Cretan

Helen Palios

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Unique stories of Samaria gorge

We have a unique gorge here in the south of Crete so many people have walked through over the years to experience its grandeur and immense scale. It stands like a gargantuan giant with its... Continue reading

September

Helen Palios

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Nikos Kazantzakis, the Cretan writer of Zorbas the Greek

There is a film and a musical score most people around the world know quite well that immediately brings to mind Greece. That film is "Zorbas the Greek" and the musical score is for the Zorba dance. Even more so there is a phrase Zorbas says that has been repeated many... Continue reading

September

Helen Palios

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The artful plan that enslaved Crete to the Ottoman Empire

The view from Villa Terra Creta is unparalleled in its beauty of the bay of Chania with glorious sunsets, the old Venetian Harbor and the small islet of Thodorou which has its own history which marked the fate of the island of Crete for over two centuries. Knights... Continue reading

September

Helen Palios

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The flag that never came down; the story of Spiros Kagiales

When Crete’s fate was made in June 12,1645 by the invasion of the Ottoman Empire little did the island know that for 252 years it would be under the worst control an invader could ever impose on a population during that era. Being small... Continue reading

September

Helen Palios

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The bold, wild, free spirited Kri-Kri

In Crete we have a symbol we identify with that represents our free spirit, our fearlessness and our passion for freedom. Its scientific name is capra aegagrus cretica. We, over the years have adopted its pet name and call it Kri-Kri just as it is now widely known across the... Continue reading

September

Helen Palios

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The Martyr Yiannis Vlachos Daskaloyiannis

There is a man here in Crete whose name has been given to the airport of Chania. His name is Yiannis Vlachos Daskaloyiannis. Daskaloyiannis is a nickname that was given to him after he returned home from his studies abroad. Vlachos was his paternal surname. He was born in the... Continue reading

August

Helen Palios

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Raki, the true Cretan spirit!

There is one particular alcoholic drink that we make here in Crete that defines us as Cretan. It has been claimed that it runs in our blood even before we are born. It marks who we are and how we show our love... Continue reading

August

Helen Palios

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Pendozali – Πεντοζαλι, a revolt dance with coded messages

In 1769, while Crete was held under the iron grip of the Ottoman Empire, a man by the name of Yiannis Vlachos Daskaloyiannis decided he had enough seeing the island suffer under it. He was a rich ship owner from the area of... Continue reading

August

Helen Palios

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Those tasty Cretan snails!

What if I told you a story of how snails saved Cretans from starving to death? Snails or Chochlioi = χοχλιοί as we call them from the ancient Greek word Choclea have been a staple in the Cretan diet for centuries. Their shells have been found in ancient excavations and most... Continue reading

August

Helen Palios

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The True Cretan Diet

Do you know who Spermo, Oino and Elaes is? No? That’s ok I’m here to solve the puzzle. They are sisters between them and great grand daughters of King Minos of Crete who he himself is the child of Zeus. Their grandfather is Dionysus the God of wine. These girls each... Continue reading

Unique stories of Samaria gorge

Nikos Kazantzakis, the Cretan writer of Zorbas the Greek

The artful plan that enslaved Crete to the Ottoman Empire

The flag that never came down; the story of Spiros Kagiales

The bold, wild, free spirited Kri-Kri

The Martyr Yiannis Vlachos Daskaloyiannis

Raki, the true Cretan spirit!

Pendozali – Πεντοζαλι, a revolt dance with coded messages

Those tasty Cretan snails!

The True Cretan Diet

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