Not so scary Minotaur
The Minotaur is not so scary. . .
On the largest Greek island - Crete - the rest is truly divine. There is no impudence and obtrusiveness of the Turks, fussiness of the Egyptians. History, legends and time stopped their run here. This is especially felt during the siesta, when the Greeks, exhausted by the hot sun, obeying some ancient rhythms and the desire to do nothing, sit in the shade of trees or small taverns and drink their favorite drink - coffee frappe. Nothing will quench your thirst like this cold coffee with milk foam.
Morning in Crete is a special time: flowers, sea and spices smell. And a laughing Greek in a white apron, opening the doors of his pastry shop, spreads the smell of fresh almond buns and sweets through the streets. All this merges into one complex smell of Greece. The morning calm is broken by the cries of the owners of taverns and shops - "Kalimera! ". Friendliness and sincere smiles reign everywhere. No anger, sleepy crowds, anger, haste, clogged city transport. Mornings in Crete are truly "good".
The most "living" legend of the island is the Palace of Knossos, where the Minotaur lived. The ruins of the palace attract crowds of tourists. This place is a must have of Crete. Despite the fact that this is just a legend, fear creeps under your clothes, willy-nilly you shrink from the expectation of a monster that has jumped out from around the corner - an angry bull. When you wander through the labyrinth, you still want to tie yourself with Ariadne's thread... just in case.
It is very pleasant to wander in the warm water in the shallow waters of Elafonissi bay. The pink sand of the local beaches gives the impression that you are in paradise.
And the advertisement of the real "heavenly delight" - Bounty - they say, was filmed on the palm beach of Vai, on the western (eastern) coast of Crete. Although thickets of wild palm trees on Prevelli beach are no worse, the beach is made of exotic black sand, only the sea in that place is cold, despite 300 km to Africa. Prevelli is a place where a fresh river flowing from a gorge flows into the salty sea: dozens of shades of water and sky mix in this place: blue, turquoise, blue. From the coastal cliffs, this landscape looks especially breathtaking. It is here that you understand why our sea is called the Black Sea, and blue is the main color on the flag of Greece.
I think that visitors will not be indifferent to stalactites and stalagmites in the cave of Zeus and many white butterflies-mills in the Valley of a Thousand Mills.
It is good to be early in the morning in one of the gorges: Kuraliotsky or Samaria. Kuraliota Gorge - Flapping Sails Gorge - when the wind blows, it feels like the schooners spread their sails around you and they flap in the wind. In fact, nothing disturbs the morning peace of the mountains: on the slope, a mountain goat carelessly plucks grass, a waterfall murmurs, glossy leaves of olive trees rustle, and in the morning rays of the sun, in the height, barely distinguishable, soars, spreading its wings in a royal span, an eagle. His flight is an ode to eternity and serenity. And when you stand at the very bottom of such a gorge, between the stones and, with your head up, watch this flight, all the problems seem small and insignificant. Are there many other places like this on earth?
Greek cuisine is a separate conversation. Each locality has its own version of Greek salad, which invariably smells of fragrant herbs and olive oil. Spices never spoil the taste of local dishes, but give them sophistication and originality. That is why, and also because of the starched linen napkins and hot bread with a crispy crust, in a rustic tavern you feel like in a chic restaurant. It is better to try sea creatures in taverns on the embankment, ordering fish-mix. Then you can immediately try everything: lobsters, squids, octopuses, red mullet and other fish, whose names I don’t even know.
The Greeks live in an unhurried rhythm, sun and peace. It seems that in Crete - the island of blue and white Greece - the holiday mood is constantly reigning.