Caves, beaches, and a song from Joni Mitchell

Heading further east along the south coast of Crete, we found Xerokampos, a wide-spread village with several nice beaches, only very few hotels and now, in winter time, remarkably calm. Coming down the street from the mountians features spectacural views into the bay area.

Coming down the street from the mountians features spectacural views into the bay area.

There are many interesting small caves in the cliffs. As far as I understand, they have been carved and washed out from the sea when the sea level was some 20 meters higher (or the coast line lower, whatsoever). Most were used since ancient times, some probably for living and others for burying deads. Nowadays, they are used a lot by farmers or – in wilder places – the goats.

Some 40-50 years back, some of the caves were used by hippies. In particular, Matala, a village further west, was very popula place. Also Joni Mitchell was there and later, published this song about it.