Kolimbari - Κίσσαμος Walking into the sea-front... The first part of the road into sea-front Kolimbari, between the Hotel Taverna Lefka, the local co-op store and the war memorial at the bottom of the road is distinctly uninspiring right now. A once narrow quarter-mile strip of pot-holed tarmac lined with old Tamarisk trees now looks a bit like a modern building site! A newish wide tarmac strip with modern pavements and scattered development along the edges doesn't really seem an improvement. Although the old steel-fenced co-op building looks like a white-washed prison with a redundant exercise yard (in WWII the German forces used it as a goal!) it has already lost some of the original buildings in preparation for future developments. Meanwhile, it is the main local source of the famous Kolimbari olive oil, reputed to be one of the best in the world. It is also an excellent example of an original co-op store - Cretan style. Moving down a few hundred yards - the large construction on the right isn't a mistake, it is a developing EEC sponsored museum dedicated to the history of the fishing industry. I'm going to be one of the first in there when it opens. Across the road is a modern bar/cafe with a small taverna next door. These are very popular with the younger local population and the only drawback seems to be the parking on both sides of the road outside. The local and very original police station is a hundred metres or so further down on the right and is typical. Cretan police are strictly non-oppressive, though they will arrest you and take you away if necessary! The original police station with friendly police - but be warned, things like drink-driving and drugs will result in swift justice which is, unlike the UK, almost immediate. But if you need help, don't hesitate to ask a policeman. Remember also that there are special tourist police. Tel 112 will get you to special emergency service operators who speak both English and French - 24 hrs 7days. The new pavements really are an improvement. The old tree-lined road seemed pretty and romantic only if you didn't have to spend time dodging traffic or falling into the pot-holes while walking to or from the sea-front area..... Very soon you will see this road as a spacious modern addition to this part of Kolimbari. And notice the young Tamarisk trees planted at intervals in the pavements - the romance wasn't forgotten! BACK HOME FORWARD Sea Front Kolimbari There are two sea-front scenes in Kolimbari, the quiet and the active taverna scene. For the first, turn right just past the police station. This road takes you, passing the Irini Beach hotel en route, to a long open beach - no tavernas, no crowds. Just a long, long open beach. Facing a very swimmable sea. Facing the sea, to the left is sea-front Kolimbari, the tavernas facing the beach. Good food, sun-beds and brolleys for hire and perhaps a little more sand, but a few minutes walk away. To the right the beach stretches away into the distance to Chania. Don't attempt to walk there though - it's a very long way and in a few places you would have to forsake the beach for the very busy coast road. Local Cuisine............. There are several local places to eat at or near the sea front. Six sit right on the edge of the beach; three overlooking the sea and one a minute away with an excellent main street location. They all sit in a very neat straight line sandwiched between the sea and the right side of the main street, walking towards the harbour end of Kolimbari. Except one sitting on the left side of the street, which has a super cosmopolitan feel. Mylos Cafe Bar Plaza Following the main street.... This is the easiest way from one end of sea-front Kolimbari to the other. Unlike the sea-side promenades in the UK, and many other places, Kolimbari has the buildings between the sea and the main thoroughfare. That's Greek. But very nice as it separates the traffic from the tavernas, the beach, and you. First half of the main street - sea front Kolimbari There are five tavernas, a gift shop, a unisex hairdressers and directly facing you at the top a very old, genuine and very Cretan Kafenion. Men only but then Cretan chivalry being what it is I have seen at least one lady having a drink outside. An original experience which you might never be able to re-live. Try it - but don't look for the juke-box. The first gift shop, on the left walking up the street towards the kafenion sells, in common with it's peers, just about everything. Ice cream; cold drinks; air beds; Sun creams; leather goods; ceramics; jewelry; postcards; paperbacks; magazines and newspapers in several different languages. English, German and of course Greek languages predominate. I like the jewelry - it's typical of all Cretan gift-shops but my daughter likes ear-rings. This guy has a very excellent selection at good prices. The second and newest gift shop on the street is 'Elaia'. Standing on the right side of the street opposite the post office. Fairly new they don't yet sell everything but have a good selection of pottery, some of which you won't find in the other shops. They also sell books on Crete; guidebooks; cookery books; maps and very useful being so near the post office, postcards. walk down between the buildings and you will find yourself in a small open plateia facing the sea. The small fishing harbour is on your left and the Restaurant-Bar Mylos on your right. This is the view from the small harbour to where you should be standing if you are following the guide. A new extension to this harbour is being built to attract yachts and I would think, other pleasure craft. But don't worry, the bay here is very shallow. There is no chance for car ferries and commercial vehicles spoiling the place. The main beach at Kolimbari, Beach Kolymbari slopes gently into a shallow sea, making it ideal for children. It is north facing however and in strong winds the sea can get very choppy. The sand is soft and taverna tables line the beach between shady tamarind trees. Sunbeds have been provided free for patrons of the tavernas, but his is a practice that unfortunately appears to be dying out. Beyond the dinky harbour, recently rebuilt, is a huge and monstrous cement building surrounded in wire that both mars the headland and prevents walks around it - only in Greece. Find accommodation, Hotel Kolimbari, Beach Kolymbari, Hotels in Kolimbari, Beach Kolymbari, HANIA Chania or Hania Kolimbari, Beach Kolymbari, Kolymbari. Hotel Kolimbari, Beach Kolymbari, Kolimbari, Beach Kolymbari, Kolymbari, Chania, Aghia, hotels presented by Greek travel agent etravel.gr . 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