YOUNG LIFE IN MAKRIGIALOS, CRETE !!!!

Young life in Makrigialos!!!!

Ask a young adult what they think of Makrigialos and they may reply “it’s ok” or “bit boring” in a sullen, sulky voice. It is true, compared to nearby resort Malia, Makrigialos does not have the wild nightlife that us youngsters crave but, in my opinion, what it does have is much better.

I have never been to Malia apart from passing through on route to Makrigialos so I cannot comment but I am from Manchester and am a student at Coventry university where the nightlife is pretty wild and have also visited Newquay and Lanzarote on “girls only holidays.” I have been coming to Makrigialos with my family since 2003. I have to admit that for the previous 4 years I have shied away from the nightlife, watching from afar, preferring to stay with my family and spend the evenings having meals out and cocktails in Olympio. Olympio is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by and observe the goings on of the other, slightly noisier bars such as Ammos, Melidron and Helios.

This year, however, I decided to venture out and experience what the Makrigialos nightlife was really like for young people. One of my favourite experiences this year is meeting other, similar aged people from different countries and cultures. It is truly amazing how brilliant everybody speaks English and has made me determined to come back next year being able to at least hold a conversation in Greek. Although, thanks to some of the people I have met I can now swear fluently in the language!! This year I have made friends from Norway, Greece, England, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Albania, Bulgaria, Ireland, America, Italy and Macedonia. Some of the greatest nights have been sitting in a bar talking about different countries and their schools, shops, nightlife, music etc. I have even been introduced to the world of Greek pop music, although I have no idea what the words are that I am singing!

Coming from Manchester, I am used to streets lined with clubs, bars and pubs so I was excited to check out Makrigialos’ one nightclub, Fever. Fever is up towards Sunwing and is open until the early hours of the morning (the staff don’t usually leave until after dawn). My favourite night there this year has been the Hip Hop night, organised by local dancer Antreas Sfyrakis. Antreas is part of an Ierapetra based dance crew U.G.A and brought them along to demonstrate some of their moves in the club one night. They brought their own DJ with them who kept us on our feet dancing all night and the dancers amazed us all with some fantastic break dancing! Of all places I would never have expected Makrigialos to have such talented hip hop dancers amongst their inhabitants.

Another highlight was the big beach party that took place on the Harbour in early August. A stage was set up on the beach with a DJ playing music all night which could be heard
all over Makrigialos, much to the annoyance of some of the older people! A huge bar was constructed on the beach and the dancing went on until the early hours. The bar staff even stayed until the morning clearing up the beach to ensure it was clean for the families that day. I spent the night with my friend Sam who is working here for the summer in the hotel Artemis. We are both English but we had a brilliant time with some locals and some girls we met from Norway.

Melidron bar also had a beach party which was great fun. The lads from there spent all day building a beach bar and the girls came and decorated it with sarongs and brightly coloured fabric. At night it was lit with fairy lights and they brought their DJ outside to entertain the crowds. Another favourite hot spot for youngsters is Helios bar on the harbour. It’s brightly coloured interior and friendly bar staff make it a great night if you can’t face the walk up to Fever.

A recent addition to the harbour is the internet café which boasts a pool table, numerous computers, webcams, arcade games and a bar. It is always full of young people ranging from ages 5 to about 30 and is a great place to hang out if you don’t fancy going to a bar. It is often very loud in there as online gaming seems to be a very popular activity don’t be surprised to find 6 people playing against each other all shouting through their microphones whilst shooting each other with virtual guns!

This summer has been amazing and I have made some great friends and had some brilliant experiences. I have been to Ierapetra for a night out which is 30 minutes away on the bus and busier than Makrigialos but tricky to get home from so make sure you have pre arranged your journey home if you decide to go. There are a few obvious safety issues to consider here as with anywhere. Along with a drink, lots of bars will give you a free shot of something such as tequila, raki etc. Don’t be afraid to turn it town if you don’t want it or ask for something a bit weaker. Water is free in most bars here so always grab a bottle with your drink to ensure you don’t miss a vital day’s sunbathing due to a hangover. Drinks here tend to be a bit stronger than in the UK, measures are bigger. Be aware of this when you order and most places won’t mind if you ask for it slightly weaker than usual.

*Best for keeping in touch with friends back home- The internet café on the harbour next to Coralli restaurant.
*Best for cocktails-Try Helios bar or Olympio on the harbour.
*Best for music- Melidron bar next to Olympio plays a mixture of greek rap, pop and English rock and roll music! Perfect for dancing the night away! Alternatively go to Helios for R n B, Hip Hop and most popular music from the UK and USA.
*Best bar snacks- Most places will give you complimentary crisp and nuts with your drinks but Soula’s bar is a hidden gem just off the harbour with a selection of crisps, fruit, nuts and snacks with your glass of wine!!
*Best beach bar- Olympio for the gorgeous salads, toasties and, in my opinion the best milkshakes in Makrigialos!

Before I leave I just need to mention one last place which has featured massively in my social calendar this summer. Coukos creperie at the end of the Harbour makes the most amazing crepes and toasties all through the night until the early hours. Imagine the late night kebab shops and burger bars that we all go in at 3am back home? Well this is like an extremely upmarket version of these….and probably a lot healthier. With a “Subway” style of creating your own filling, sweet or savoury, it is impossible not to find yourself popping in there at least twice a week! I fully recommend the chocolate, biscuit and banana crepe! The staff are all really friendly and the unusual style of having the menus inside the glass tables adds to the appeal of the place! Well worth a visit…..or three!!!

Happy holidays!!!!

Caroline Newman Makrigialos 2008