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Greece: Vacation time, Day 13: Imeri Gramvousa, Balos lagoon

Time for annual leave has come and with Nada we decided to have a motorbike trip, starting in Slovenia and ending on Crete in Greece. On our way we decided to spend some time with our friends in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and in Greece.

Since we have to act like tourists sometimes we decided to take a 28 € boat tour called "Venetian trails and exotic beaches". In the morning we boarded the ferry that took us around Gramvousa Peninsula where we soon spotted the island and our first stopping point Imeri Gramvousa.

Imeri Gramvousa - Ήμερη Γραμβούσα, hosts the remains of a Venetian fort and the remains of buildings left behind by Cretan insurgents, who were compelled to live as pirates during the Greek War of Independence. Some of us visited the fort on a hill, some enjoyed the beach and blue water, but soon we all continued to our next destination.

We set off for Balos Lagoon, famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery and we stayed there for a couple of hours. In the afternoon the ship took us back to our starting port and from there we slowly returned back to our hostel in Chania.

Previous days of our vacation: Day 12, Day 11, Day 10, Day 9, Day 8, Day 7, Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1.

Start of our cruise and the east side of Gramvousa Peninsula

Our first stop Imeri Gramvousa. 

View to the South-South East, where our lagoon is

Gramvousa is famous for its historical Venetian fortress, which still stands at a height of 137m, over the beach.

The fort at Imeri Gramvousa was built between 1579 and 1584 during Venetian rule over Crete to defend the island from the Ottoman Turks. The fort remained in Venetian hands throughout the prolonged Cretan War, and in the treaty of 16 September 1669, which surrendered Crete to the Ottomans, Gramvousa, along with the fortresses of Souda and Spinalonga, was retained by Venice. These three forts defended Venetian trade routes and were also strategic bases in the event of a new Ottoman–Venetian war for Crete.

Nada waited for me at the sea level

On the North another island called Agria Gramvousa (Greek: Άγρια Γραμβούσα), which translates to Wild Gramvousa.

View from the fort to the bay, our ship and an old wreck that was abandoned many years ago near the beach.

Bloody tourists everywhere

On 6 December 1691, during the Morean War (another Ottoman–Venetian war), the Neapolitan Captain de la Giocca betrayed the Venetians by surrendering Gramvousa to the Ottoman Turks for a generous bribe. He lived the rest of his life in Constantinople and was well known by the nickname "Captain Grambousas". Although the island became an Ottoman one, the fortress of Gramvousa and the other two strongholds became gathering points for Greek insurgents, especially during the Greek War of Independence. Unfortunately, the Ottomans succeeded in blocking the spread of rebels in other parts in Crete. Thus about 3000 Greek revolutionists were stuck on the Island of Gramvousa which became their base. The lack of food pushed them to piracy and seizing of sea vessels.  That’s why the island is also known as the Pirate Island.

Approaching the Balos lagoon

Well-known, famous, photographed, dreamy, heavenly, unique, are only some of the characteristics of the lagoon of Balos.

Our ship in a bay

Shallow water is suitable for people of all ages

Crowded with tourists. Can't imagine coming here in high season.

Beauty sleep

The beach of Balos has also a stunning color, as in many places on the beach, the sand is pinkish, due to the countless broken shells.

Brand new pier

In one long line we started to leave the lagoon

Time to go back on the east side of the peninsula

"Sky-blue-white" is the name of the flag of Greece. The cross symbolises Eastern Orthodox Christianity, while the 9 blue-white stripes can have different meanings.

Leaving the west part of Crete, where seismic activity between Aegean Sea Plate and African Plate is still very active

 

The Agios Ioannis Cave is a cave with a cave church just outside the town of Kissamos. The church is from the 11th century.

Nada light up some candles

 

Once again we tasted the delicious food from Italian restaurant Nesaki. The owners are Nada's friends Jelica and Nes, where we stayed for 2 nights. Thanks for everything!

Another day on the West

GeoCaches found:
- N 35°36. E 023°35. Γραμβούσα-Crete with Alexandra, EarthCache, GC6TCTX
- Gramvousa, GC3WV54
- Imeri Gramvousa, EarthCache, GC4Q7V9
- Balos lagoon, GC4BH6D
- Balos Lagoon, EarthCache, GC4Q7TR
- Agios Ioannis Prodromu church, GC4BQCD
- The Olive Tree, GC2FFDZ, where I took the trackable item "Bockereyders Geocoin", TB71XQW