When you look at the dark sky and stormy sea with a red flag on the beach, of course, were were upset. But for no more than a minute. Because we immediately recalled that we were in

Crete

! And if there is a storm and clouds in the Aegean Sea, there is definitely calm and sunny skies in the Libyan Sea. In extreme cases, you can go to the Ionian Sea and see what's there, as well as what's on the way! 

Here is, for example, Matala beach, by the Libyan Sea. Exactly on th9s day, when there was a storm and clouds in Maglie at the Aegean, just in 31 miles (50 km) away - on the other side of the island, the weather was beautiful:

Sand rocks of Matala are literally dotted with man-made caves. It is said that ancient people began to dig them in the 11th century BC, and used them as tombs in the rocks. In the 20th century, these caves served as an alternative to hotels for the hippie youth. Now, everyone can get there, but just before the afternoon (after 2 p.m. the caves are closed).

Next to Matala, there is Phaistos, the Minoan city and palace. Of course, there is no palace, but it's quite nice to wander through the ruins on the hill - and to imagine the gardens and fountains that used to be there.

Less than 2 miles away (3 km) from Phaistos, on a hillside, is Agia Triada. It's also the Minoan monument, according to archeologists - a country villa of rulers from Phaistos.

Then, you can go west or east. We went in both directions.
First, let's turn to the east. On the way, we met Gortyna - the ruins of the ancient Roman city with thermae, theaters, a governor's palace and a forum. In the picture, there is Odeon, the Roman theater, built in the 1st century BC for the performance of music and poetry.

There are ancient olive trees everywhere, which are said to be two thousand years old. Somewhere in Crete, there is an olive tree that is 2.5 thousand years old, the oldest one, but I do not know where it is.

We continued further along the southern coast.

We passed the mountains to the north.

We saw purple bushes, which were literally everywhere in Crete; on every hill.

And we arrived to the extreme east - to the palm beach of Vai.

There is another one palm beach in Crete - Preveli. It is in the south, where the 

Kourtaliotiko Gorge

meets the Aegean Sea. Megapotamos - "Great River" - runs at the bottom of the gorge (but this is ridiculous, really - there is no place, where it is deeper than the waist).

Here is this river closer to its source.

And here is Preveli Beach, to which this river leads.

Nearby, a little further to the west, is Plakias. There is a beach and a lot of taverns, it was a very nice place, we had dinner there, and even swam.

After the beach, you can visit the city. For example, 

Chania

. There is a beautiful harbor, and the Mosque of the Janissaries,  old shipyards, and even Venetian houses which have been well-preserved.

Rethymno is also a pleasant city, the heritage of the Venetians and the Turks.

In the evening, we went to Elounda, to look at the beautiful bay and Spinalonga at sunset.

And, of course, there was a "Greek Night" waiting for is that evening - dinner under the starry sky, heady wine, and driving Sirtaki.