After a few deeper dives, let’s come up for air. We’re still in Crete - not the postcard version with commercial beaches and ruins, but the other Crete. To read about it, please see the latest story: When the Mountain Spoke. Here, in addition, are a few images that made me stop and stare. Enjoy.

1. The thing on the beach

An alien spacecraft fell here years ago. No one cares ever since. The life goes on.

2. The mountain spirit

You know him already, because I featured him in the last story. Here is the colored version. It is truly the most extraordinary thing I’ve seen in Crete. You will find him near one mountain road off Xyloskalo.

3. Street toilet in Sougia

Truly rebel WC, near to the most hippie beach of the island!

4. Inside a ruined house

How did someone manage to…? That trailer is wider than the door.

5. “Here you can smoke a hookah”

6. A highland lake

Crete in August is dry. Most rivers have no water, and water sources disappear. You certainly don’t expect lakes. Then, in the high mountain, you find this.

7. The twenty-Euro greeting

The shop owner waved for the picture. Maybe he forgot he’s just received cash.

8. The panigiri

These village parties lasting till 5 a.m., with war dances soloed by men, are a must-see.

9. The elite shadow

On the hot day, I found the only shadow under this lonely tree. But I couldn’t get in - all the space was taken already by sheep.

10. Oranges on a wire

For an orange fest, a giant orange was made of smaller oranges strung on wire. I think many thousand oranges were wasted…

11. The beach no one ever goes

    

    Access only on foot. The hike is long and steep. We tried, got lost, and resigned because it was getting dark. From the top, we saw a lonely male goat taking a stroll, having the beach for himself.

12. Focus, you’ve lost again!

With tavli, time did run fast. In the end, we did not see the Knossos Palace. No time…

13. The information board

If you’re lost in the mountain, don’t lose hope - here and there, you’ll find information panels telling you where to go.

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I hope you liked my impressions.

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