Stalis Panorama - Jurgen does a runner!

Stalis, not far from Malia, etc.

Crete: from rural outback to concrete jungle in 25 years!

Last time I was in Malia, I was 31 on an 18-30 trip and it was mental then, but this is 2012 & it seems Crete is suffering from Tourist Overdose bigtime, with Russians every friggin-where!

And they are grotesque.

At the Waterpark I pissed them right off by pretending to be a Greek lifeguard and take the rubber rings off the bastards, which they would not give to the young kids queuing!

Arrogant pricks.

The upshot - lots of dads coming up to me to thank me - all in a holiday's work!!

Over at the Panorama Hotel above the beach murky mischief was afoot. The man apparently working in the reception area was a German and a long-term friend of the owner. He was a delight, affable, helpful and chatty. We had at least three occasions to call him with room-issues (air-con failure, locks breaking, etc.) coz he was also the handyman. On the final occasion, the day before we left, he seemed more perplexed about the nature of the problems he was encountering, shaking his head and muttering about the local craftsmen. He wandered over to his apartment across the road and never appeared again! He rang the owner from Heraklion airport and flew back to Germany.

He had no need for money and was loaded; just liked working there.
Linda, the cocktail Queen & general-manager, reckoned he was on the run & hiding out......who knows?

I've still got the last note he wrote me somewhere. If he was a serial-killer or bank-robber, he was one of the nicest I met!

The Panorama has a great pool sheltered by massive pine-trees and great food prepared by Paul & delivered by the magnifique Manos!

Most people who find it want to book there afterwards & return. Best way to watch the Olympic Games anytime!!