busy and hot...

Today we were joining the family for a day at the beach and when we arrived and saw the number of sunbeds and their occupants it reminded us exactly why we avoid this in the height of the summer - it was rammed!

The family had planned to go to the Baths of Aphrodite and take a wander around the gardens first and then come back to Tsakkas Bay which is the first one on the left as you drive back towards Latchi - we were going to meet them there, have a spot of lunch, a laze and a swim and then go our separate ways.  We had suggested Tsakkas because it is generally good for snorkeling which they were keen to do.

The day didn't quite go to plan as Nathan didn't go to the Baths and so the rest went there and then had to return to Latchi to pick him up and then drive back again to Tsakkas calling us en route so we could meet them.  It was near lunchtime when we arrived to find every parking space imaginable, including some which had never been designed as parking spaces, taken.  We eventually managed to find a spot but wondered how we were going to locate them.

As it happens we were just walking through the taverna and passing the time of day with the nice lad that used to work at the Droushia Heights Hotel when we saw them sitting at the far end perusing the menus.  Apparently they had tried and failed to find six seats together so were planning to have some lunch and then try again afterwards.  John and I had been typical locals and packed our own deckchairs and brolly so we could set up camp anywhere!

I have to say that the taverna food is pretty good and quite reasonable for somewhere with a captive audience!  John and I shared a small salad and each had grilled halloumi and chips but agreed that we could have managed with just one portion.  Even Janice who is a self-confessed fuss-arse when it comes to food thoroughly enjoyed her pork souvlaki once we convinced her that they would not be embellished with peppers and mushrooms.

After lunch John and Janice set off down onto the beach and secured sufficient sunbeds and brollies for their party and we had our own from the car so were sorted.  Although we were the wrong end from the rocks where you would expect to find good snorkeling we needn't have worried because today there were fish everywhere - Paul was well impressed and because Viv managed to go snorkeling in the shallower water and see loads Janice was determined to give it a go too, in fact we all swam and saw fish save for Nathan who was clearly out of sorts today and didn't come into the water.

We stayed for some time - the water was so lovely and so incredibly clear that it was hard to leave it but we did and packed up and set off back to the villa.  We suggested that maybe Janice and Co return late one afternoon and enjoy a swim and watch the sunset.  Janice thought it was a good idea - I think they really liked the location.

Once back at the villa Nathan perked up and he, Alicia and Paul cooled off in the pool whilst the rest of us enjoyed a cuppa and a piece of cake before playing cards - there were major disputes because it was sort of Uno but with regular playing cards and some dodgy rules - we decided to resolve the issue we wold lend them a pack of genuine Uno and everyone, including Nathan, would have to stick to the printed rules in the pack!