The best energiser

Crete is known as a summer destination and it is mostly famous for its amazing beaches and seaside resorts. Millions of tourists visit it every year and the vast majority of them remain close to the sea. Understandable and legit, I'd say. People on vacations crave for sea, sun and relaxation and they have every right to spend the few days they have on the island, lying on a sun-bed and swimming in the sea. I have done the same thing myself, when I thought I needed it!

But if you want to say that you really got to know Crete, you have to walk on its mountains. There you'll find the true spirit of the island and you might understand its people a bit better.

The feeling of freedom in the wildness of the mountains, the rough beauty of the scenery and the (so needed) distancing from civilisation, are the best energiser for the body and the soul, at least for mine!

And the longer the trip, the better!

There used to be a clear distinction between mountain people and the ones living by the sea. Each group had its own characteristics, morals and customs and you could easily tell them apart. Now the main distinction is people in touristic areas (seaside or mountainous it doesn't really matter) versus people living away from the corruptive power of tourism. In Crete it happens that the most unspoiled areas are in the mountains and the most unspoiled people too.

I took those pictures on the 18th of April 2018 during a hiking expedition from Ziros to Zakros, two mountainous villages that share a rough but wonderful scenery, along with their common history and legacy. I have already written this post back in 2018 but I had so many pictures from that day that I though it wouldn't hurt to share a few more, with a few new thoughts to go with :)