After two days of flying and overnighting I have finally arrived in Crete. We decided to hire a small car so we can stop when we want to. The trip from Hiraklion to Agios Pavlos is about 1 1/2 hours drive. There is a bus which meets new guests each Saturday at lunch time and takes them to YogaPlus.

I had heard that Agios Pavlos was quite remote, but wasn't prepared for exactly how remote it actually is. The road winds around bare, rocky mountains and is only as wide as perhaps two small cars, with the sides dropping down what seems kilometers. The view into the distance is of more hazy monstrous-like completely arid mountains. I  find that having to drive a stick, as well as being on the opposite side of the road to Australia, is causing some major anxiety within me. I breath and mentally go through my 'have-I-organised-everything-in-case-I-die' list. The roads twists and turns every 100 or so meters and if someone comes towards you there is no where to go. Imagine doing a hill start when behind you is nothing but another curve and a huge drop.



I am certainly beginning to feel like I am on a quest, which, this is for me. The quest of finding the most wonderful yoga shalas in the world.


Finally, we see the ocean (or the sea as it is called here). It is such a deep blue, turquoise. We begin our descent into Agios Pavlos, one of Crete's most unspoiled coves, we are told. But we see signs of 'modernisation', with brand new street lights, not yet connected, lining the way into the little bay. There are no signs for YogaPlus, but we find it easily as it overlooks the bay and is one of only three main buildings. There are quite a few people about and as we meet with Radha, the inspiration behind YogaPlus, we are told that Agios Pavlos has become more popular with the local inhabitants of Crete since recent magazine articles have hailed it as Crete's best kept secret.


Our room is on the second floor and overlooks the sea. It is clean, white and serene. There is no TV, mini bar or internet. This is a retreat, a break from the mixed up world. I feel like I am breathing out all my stress by simply looking at the amazing view and feeling the cool breeze flow through the room. The temperature is incredibly pleasant in the shade and even in the sun it is bearable. I unpack my bags and begin to feel excited about the next two weeks here at Agios Pavlos.



The traveling ashtangi