No, that’s not Ayers Rock in the background… but simply the hills around Elounda, where a mineral unique to Greece known as “akonopetra” or whetstone is found. Located in east Crete, north of Agios Nikolaos and south of the seaside resort of Plaka, Elounda was once a picturesque fishing village in the lovely Mirabello bay. Now, it is the place where the most five-star hotels in Greece are gathered.