Crete, Episode 3

Where were you a year ago?

Me, I was in Crete and I officially put online my blog (Article Why a Blog? )!

I was visiting friends between two attempts to freeze my eggs in Madrid (Article Gift from Science).

If you had asked me where I would be in March 2019, I would have been unable to answer, and I certainly wouldn’t have told you in Crete. Even though I spent a lot of time in Spain last year (Articles Rainy Day in Madrid & Las Palmas), I never really left Crete because I keep coming back ...

So many things happened ever since. We can accomplish a lot in 12 months. Be proud of what you have undertaken and have confidence in the future, we’re going to continue to grow up together.

Where will I be in March 2020? No idea! Keep following my adventures to find out.

Meanwhile, the subject of this week was obvious: Crete for a new episode.
As a reminder I've already talked about Heraklion, Rethymno and their surroundings.

I told you in the previous episode that I'd talk about Greek mythology.

Long before the Gods of Olympus, Cronos and Rhea, both children of Ouranos (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth), ruled the Universe. They had five children: Hestia, Demeter, Hera (that I’ll talk more in a future article), Hades and Poseidon. All eaten by their father Cronos, because his parents said that one day, he would be dethroned by one of his children.
​
Then Zeus was born, but while Cronos was about to swallow him too, Rhea exchanged the child for a big stone wrapped in a blanket. Cronos didn’t notice and Rhea went to hide the child in an underground cave, safe from the world and his father, on the island of Crete.

Diktaean cave is located at 1,025 metres altitude, not far from Psychro above the Lasithi plateau.

We have to climb 800 metres of slope on a stony path to reach the entrance of the cave. All along, the view overlooking the Lasithi plateau is beautiful and soothing. And for those who prefer, donkeys are available for ascent.

Once at the top, you just have to go down the innumerable stairs that takes us to 800 metres deep with a small lake. Legend says that Zeus was bathing here ...

And as I was going to visit a mythical place, I wore my favourite t-shirt with the hope of seeing a unicorn!! 

Then we go up all the stairs and we go down the hill ...

​Zeus may have been hidden in another cave on the slopes of Mount Ida, still in Crete, but I haven't visited it yet.

​Zeus became an adult and wanted to free his brothers and sisters. Stories diverge but Cronos regurgitated all his children as well as the stone.

After many battles, Zeus became the King of Gods.
​
So, you have to be patient in life, everything comes at the perfect timing…

It is said that wisdom comes with age, but just like a tree, one must first have roots well planted to grow, flourish and resist storms.

This brings us to the charming little village of Krasi, still close to the Lasithi plateau, another very symbolic place in Crete since a huge plane tree sits in the middle. This tree is said to be over 2,000 years old and would be the oldest tree in Crete. It was declared a monument of nature in 2011.
​
No wonder that in the past, many artists came for inspiration here. Notably, Nikos Kazantzakis, a famous Greek writer (1883-1957), whose famous novel Zorba the Greek was adapted to the cinema

​Hope you enjoyed this article.
​
I take this opportunity to wish my friend Emanouela a very happy birthday!
Χρόνια πολλά! φιλάκια πολλά!


​Have a good week!

Love & Patience,
L.