Experience Real Life in Innachorio

Explore life in Western Crete – Kissamos – Elafonisi

Martin Vlatos

Clearing the roads for the summer

Slowly, slowly the weather took a turn for the better in Innachorio. And the tavernas and hotels are preparing for the tourist season. But still many roads are blocked by landslides or have been washed away by the torrestial rainfall…

Marmitas on Vlatos Jazz

The opening band for this years’ season at Vlatos Jazz was Marmitas. A great mix of latin, soul, and jazz touched the ears of all assembled in the wonderful little temple in Vlatos. Finally, they arranged for better lights which…

As good as new

Yesterday the road to Milia, destroyed at some places by the storms, got their necessary repairs. One big digger and a small bulldozer worked tirelessly all day and now the road is as good as new (enter a little irony here).

Milia’s founder turns 80

Yesterday we celebrated the 80th birthday of Jacob Tsourounakis, one of the founders of Milia Mountain Retreat. He brought an old Minoan style ceramic beehive and we all ate excellent food and drank great wines. Happy Birthday Jacob, Χρονια Πολα!

The open road

In Vlatos, after the biblical storms of 2019, one house was cut of from civilization, Akisarolakkos. You could read here how that road was restored over the last couple of days. Today it was open and here is a video…

After the storms: how can Europe help us

After the storms: can the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) be of any help to restore Crete’s infrastructure? Here is some information on the Fund itself, the procedures to be followed and the latest news: The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) can…

Building bridges (part3)

After placing concrete pipes on Monday and clearing the road on Tuesday, today was the day for pouring concrete; 10m3 of it. With the help op Jorgos Makrakis, Pantelis Vaidakis and Afrim Gjonaj the job was done in a couple…

Building bridges​ (part2)

In order to proceed with the bridge to Akisarolakkos the digger had to approach from the other side of the river. To get there the road had to be cleared. When that was done the walls around the pipes could…

Buidling​ bridges (part1)

On Monday morning the restoration of the bridge to Akisarolakkos started with making the river deeper so big concrete tubes could be laid. The restoration of the bridge and the repairs of the road can be realised with generous help…

Elafonisi on Clean Monday

The Monday after carnaval is called Clean Monday. People come together, fly kites and eat octopus, shrimp, pickled vegetables and specially baked bread. This year all the people of Innachorio came to Elafonisi to celebrate clean Monday. It is something…

Akisarolakkos road

During the heavy rains the river crossing and the mountain road to Akisarolakkos collapsed. Thanks to an anonymous donation repairs start next week. Here are some pictures of the current situation.

Winter catastrophe in pictures

It rained 41 hours constantly one time this winter. And that was not the only storm that came over western Crete. I collected some pictures to give an impression of what extreme weather does (copyright to the respected owners).

Χορτα – Greens

Here on Crete is growing a lot of plants that are served as χορτα (greens) for food. All of them have different names that do not translate very well. You will recognise oregano and nettle. Here are some pictures so…

Still no help for Innachorio

Two weeks ago Innachorio was hit by torrential rain. Media from all over the world covered the collapse of the old bridge in Alikianos, local infrastructure was devastated. Now we are still waiting for equipment to clear the roads, concrete…

Catastrofe on Western Crete

In the last 2 months western Crete was hit twice by biblical rainfall causing bridges and road to collapse, isolated villages and got a lot of animals on the run. This post tries to show you some of the damages…

Topolia tunnel is open again

Following the devastating rains of last week, the tunnel of Topolia is accessible again for most traffic. Local government is repairing the damage.

Vasilopita in Vlatos

This Sunday, February 24th at 12:00 at the main church in Vlatos, the cultural society will be cutting the cake to celebrate the new year.

Cultural associations and other Inaxorio institutes meet in Vlatos

The Association of Cultural Organizations of the District of Kissamos (ΕΠΟΦΕΚ) considering Necessary communication with the Cultural Associations decided Board of Directors to be held in each residential unit our province and at the headquarters of one of the Hellenic Association for Cultural Heritage. They…

Autumn treasure

Small walk, big reward this morning. Jasmin, fruits and walnut.