April 27-28 still in Zaros

After breakfast, we decided to take a hike around a nearby lake, but it was farther than we wanted to hike, so decided to drive to lake & hike around the lake. We somehow ended up on a small road that went from asphalt, to gravel, to dirt. It might possibly have been the original Minoan trail to the lake! We finally made it to the lake, but since it had taken so long, we had no time to hike! So ,on to a real road & the Enthnology Museum in Vori-- a small, but comprehensive museum showing farm implements, cooking utensils, clothing & jewelry from the Minoan age (2000 BC) to the 1900's. Everything presented in a very basic & unpretentious manner. Then, we walked over to Alekos Taverna for a delightful Cretan lunch with Alekos & wife. We got back to out hotel just in time for a cooking class with the owner's mother. We now know how to make dolmas, stuffed vegetables & vegetable soup! Got back to our cottage & later took a short hike up to a monastery where a very old nun gave us homemade cookies. The next day we headed out to The Phaestos Palace ruins inhabited in 2000BC

Lunch at Taverna Alekos

Cooking class with Mama Cula

Agia Paulos, Old Roman shrine converted to a Christian church in 400AD

by the Minoans. It's located on a hill with a beautiful view of the valley & coast below. We have to admit that we kind of reached the tipping point on ruins--we forgot to take even one photo! But imagine a bunch of beautiful old rocks! We went on to nearby Agia Triada, also from the Minoan period, that is thought to be the villa of some very wealthy person. Again beautiful old rocks in a great location! Took a long drive, by Crete standards, through a beautiful valley & hills on back roads that led back to our hotel. Had a lively game of table tennis before dinner. Tomorrow we leave Zaros for the coast & will be on the beach. More to follow. . .