Heraklion Favorites

Favorite thing: Throughout its existence, Heraklion has had a turbulent history. It is thought that the city was originally the port of the ancient city of Knossos. Archaeological evidence shows that the settlement named Heraklion probably arose during the first millennium BC (9th century BC), the name Heraklion comes from the Idaean Herakles, legendary founder of the Olympic Games. The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 AD by the Saracens (an Arabic Muslim people), who built a moat around the city for protection.

Favorite thing: There is excellent internet connectivity all over Crete Island - I was amazed to find good broadband even in the remotest of places - for instance in the taverna nearest the beach in Falasarna.
In one "rent-rooms" in Plakias, when I asked if they had Wi-Fi the answer was "of course"!
I was not charged for usage anywhere - but I had a small notebook for this purpose.

Hugh

Fondest memory: After an 18 year gap in visits to Crete I was amazed to be able to meet up with some local friends from past times. One man took the trouble to motorcycle 20 miles to meet me.
I won't allow a gap like that to happen again!

Favorite thing: Greek people will really appreciate if you try to speak a few words in Greek while talking to them, you will see their faces smiling, for this reason below you will find few of the main words you "have" to know when traveling in Greece:

Salad = Salata
Potatoes = Patates
Wine = Kras-si
Beer = Birra
Greek coffee = Elliniko
No sugar = Sketo
A little sugar = Metrio
Sweet = Gleeko
Juice = Xhimo
Orange = Portokali
Fruit = Froota
Cheese = Tiree
Bread = Pso-mee
Hotel = Ksenodohxio
Rooms for rent = Dohmatia
Airport = Airodromio
Port = Limani
Car = Afto-kinito
Mobile (phone) = kinito
Petrol = Benzeeni
1 = Enna
2 = Dio
3 = Tria
4 = Tessera
5 = Penday
6 = Exi
7 = Efta
8 = Ohxto
9 = Ennaya
10 = Deka
11 = Endeka
12 = Dodeka
13 = Deka-tria
14 = Deka-tessera
15 = Deka-penday
16 = Deka-exi
17 = Deka-efta
18 = Deka-ohxto
19 = Deka-ennaya
20 = Ekosi
30 = Trianda
40 = Saranda
50 = Peninda
60 = Exinda
70 = Evdominda
80 = Ohxdonda
90 = Eneninda
100 = Ekato

Favorite thing: Greek people will really appreciate if you try to speak a few words in Greek while talking to them, you will see their faces smiling, for this reason below you will find few of the main words you "have" to know when traveling in Greece:

Odos = Street
Anikto = Open
Kleisto = Closed
Eisodos = Entrance
Exodos = Exit
Signomi = Excuse me
Efharisto = Thank you
(if you are several people - being served in a restaurant or cafe:
We thank you (is better) = Efharistoomay
Good morning = Kalimera
Good afternoon, Good evening = Kalispera
Good night = Kalinihxta
See you / Hello / Hi = Yassas
How much is this? = Posso Kanay Afto?
How far is it? = Posso makria eenay?
Excuse me, where is....... = Signomi, poo eenay.......?
Do you have a toilet? = Eheeyete Too-aletta?
One room for (five) nights. = Enna domatio ya (penday) vradia
Can we see a menu? = Boroomay na doomay enna menoo
Can we pay the bill? = Boroomay na plirosoomay?
Do you speak..... = Milatay......?
English = Ag-glika ?
German = Yermanika ?
French = Gallika ?
Spanish = Hispanika ?
Japanese = Yaponayzika ?
Sorry, I don't speak Greek. = Signomi, then milow ellenica
This one = Afto
That one = Ekino
Bigger = Mega-littero
Smaller = Mikro-tero
Too expensive = Polee akrivo
...for me = Ya menna
That's fine = Andaxi
OK = Andaxi
How are you = Ti-kanis
Well / good = Kala
It's good (food, anything) = Oraya
No.....thank you = Ohxi.......efharisto
Yes = Nay
Please (not used a lot!) = Parakalo
Water = Nerroh
Fish = Psari
Chicken = Kotopooloh
Lamb = Arr-nee

4 more images

Fondest memory: Our fondest memories of our cruise on "OCEAN VILLAGE" are probably,dining on the open deck in the warm evening air and watching the sunsets every evening.
Seeing some of the sea life such as a Loggerhead turtle as we sailed out of Katakolon, giant jellyfish and Dolphins! what a treat! not forgetting the Pelicans at Mykonos

Favorite thing: This museum is next to the sea, it represents the cretan civilization from roman period till modern times. The painting you see was the first original one of Dominikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) that can be found in Crete - the 2nd came on 10 January 2005, "Baptisis".
He was born in Handakas - the old name of the city. It shows the monastery of St. Katherine of Sina, Egypt (about 1570).

Favorite thing: DON'T stay here for more than a day ,because the rest of Crete is much more worth to see!

Fondest memory: You could use it as a starting point to see the ancient part of Crete if you are interested in it.Knossos,Faistos and Gortys are near by and worth a visit.

Favorite thing: Don't miss the summer Heraclion festival,held at "kipotheatro"(garden theater).Every day a different show,from ancient tragedy,to modern famous Greek and foreign performers.The tickets vary from 12 to 20 Euro.There is also another festival,called Hiakinthia, held in the historic village "Anogeia",in July,with a more local colour.Btw some think that Anogeia is the heart of Crete ,so visit it. (one hour drive from Heraclion on the mountain Psiloritis).Good if you want to see men in black shirts,boots and moustaches!