When No really means NO!!

THE traditional Oxi Day (No Day) is celebrated throughout Greece in one way or another,. Because of the situation in the country at present that has brought about many changes, including demonstrations against the country, mainly by students. 

  The biggest parade here in Crete is usually at Heraklion, but we decided to give that a miss this uyear and went to enjoy the parade here in Hersonissos. It was centred around the big church, attended by council and church dignitaries, and then the parade started. Although there was no marching band, the parade assembled to packed local streets and they came in their hundreds to march through to loud music. It was great to see so many young children respecting their history, with many of them  in national costume.

Another big investment for Crete

THINGS must be picking up in the Greek economy, despite recent problems, when the Minoan Group announced that they are planning a new leisure investment of 250m Euros, and it will centre around the area of Lasithi, and by this we mean near to the proposed new airport.

  Minoan Group Plc’s operations in Greece currently centre on the development and subsequent operation of what they plan to be a new landmark for tourism in Greece. The project will include a number of small to medium sized hotels of extremely high standards, both in terms of the service offered and environmental credentials.

  It is the Group’s intention that the development and operation of the Project will be undertaken with financial and other partners of substance. These partners will include Hotel Operators who are capable of enhancing the Group’s vision of a very high quality, environmentally impeccable tourist destination with long term sustainability built in to the design and operating procedures.

  The site for the Project is the Cavo Sidero peninsula, a spectacular location extending into the Mediterranean from the North Eastern coast of Crete in the prefecture of Lasithi. The site, in the locality of Itanos, will be held on a long lease granted by the Ecclesiastical Foundation, Panagia Akrotiriani and comprises 25,000 stremmata (over 6,000 acres). It has 28 kilometres of coastline, numerous secluded bays and inlets as well as an interior with rolling hills where herbs such as thyme and marjoram are part of the natural vegetation.

  With a built footprint of less than 0.5% of the site the Project aims to preserve the landscape and leave more than 90% in its natural state and create conditions for the regeneration of vegetation.

  The history of Itanos began 5.000 years ago and the broader area is rich in archeological sites. These include ancient palaces and towns, including the partially submerged ruins of Itanos itself. Together with old tales and traditions they form a unique cultural heritage. .

In the North East of the area they have designed a project to blend in with and complement the landscape. It will be a new destination for Crete and Greece.

   The construction cost of the new project is estimated over 250 m. Euro and will be undertaken through one or more Joint Ventures with appropriate partners.

Not the reception expected?

WHAT did the German Chancellor expect when she deemed it right to visit Greece this week. If she expected flag waving - he got it, but it was Nazi flags that were waved. If she expected a warm reception she got it  from more than 50,000 in Athens, chanting slogans against her.

  There were more than 7,000 police on the streets and more in reserve, when, despite a ban of publish gatherings the Greeks turned out, mainly without violence, to pent their anger over the draconian measure that have been forced upon them.

  Police, who mounted a large security operation, stopped and searched 217 people while 24 were arrested and charged for a range of offenses. Some of those detained were stopped ahead of the rally in preventive checks while others are believed to have been involved in attacks on police who warded off youths hurling stones by firing tear gas. A couple of the detainees are believed to be linked to urban guerrilla groups Revolutionary Struggle and Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire, Kathimerini understands. Lawyers of suspected members of Revolutionary Struggle, currently on trial at Korydallos high-security prison, reportedly complained that some of their witnesses could not make it to court as they were detained by police in central Athens. Conspiracy claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to several EU leaders, including Angela Merkel, in 2010.

  The Greek prime minister got endorsements from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European finance chiefs as well as signals that the country’s next aid payment was in the offing.

  International inspectors known as the troika are due back in Athens this week after a pause that provided Samaras’s three- party with backing to continue efforts to carve out 13.5 billion euros ($17.4 billion) of new budget cuts.