Ancient Greek history explodes into a sensation of mythology and folk tales; man and gods.  According to myth, King Minos, son of Zeus and Europa, once the ruler of Crete, lived in a palace with more than a thousand rooms.  In 1900 such a palace was discovered in Knossos, Crete and partially restored. Walking through the magnificent red and black pillars, it is immediately apparent that this, the Minoan Civilization, was far more advanced than some simple coastal fishing village.  Running water, sanitary facilities, lighting, ventilation, stunning mosaics, intricate architecture, sculptures of ‘riding the bull’ and intriguing artwork showcase the grandeur of this ancient civilization.  According to Greek mythology, this labyrinth was designed by famed architect Dedalos.  So complex, it is said once someone was placed in the palace it was impossible for them to find their way out.  In reward for his outstanding work, Dedalos was imprisoned by King Minos, trying to keep the plans secret to the world.   Dedalos was also a great inventor and just happened to produce 2 sets of wings so that he and his son, Ikaros, could fly away to freedom.  Before taking flight, Father warned his son not to get too close to the sun.  Once in the air Ikaros was so taken by the sensation of flying that he didn’t heed his Father’s warning.  Young and impulsive he flew higher and higher until the heat from the sun melted the wax holding the wings together and poor Ikaros fell to his death in the Ageaen below.

The Minoans, who were non Indo-European people, flourished from about 3000 BCE to1100 BCE.  They were self-sufficient in their basic needs and their artisans were famous in the Mediterranean for creations in gold, stone, ivory and bronze.  This complex society, boasting some of Europe’s first developed cities, thrived in peace and prosperity for many centuries.  The civilization came to an abrupt demise at its apogee, by earthquake and or invasion around 1450 BC, leaving behind many questions and pieces to a unique and superlative puzzle.

We stayed in the quaint little seaside town of Agios Nikolaos.  This cozy little village consisted of an intimate Cathedral, 3 organic shops, a small grocery shop and 3 seaside restaurants; the left hand one serving authentic homemade Cretan food.  Nicolas, the friendly waiter even invited us to his house for falafels.  As vegans they whipped up oven baked potatoes with olives, tomatoes and onions on top, spaghetti with mushrooms and a rich sauce, with hot crisp pita bread!  Up the hill, first left, 2 doors in, we discovered a divine tiny dessert shop.  We bought a dark chocolate mousse cake, with fresh strawberries from the Lassithi Plateau.  The stage was set for me to celebrate an amazing Cretan birthday. Like the Beatles sang, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me – when I’m 64??!” A resounding yes vibrated through the Karma Minoan Resort as by coincidence (and there are no coincidences in life) a gala Greek extravaganza complete with music, feasting, dancing, drinking, smashing plates was planned for October 3^rd.  What a fun smash up to start off another remarkable year of existence! We definitely were headed towards dying of laughter that night!  Wine, ouzo, dancing on the tables and smashing plates; what a way to go!

Off we went the next day with a couple of new friends to Heraklion basking in the antiquity of old town, the fortress, and the seaside promenade and marina.

Koronekes Olive Mill is nearby Spilia and Archanes Village. The good health and longevity of the Cretan people is owned to the traditional Cretan diet. The Cretan diet is considered to be the most representative and qualitative example of the so-called Mediterranean diet. It is based on olive oil, vegetables, fruits, legumes grains and wine.  The trees were heavily laden with glowing olives as harvest is in November.

The Douloufakis Winery is located outside of Dafnes Village, set amongst typical Cretan vineyards, it produces wines from Cretan indigenous varieties but also international ones. The journey there alone is worth it down windy roads, with beautiful sweeping views of the vineyards and olive groves.

After a little wine tasting we learned all about making wine.  Picking, squeezing, letting the grapes and skins ferment for 2 weeks, followed by straining and fermenting further in wooden barrels for 3 months; then in the bottles and ready to drink in 1 year.  Each step carefully controlled by temperature.  On the other hand the Minoans used to crush grapes and let them remain in large open crockery vases for months, the result an interesting orange/white wine, which we also sampled.

The gem of Crete was an adventurous journey up to the Lassithi Plateau.  At 1150 metres up from seaside Heraklion, we saw breathtaking, picturesque views the whole way. We passed monasteries, windmills, and little cafes in villages; the houses made out of stones lined with cobblestone streets.

The Lassithi Plateau is described as a plateau of 10,000 windmills. There are also some old black and white photos showing thousands of windmills scattered throughout the area. Unfortunately, most of these windmills, with crude pumping engines and iron towers of simple technology, no longer exist. Originally, the locally-constructed windmills made their appearance in the valley at the end of the 1800s. During the 1950s there were about 4,000 of the structures offering invaluable assistance to the farms they served.

 Arriving at the plateau was a sight for sore eyes and sore bottoms, after the arduous trip full of hairpin turns.  At the top it was sunny and the road was decorated on one side by a small red roofed church, the other side a small cafe with radiant red strawberries and tomatoes, and fields full of white windmills.  The destination definitely worth the journey.  The fruit stand next to the cafe, had mouthwatering fresh strawberries and tomatoes, 3 eu a box.  Put your money in the can because Grandma had just gone to work in her son’s fields.  Here families are still living in harmony with the earth.

Rather than retracing the long road up to the eclectic “Homo Sapien Museum we asked for a short cut back down.  Taking the road down to Malia is the way to go.  One set of hairpin turns and you are down already. We were rewarded with quaint little stone villages along the way. Wish we had had more time to slowly explore the whole area. We ended up in Elounda and had a bite to eat in this little coastal town 10 minutes from our hotel. Afterwards sitting on our balcony looking over the serene, ancient landscape we felt happy and content.  A life full of gratitude and laughter is a choice and a blessing!

And so it goes…………………………………..Next off to Santorini, the romantic, mystical Greek island in the southern Aegean Sea.   Until then Keep Laughing, Keep Living Life to the Fullest, and remember in this world full of confusion to hope we all die laughing!  We are glad you stopped by! Drop us a line sometime. Take care!

Love, Light & Laughter, 

xo  Nancy & Joseph