Geographic Details of Crete

Overview of Crete.

The island of Crete is the biggest of the total of 1000+ islands in Greece ...
situated the most southern of all islands ... giving mild winters and a contrast between northern weather influences and southern -ones !

The north-west coastline ...that's the part I'm the most familiar with, especially Kalyves, Agios Pantes, Plaka, Georgioupoli, Souda and Chania.

You can easily travel from one city to another in the north-west by car, bus, motorbike or by bike ! The VOAK (( national road) will connect main areas...without steep slopes.  From village to village one can move also easily by bike.. 

BUT it requires stamina to pass the mountains from north to south.. all over the cliffs !


Southern coast is more wild, with high cliffs and abandonned beaches and beach forests.
Coast areas are generally less cloudy then inside the country, in higher altitudes. There can fall snow during winter months, above 600m.

The line (KTEL buses) for

 Heraklion - Chania connects the smoothly the northern cities - Kalyves; Rethymnon, Georgioupouili, ...-

Sitia, Heraklion, Hersonnissos are heavily frequented mass tourism places for party-people in summer. I'm  trying to avoid them ... they don't attract me to visit.

Apokoronas , the area around Kalyves and Plaka where I live, is a significant green area.


What about me ?

... I arrived in late autumn 2017 as an olive harvester  ..and found my way as a musician and assistant in watersport center during the first tourist season.

Best way is to describe me as 'all-rounder', working as watersports-assistant, handyman, musician and yoga-teacher.

VISIT - Rethymnon Musea

 VISIT - Rethymnon Musea

A beautiful sunny day, after all winterstorms.

The museum of 'Temporary Art ' didnt leave any positive impressions. Modern scandals, hidden realities and fake news publications were illustrated in one cynical way.

The museum of Archeology was impressive.  Mostly urns, sarcophages, ancient kitchen tools and carved manuscripts in granite and limestones made the visit worth it ! Also there are couple of statues from female godesses that are wonderfully intact.

Most of excavated items are from the area.

HIKING -- Lake Kournas TOUR

 Lake Kournas WALK 

It was a tryout 

 Near Georgioupouli bridge were described some trails of the area.

The walk can be continued circular all over the mountain but is difficult to avoid getting lost on the trail , signalisation is absent.

The view is excellent being 20 meters above the  waterlevel of the lake.

The maps:

WALK - Kiliaris River ( Venetian Aquaduct)

 WALK - Kiliaris River ( Venetian Aquaduct

Hard to localise, it's the backside of a pont that has this Venetian Aquaduct structure !

It can be combined with a walk in Stylos - Kiliaris river AREA.

The Olive Ranch

--- That's the place that has gone bankrupt unfortunately. They made horse-rides with kids etc.

That's the aquaduct !

TRIP - Zaros Lake and FAISTOS

 Zaros Lake and Faistos Palace

Zaros lake is a long drive from Apokoronas area.

Counting 2.5 hours from Kalyves, with many curves.

The lake is quite small, there is one tavern selling fish meals but it's closed in winter.

It's one artificial lake, with schools of carps and groups of turtles EVERYWHERE !

From the lake starts a walk into the gorge and towards te St. Nicolas monastery. Unfortunately , weather didn't allow to complete the walk.

Faistos is not as magnificent and impressive in size and colours as Knossos.

Despite there arent many columns ahead or either intact frescos, you get an overview of the area of the palace with queen and kings suits and chambers.

VISIT - Episkopi , Myriokefalo, Ancient Lappa and Archontiki

VISIT - Episkopi , Myriokefalo, Ancient Lappa and Archontiki

Our dog staying on our side, the cute puppy.

First, the monastery of Myriokefalo. Hidden treasure, enlighted location, fairly intact.

Ancient Lappa. Old tombs, moderately worth visiting. A small hike down will bring you there.

VISIT -- Dinosauria Park and Museum of Ancient Technology

 VISIT -- Dinosauria Park and Museum of Ancient Technology 

This park will be an adventure for children.

It has areas indoor and outdoor, where you find dinosaurs of all sizes from different historical timeframes

Movements of their bodies and imitated sounds are very impressive !

All dinosaurs are clearly documented with small information sheets.

On the last area you will find some introduction about the appearance of the first humans and couple of quizzes and games.

Ancient Technology Museum

As an electromechanical engineer this was one absolute 'must'.

Several different ancient inventions were displayed. 

Above the first fire -extinguisher.

Weapons for defence.

Principle of hydraulics to control one waterorgan.

Steam power was invented by the greeks ! This was one torpedo - rocket on steam power.

Hydraulics have been used for measuring time.

First turning-device for wood crafting.

' Communicating vessels ' . Laws of pressure.

Distance measuring unit.

First crane.

Similar.

Tripod - crane

First human robots.