Elea Beach: An Unexpected Adventure in Paradise
We had already heard plenty of great stories about Elea Beach, and we were excited to experience it for ourselves. However, the journey to this hidden gem wasn’t entirely smooth. Especially the last part of the drive was a bit tricky. Mirre hadn’t driven in a while, and though we took turns driving on our previous trip, the thought of getting behind the wheel again felt increasingly daunting. It’s funny how thoughts can snowball in your mind.
A déjà vu moment from our previous trip—back when Johan was recovering from strep throat—motivated Mirre to think, “Let’s just go for it!” After all, if something happens to one of us, we both need to be able to handle the campervan on our own.
Nearing our destination, Mirre confidently drove through a puddle, thinking that driving too slowly might get us stuck. Johan, however, would have taken it slow and careful. We often think differently—opposites attract, right?—but this time we didn’t communicate our thoughts. Hidden beneath the seemingly harmless puddle, a rock caused a dramatic jolt and loud noise. Something underneath the camper now seems loose.
We were both startled, and Mirre instantly thought, “I’m never driving again!” But after the emotions settled, we carried on in search of a safe spot to park. Johan optimistically drove toward what looked like a perfect open field. Unfortunately, it turned into a muddy trap—we got stuck again. That’s when we decided: Next time, we’re getting a 4×4 camper!
This time, we managed to free ourselves without any outside help and found a secure, paved place to park the van. The rest of our stay at Elea Beach was truly magical.
Life at Elea Beach
We spent our days relaxing on the beach, making our signature “witch soups,” and catching up on work. Interestingly, there are people who’ve been staying here all winter. In many ways, it’s like a free campsite community. It’s fascinating to see the wide variety of travelers: some arrive in massive tour buses converted into campers—sometimes with trailers in tow—while others live modestly in rusty Volkswagen vans with their families of four.
Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone
The girls had been talking nonstop about wanting to go horseback riding. It’s definitely outside our comfort zone, but as we read every night in Diede’s favorite book: “Sometimes you just have to be a little bit brave.”
We booked a guided tour and ended up taking an incredible ride through the forest and along the beach. Diede developed a little crush on our guide Costa—just look at the photos and you’ll see! The experience turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable, and we’ve come away with yet another set of beautiful travel memories.
Elea Beach offered us more than just sun and sea—it gave us stories, challenges, laughter, and the kind of moments that truly make a road trip unforgettable.
