CreteDream (part18)

On 2017 I told you about a local Tavern Zorbas in Pigi. Now, after two years, we went back and I was happy to see there was two new taverns nearby. These two taverns are worth of visiting also from far. Of course all the portions are not gluten free but coeliacs won't stay hungry nor be turn away.

I absolutely fell in love with The Leaky Cauldron tavern. The staff speaks good English. The best thing is that the chef is professional and he understood the meaning of coeliac disease and gluten free diet when I shoved him the info leaflet about it. I didn't need to explain or excuse. I didn't feel like being a trouble but I felt like being a customer! We had dinner there for many times during our holiday.

Another good experience was Paprika.  This was another perfect tavern to eat well and gluten free. I have nothing but good to say about this place either.

PS. Crete is well known about its healthy diet and a bit obsessed people to its food. My travels on the island have only proved, that they are not negatively obsessed on their food. If you have a special diet, they all are only happy to find something you can eat. Coeliac disease is quite unknown in Greece and Crete. When I show my info leaflet translated to Greek and explain I am sick, not a picky one, they are very friendly and understand how important thing it is to avoid gluten. Even in Scandinavia I am sometimes turned away from the restaurants and cafes. But in Crete, in family taverns, they even invite me into the kitchen to show how they make my food that it is safe for me to eat. My recommendation for all travelling with coeliac disease in Crete is to favor family taverns and be honest with your trouble, they will feed you safe and sound. 💙

CreteDream (part17)

Crete is full of beaches. On some of them you can even swim with horses. You can find silent ones and full booked ones. If it is too windy to swim in the sea you can try out one of the few lakes.

We love Lake Kournas. This year the water was still on June - July much higher than usual and you could not see the sand beaches or enjoy about them in Kournas. It is because of the huge rains and floods Crete has faced on the last winter and spring season (climate change is here, use your brains to help it out). Still, there was pedal boats for rent and you could just go into the middle of the lake and start swimming there. Lake Kournas is a great place to spot some flora and fauna too. I never have pic there because we often go by horses but you do can get there by a car too.

The beach pictured on these two pics is Preveli Palm Beach known also Preveli palmgrove.  You can google it and find information about it. But, one thing internet doesn't seem to tell you is the fact that there is the 3rd way to access to Preveli Palm Beach. It is the most easiest one. Of course, then you won't see the spectacular view using the steep stairs provide you.

If you have no good legs and physical fitness... or you have a heart problem, I recommend you to avoid the stairs because at the end, you need to climb them back up when going home. If you want to see the view you can go there on early morning when the sun is not so hot yet and walk down the stairs just little bit to see it all. Mind our steps!

The most easiest way to go to Preveli Palm Beach is to go to Plakias that locates 10 km west from Preveli palmgrove. ??? !!! Yes, just go to Plakias and take a boat trip to Preveli Palm Beach!!!!! So simple is that! I know, I love you too! 😍

(It cost a bit but it saves you from the walking under the hot hot Crete Sun but still you can experience the palmgrove. I didn't take the boat trip but I bet the views from the sea are great and spectacular too. You can consider to stay a night or few in a small & cosy Plakias and use one day for a trip to see Preveli Palm Beach.)

No matter which country or beach you visit or do you just stay home, remember the nature. If you want to participate on practical work take a look at Archelon. Easiest way is -of course- to pay attention on your own action AND donate some money for the society via internet. On Crete Archelon has stands all over the island, just keep your eyes open. They share the information, sell few items and have a money donation box there. If you see a volunteer going a round in the blue T-shirt you can always go to talk with them.

CreteDream (part16)

Crete has plenty of gorges to go and see the beautiful nature of the island. Samaria Gorge is big and challenging. Mili Gorge is smaller and easier to see. HopOn HopOff buss from Rethymno can take you there. It is easy to go there just to walk a half kilometer and visit the tavern and have a small adventure with your children. You do need proper walking ability to go there, but you can see quite beautiful scenes just with a short walk (with long stairs).

If you are curious to see more you can walk all the way down and back. That makes for about 6 km all together. But the way back is -of course- up hill. You can also walk only down hill. At the end there's a village and you can call a taxi there to drive you back to your accommodation place; if you want to avoid walking back to up hill.

In Mili Gorge you can pay attention to its flora and fauna and discover the magic of it.

CreteDream (part15)

Crete is full of caves. On 2017 we visited IdeonCave and SfentoniCave and on 2019 MatalaBeachCaves. If you have time to see only one but would like to see something great I recommend to see MelidoniCave.  I like its lightning because it is more natural than SfentoniCave. The entrance is open so the air feels better and easier to breath (SfentoniCave has closed entrance). The cave is also much higher than SfentoniCave. Unfortunately you need a good ability to walk (also stairs) when stepping down into MelidoniCave; but it is much easier to access than IdeonCave.

Can you spot a huge man on the pic? There is his head right above the center of the pic. He has a huge body and he seems to sit and think.

CreteDream (part14)

Rethymno has few museums. They are not well adverted nor big but still they have something to show. In Rethymno The Venetian Fortress Fortezza has museums. 

Historical and Folk Art Museum -for sure- fascinates all craft lovers. It is not so big, so it is easy to go in and have a break to see what's up.

The Nekropolis of Armenoi is Minoan cemetery that locates 8 km south of Rethymno. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. Its treasures have been transferred and secured to Archeological Museum of Rethymno which too is a small indoor museum. I recommend you to see both; the nekropolis and museum.

Paleontological Museum definitely is a place you should bring all the LittlePeople who are interested about dinosaurs etc.  Again, a very small place but it is sometimes good if you want to educate children to get interested about the museums and history.

***

Here are five museums mentioned. Fortezza and Nekropolis of Armenoi can be very hot places but offer a great adventure also for school aged children. If you go to see them, remember to have a flash light to create better adventure! Notice that the prices are not high and they have also reduced fees for students and children get usually free ticket.

CreteDream (part13)

Matala Beach Caves are interesting to be seen and investigated. You need to pay few euro fee to get in. I think it is reasonable because on the other way people would go in to camp and none would be able to go and see the caves. Worth of paying and visiting.

Pack up some attitude for the filthy toilets, broken dressing rooms and huge crowds; then you'll be just fine. There are plenty of taverns and hotels which services you are of course able to use when being their customer.

It would be interesting to see this place in March or October when there are less people...

In Matala you can see beautiful street art on the walls and on the street, just look down where you walk. I think this is the best book shop advert I have ever seen!

CreteDream (part12)

Hello hello hello! I am back! From Crete! We stayed in the same house as two years ago. That proves it is good. 😊 I am not going to show you the same places I did two years ago. Only the new ones we visited.

This is The Minoan Palace Phaistos. It is very interesting place. The location is a bit isolated so it is not crowded by the tourists like Palace of Knossos. Still there are proper toilets, souvenir shop and tavern; so, you'll be just fine there.

From the palace opens up great view down to the valley. It is very hot up there but you can find few shadow places and bring your water bottle.

Kivalo

Finally I had time to sort out some pics for from a day trip to Kivalo which we made on August 2018. This time we did The Keski-Penikka Observation Tower Trail. It is short but challenging and definitely not suitable for persons who have difficulties in walking.

The trail is challenging because of the nature elements.

It do is marked through the varying nature.

You just need to seek the signs.

The signs lead you on and up.

It is challenging because of Boulder Fields. 

In Finnish we call them Pirunpelto which literally means Devil's Field. That explains how difficult they are to across. Especially if it is wet, windy, dark and you don't have proper shoes.

Where ever you are hiking you should remember the basic rules!

Up there is Kivalo Open Wilderness Hut. Remember respect the rules and bring enough water with you.

The Hut is proper enough to stay even over a winter night as long as you have brought your winter sleeping bag with you. Notice that you can't book these huts or reserve it for yourself. All the hikers are welcomed to stay in and seek shelter at any time.

There is a former fire guard's tower which has been renovated to be an observation tower.

It has quite narrow stairs so you should leave your bag down to fit trough.

The tower offers excellent views around the wilderness area.

The wilderness is wide.

There actually is Martimoaapa Mire Reserve area around.

It is the highest place around our area so the thunder has quite wild games around there. Also other elements of arctic climate stress up the trees. The area is full of interesting looking trees and you can't stop thinking how they still can be alive.

Luppioberget

If you have not heard about it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It is like a small nest in the heart of wilderness. For about 34 km south from Arctic Circle in Sweden. It is 192 meters high mountain called Luppioberget. There are no many signs for it not to mention results on internet after you have google it. But it is there. I think we can say it has always been and is not going away.

It is an excellent day trip target without small children. (There are no railings to prevent falling down.) You can get almost up by a car so despite some disabilities you still can enjoy about the stunning views.

The way up to the top is smooth but slippery when it is wet. It still is amazing how the trees can find their place to grow on the rocks.

It is a play ground of thunders and you can see it from the trees.

You can see many kind of trees and wide opening wilderness around.

The views are great...

...they open to every direction...

...and take your breath away.

You would think it's all built up from granite and man made. But the answer is no, it is all made by mysterious nature. There are several small caves too.

There are places to rest...

...cook on fire...

...and seek old hidden secrets.

It locates by the road 99 that runs by the river Torniojoki in Sweden. It is below the village Övertorneå (Ylitornio in Finnish) and there are a sign that points out to a side road which leads up to Luppioberget. It is accessible by a car up to the parking place and restaurant. If you are on a backpack travel it is reasonable connect this and Jockfall for the same day trip. Just remember to fill the fuel of your vehicle and take a picnic lunch with you. Both places have restaurants but they are quite up high with Lapland prices... EEK...

Both places have also areas to cook on fire and enjoy your backpack lunch under the open sky. So far they do have had fire woods when we've been visiting but if possible you can buy some from a gas station in the case they have ran out and you need a fire to cook your meal... or prepare your meal in the way that the fire is not necessary needed. They should have fire wood in these official fire places but sometimes some fool have used them all. Don't be a fool, always leave some for the next ones... it may get cold without.