Calm in Crete

Tuesday 11th July

Today we are on Crete. We took a tour into the countryside to look at some of the local areas. We first visited the city of Heraklion which was founded in 824. It was early in the morning so not many people were about. The locals were just opening their shops, and delivery vans were doing their thing. 

From there we drove to the small village of Stironas to visit Vasilli and his small farm where he grows olives and grapes and makes his own olive oil, wine, and raki (the local equivalent to grappa). Vasili processes grapes for other farmers in the area, using more modern day equipment, but when it comes to his wine, a lot of the processing is by hand. 

After his wine information session we all went inside for a traditional breakfast - beautiful tasting tomatoes, cucumber, olives (of course) cheese, and his wine - and raki (Rob calls it rocket fuel). I tasted it, but happy to leave it for those who like it. While enjoying the food we were entertained by some of his family doing Cretan folk dancing.

This was a great tour - away from the madding crowd. 

I think Odette took a liking to the raki.

Cretan folk dance.

Vasily explained how he made his wine.

Very old olive tree.

Hanging out in hope outside the ice cream shop. 

Main street in Heraklion, Crete.
It was early in the morning so the streets were quiet.
It was a lovely clean city.  

Loggia in the centre of the town.
Was destroyed by the Nazis but rebuilt to the original italian style.

Can't stop this party girl - and boy. 

A close look at the embroidery on their costumes.
Simple, but lovely.