When natural history is alive.

SPEAK to most people about visiting a Natural History Museum and their eyes will glaze over as they remember perhaps an earlier school trip. However the new breed of museums are far from dusty, fusty places and the Natural History Museum of Crete, on the coast road oiut of Heraklion delves into the past and bring the visitor right up to date.

  The Museum of Crete is a department of the Faculty of Science of the University of Crete (UoC). 

NHMC pursues interest in:

 a. Basic and applied research for the protection of the natural environment (geodiversity, biodiversity, endemic and rare forms of life) of Greece and Eastern Mediterranean area all contained in some excellent exhibits on three floors.

b. Management and conservation of the natural environment, geological heritage and ecosystems. NHMC is the scientific advisor of the European and Global UNESCO nominated Psiloritis geopark. NHMC has complete databases on the Cretan and Aegean natural environment and a rich digital and printed photo archive.

c. Development of botanical, zoological, geological and paleontological collections.

d. Public awareness and sensitiveness, school education and lifelong learning on environmental issues (interactive programs and workshops for schools, children, youth, and families and training seminars, conferences and lectures for general public). 

  Basically it's a real working museum that is certainly worth the effort to get to see. There is a large car park opposite rather than street parking and expect a visit to last more than an hour - especially if you have children. Every exhibit, with the exception of the Living area, is without glass and the displays really come to life because of this.

     Children will love the Earthquake simulator and will have to hold on tight as they feel the earth move, they will be well shaken before going off to see the Living area exhibits. A cafe will be coming soon and with friendly and informative staff it was a really pleasurable visit.

Marmite - Love it or hate it!

ALTHOUGH we have now been on the island for almost nine years, there are still some elements of life in the UK that we miss, mainly in the food market. There are certain items which, until recently, have been impossible to source locally.

  However in recent years more items are now coming to the market, it's still not like walking into an English supermarket, but delights such as Brown Sauce, Ribena, Marmite and even English tea are appearing on the shelves.

  There is now a English Warehouse in Agios Nicholoas less than 20 minutes from us, which as the name suggests, specialises in all things English, and they have all the delights including Hot-X buns, English cheese, Easter Eggs and even English bread, although we are more than happy with the Greek offerings from our bakery in the village.

  As the warehouse also have a web-site and links through Facebook, we can keep in touch for when certain items are brought in, and we have a shopping trip, not just to them but also to Lidl which is just another 400 metres away,

Apokories - it's all good clean fun!

APOKORIES  is three weeks before Lent, and on the first day of Lent there is Clean Monday (Kathari Deftera)- putting it simply another reason to have food and celebrate. The three organisations who have arranged this here in the village in the past had not enough money and had not raised money for this event, which is a great shame, so it was not held.

   For us the answer was simple - a short ride to the seaside village of Sissi, which was the first area that we came to on holiday many years ago.

  Here the tradition is alive and very well, it matters not who or where you are from you can enjoy the hospitality of the village and of the region - completely free. There is music down by the harbour front as well, so this year we went with some English friends, and settled by the waters edge. The event is very well organised and you go to the food area, grab a tray and your plates are filled. There is Fassouladia, a hot bean soup served with traditional flatbread. The plates were then filled with Fava (mashed split beans) Taramosalata (Fish roes), olives, traditional vegtables and then halva (sweet sesame) further down the line you take wine, beers, softdrinks and water and everything was free.

  Music, BBQ foods and then Loukomades (sweet dough) deep fried and served with honey were placed on every table, even if the people there were up dancing to the excellent music.

  

A new beginning

NEIGHBOURS Dimitri and Monica kindly invited us to the baptism of their son, also called Dimitri, another great experience. First to our local church for the official ceremony. Here the Godmother takes on special meanings and plays a great part of the ceremony. The child is bathed in the font into which is placed water and blessed olive oil. 

  Only when this is done is he dressed in special clothes for the day. It was all going well until the water part, and the youngster made sure that everybody when he was not too happy!! After all this tradition it was off to a local taverna, where guests were well fed and watered as they say. Most of the group invited were Romanians, so the music and dancing were different. Every guest at the church were handed little mementos, the family choosing a naval theme for the whole event. At the reception were specially made table decorations in the form of boats and there were special pins for everybody to wear.

  We thought as we left late that was the end of the events, but the next day the family called us when  it is traditional for the child to be bathed by the Godmother. Further food came out for all there, and even a BBQ later in the afternoon, as further friends called to add their best wishes,

Another day in the mountains

WE obtain a great deal of joy from going out on excursions with our Senior Citizens group (KAPI) Although we generally know where we are going, there are always surprises along the way. The trip this week was to Apladiana, high in the mountains, but with a coffee stop at one of our favourite villages, Fodele, birthplace of painter El Greco.
  Turning off the main highway it was straight into twisting turning rods, further and further upwards, before we eventually arrived at the taverna. We could simply not find it ourselves, no signs, no houses and no other signs of life, although it could comfortably seat 300 or even more.
   We were promised music in the form of a trio who played through the meal into late afternoon, but nothing stopped for the meal, which included rice pilaff  and lamb - then pork from the rotating grill and potatoes.
  The dancing went on through the afternoon, we went off to see the ostriches they bred, hence the feather in Pat's hair on our return.

Time for a traditional celebration!!

IT seems only a matter of weeks since the last celebration, but today was the start of Apokaries (Carnival) time in Greece, and of course there was a celebration with food and, wine and dancing - but at 10.00am!
Our senior citizens organisation (KAPI) informed us of the event in their headquarters in Hersonissoss, and off we went, not really knowing what to expect. On arrival we could smell the souvlaki (meat on wooden sticks) being cooked, and there was enough for all and a few more. Salad, bread and wine followed by cakes, and then the music and dancing started.
 It seemed to us that anybody passing could join in, which they did and it was another example of socialising and hospitality, as friends re-united. Now there are celebrations and festivities throughout the country. Apokaries is three weeks before Lent, and on the first day of Lent their is Clean Monday (Kathari Deftera) Hopefully there will be further celebrations in the village, which was not help for financial reasons last year, if it is still not happening we shall go down the coast a short ride to Sissi, which always has the event.
On this date families gather at the beach to fly kites and prepare for the forthcoming Easter period.
We have also been signed up for a day-trip next week to an area called Apladiana towards the eastern side of the island. Just to make sure there is food included in our trip - oh and some music!!

Anything you need?

LIVING in Greece over the last couple of years has certainly changed. We live in a traditional village where the traditions are still maintained, however things always change.

  When we first arrived it was usual to see a  van stop and sell fresh fish every day. Nowadays because of the financial situation we have two or even three come around. Then it was not unusual to find another van packed with household items of pots and pans. These days it's a bigger van, and it really is like stepping into a mobile shop.

  What has really changed are the continual flow of individuals who come around with a couple of carrier bags, from which they will pull perhaps socks or paper tissues, or even cans of fruit from a supermarket, but for a few cents more of course.. Another comes around with DVD's and CD disks, and of course there are the vans with local cheeses always happy for you to have a taste. Now we have people who walk aroiund with a young child in tow, visiting every shop or taverna for a hand-out, usually money or even they will be given bread or cakes.

  In the bigger towns and city of Heraklion almost every main junction there will be people to wash the windscreen or they come of the window with plastic cup in hand for change. Even at the supermarkets, they will be there, clutching a child or offering to take the trolley back for you, claiming the money for saving you the trouble!