If you are going to Bali...
by Jawnuta
Bali is a small, picturesque village between Heraklion and Rethymno. People go there usually when they buy the whole package (flight, hotel, food etc)
Bali used to be a fisherman village, but now during the summer it is a family vacation destination. There are few large hotels and many small hotels. Bali has at least 3 beaches with the largest (not too large) beach on the eastern end of the town. The most beautiful part of the town with tavernas, fisherman dock and the narrow streets is on the western end of the village.
Bali is definitely pretty place and hotels have great pools to lounge around.
Bali is also great place if you are going with children. Most of the people go there with small children so do not worry about your child to sit lonely on the beach.
As for the beaches, the water is great and child friendly but the sand is very dusty, yes dusty( a volcanic sand). You will find all your beach clothes, towels and shoes to be dirty, that is why lots of people prefer to stay at the hotel pool.
If you are stuck in Bali but would like to go to nicer beach, rent a car( there are many rental places in Bali along the main street with very small cheap cars ready to rent) or hop on a local bus to go out West. The highway will take you along the sea coast where you can find many beaches with the golden sand. All the beaches between Stavromenos and Rethymno have better sand than Bali, but expect larger waves and stronger winds. I liked Bali a lot, but since I don't have a children I quickly got tired of hearing constant crying and all that baby talk. I also wasn't very happy with the volcanic, "dirty" sand on the beach, so we stayed there only one day and moved to Matala and next to Georgioupoli beaches.
Good thing, there was no mosquito in Bali, or at least I did not see any. There is also not too many people in the water since everybody has some baby to hold on to on the beach ;-)
Check our my Bali pictures for yourself.....I have also few more tips about Bali on my Chania and Rethymno pages.
The prefecture of Iraklio
by call_me_rhia
The Prefecture of Iraklio lies between Mt Psiloritis and the Lasithiotika Mountains: it is the largest administrative division of Crete. In this prefecture you can find the island's three most important archaeological sites: Knossos, Phaistos and Malia. Other places to visit include the ancient city of Gortyn, the villages of Zaros and Fodele (birth-place of El Greco) and the beaches of Matala and Komos Most definitely the Roman cemetery at Matala: a series of holes cut into the bare rock of the nearby cliffs. Hihly spectacular - and with the added interest that in the 60ies and 70ies these holes were used as "houses" by hippies. Matala beach, by contrast, is nice but slightly crowded
Windmills of the Lasithi Plateau
by angiebabe
A major draw to the Lasithi for the many buses of day trippers is to see the 'thousands of whiteclothed-sailed windmills' which irrigate the high plain ringed by mnountains.
But there are apparently very few working windmills left. The Rough Guide to Greece says that the windmills that do still operate work only for limited periods, which apparently is mainly in the month of June.
There are many roadside taverns though that seem to have taken these windmills as marketing features adding character to their businesses.
I would recommmend the drive as very worthwhile for the scenery, a look into Cretan rural life and the number of windmills that I saw still around the plateau as impressive!!
Book for travellers
by carolinacrete
Travellers and anyone thinking of spending any extended time on Crete should find the The Living in Crete guide book really useful. (published 2006 by Carol Palioudakis). It gives lots of info such as how to find temporary work, long term accommodation, describes how the health system works and what you'll need, as well as giving an insight into Cretan cultural traditions. It also lists local associations, local Greek classes, addresses and and telephone numbers of all the government departments. A great handy reference book.
Zeus' Birthing Place
by RoyJava
Zeus was carried to Crete, to be nursed by the Goat-nymph Amaltheia. He drank her milk and when he became Lord of the Universe, he set Amaltheia's image among the stars, as Capricorn. He also borrowed one of her horns that became the famous Cornucopia, or "Horn Of Plenty", which is always filled with whatever food or drink its owner may desire. Even the spiritual ones ... Some say the suckling by a sow was near Knossos. On the island of Dia!
Today, it is a restricted haven for the endangered Kri Kri, or "Agrimi-goat", a small and rare breed of deer. It is told when a sea-storm has raged along the island, all kind of antiques has been thrown on the beach of the Dia-island, out of the depts of the Cretean Sea and its lost sunk city. An item for the visiting tourists to bring home. Take care of taking away those antiques ... it still belongs to the archaeological properties of Crete and you could go in prison for that ... that doesnot include to avoid this wonderfull Cretean island, ensured of fun and sun.
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Chapel at Saint George Monastary, Crete
Pella Restaurant, Gouves, Crete
Panagia Kira Church at Kritsa - Crete 1990
The Agios Markos Church (The Concert Hall)
