocean. No endeavor is deemed too difficult for children with a grand idea
We spent some time watching the fisherman successfully catch fish using a big ball of bread bait on a line with ten or more hooks poking out. At one point, he asked Leo if he would be happy to go to the small shop to buy him some cigarette paper. Ofcourse, Leo was happy to oblige.
I laid down on the sand, closed my eyes for a moment and bathed in the warm sun.
On the drive home, the windshield was a living Monet painting. The ephemeral light-infused pastel colors in the sky contrasted with the heavier shadows below.
I’ve never seen such cool fishing!🎣