Crete- Journey to Koutsouras

Crete

The largest of the Greek islands forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music). It was once the centre of the Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC), which is currently regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe.
The current name, Crete, is thought to be first attested in Mycenaean Greek texts written in Linear B.  In Ancient Greek, the name Crete (Κρήτη) first appears in Homer's Odyssey.
During World War II, the island was the scene of the famous Battle of Crete in May 1941. The initial 11-day battle was bloody and left more than 11,000 soldiers and civilians killed or wounded. As a result of the fierce resistance from Allied forces and Cretan locals,Adolf Hitler forbade further large-scale paratroop operations. During the initial and subsequent occupation, German firing squads routinely executed male civilians in reprisal for the death of German soldiers; civilians were rounded up randomly in local villages for the mass killings, such as at the Massacre of Kondomari and the Viannos massacres.  Two German generals were later tried and executed for their roles in the killing of 3,000 of the island's inhabitants.
Crete was not recognized internationally to be a part of Greece until December 1, 1913. (Information taken from Wikipedia)

When we got to Crete, we flew into Chania, wanting to take the opportunity to see more of the island.  We drove from Chania to the other side of Heraklion.  On our way, we saw a beautiful gorge and stopped to take a picture.  When we stopped, we met this wonderful kitten.  I decided to name him Oscar.  He became quite attached to us as we were to him.  

The gorge we stopped to take a picture of.

 On the other side of Heraklion, we decided we wanted to stop for the night.  We found this lovely piece of heaven.  Everyone at the hotel was so nice and went out of their way to make us comfortable.  We ended up staying two nights because we fell in love with the place.

 As we continued touring the island of Crete, we were taken aback at its beauty.  The area seems to be one of contrasts.  The vivid, blue water on one side and rather desolate arid land on the other.

 When we were ready to stop for lunch, we found this wonderful place.  

This was truly becoming a trip of what we call, "Happy Accidents!"

 We discovered this lovely place was only minutes away from our destination in Koutsouras.

 Views from our apartment

Our apartment, and our welcome party cat.

 We discovered another lovely waterfront area on the other side of Koutsouras

Views of Makry Gialos from our dinner table.

The coastline is not overwhelmed with hotels and high rises.  

It is a place for greenhouses and other functional uses as well as the hotels!

 Sunset over Koutsouras

 I wish we could have taken a picture of the stars, because they were vivid and numerous.  

How wonderful to see all their beauty.