Yes..having an "Apocalypse Now Moment"
Sell the house.
Sell the car.
Sell the kids.
I'm staying.
Crete (Κρήτη) is the largest and most heavily populated of the Greek Islands. It is also one of the most popular Greek Tourist Hot-Spots. Mayes description of the molten heat and swarms of tourists probably isn't far off.
Perhaps another perk to virtual travel. Never a line.
Settling in with a large bowl of (real) black grapes and black (ripe) olives and what remains of my chunk Feta for a sweet and salty treat to enjoy along the way. What a surprise you get when the black grape you just popped in your mouth turns out to be a black olive, instead.
I live for life's little surprises.
Opa!
So onward to Crete.
On approach it appears like another of the oh-so-perfect Greek Harbor towns we have already seen. Building stark white or a light pastel. Doors matching the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Red clay tiled rooftops. But within its 3,219 square miles, there is so much more to see.
Crete boasts the best night-clubbing in the islands. Beautiful mountains sometimes capped with snow (although it rarely is seen below) Fantastic pebbled beaches. Limestone out-croppings and caves (one of which is the mythological birthplace of Zeus)
Sorry. Getting this visual of little blue and white wooden signs scattered throughout the island proclaiming
ZEUS SLEPT HERE
Maybe it is an American thing.
(If you think I am joking you have clearly never been through most of the New England States...it appears all George Washington ever did was SLEEP HERE...seriously)
I, also, seem to have the Grape/Olive/Cheese ratio sorted now. One olive. Two Black grapes and then a sliver of Feta. All at room temperature. Try it yourself, sometime!
Outstanding.
Crete's economy thrives not only on tourism, but on agriculture. Grapes, Olives, Lemons, and Cretian Honey. Hives of blues and pastels dot the fertile valleys.
The source of the honey: Pollen gathered by the bees from wildflowers, olive trees, citrus trees and the conifers on the island; said to give it a Paticular-to-Crete flavor.
Took a quick side-trip to eBay and found several types of Greek Honey including Cretan. A mouse-click or two later, and it is now winging its way this way! We will soon see.
Also received the (one) drachma coin today I had ordered earlier. Minted the year of my birth...to jingle along with the rest of the change I have accumulated from my travels through Mayes' novel.
Cretans credit Hercules as the reason Crete has no large carnivores, dangerous animals or deadly snakes. There aren't any. The myth says that Hercules removed then all as a tribute to Zeus.
Today lent itself quite well to the "feel" of Crete, as well. From the 90+ degree heat and sunshine, with perfectly clear deep blue skies, to the tzi-tzi of our own thousands of Cicadas in the tree tops, here in Indiana. Much like the guide on Crete told Mayes...it doesn't do any good to talk louder...they will just adjust their screech accordingly.
I tried this on my patio.
It is true.
The Cretans call them Tzitzikia (perhaps for the sound they make) and they are everywhere.
Crete is much more than a One Day Island. So many places and things to see and try!
http://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/573726/Top-10-things-to-do-in-Crete
And since money and time is not really a concern with virtual travel...we will stick around for as long as it takes, and see them all!
Here are a couple of videos that give a great overview of the island.
https://youtu.be/RxHG1_ag7iU
https://youtu.be/mE2i_A0D1o8
and we will explore The Top Ten Things to Do in Crete at our leisure and individually.
Until tomorrow!
Evening in Crete
