Rethymno and Arkadi Monastery

Evan, Jeremy and Alex are sharing their stories today.

Evan

In the morning, we woke up early to a fulfilling breakfast. After breakfast, we went on a scenic bus ride facing the uninhabited island that is said to be Zeus' grave where the gods died during the winter. Then, we visited The Holy Monastery of Arkadi. Inside the monastery were many different sites such as The Bullet Tree, where you can still see a bullet from the battle between the Turks and the Greeks in 1866. We also visited the Powder Magazine, which was used for housing wine and ammunition.

It was here where the Arkadi Tragedy took place. In the Powder Magazine was where all the women, children, and the priest hid as their last cover when the Turks invaded. As the Turks found them hiding inside the storeroom, the priest lit a candle, sacrificing them and making them die as martyrs.
Another site we visited in the monastery was the main church. This is where the monks performed their rituals and prayed. As our visit to the monastery came to a close, we had the privilege to meet the priest of the monastery, Evgenios, who gave us his best wishes.

Jeremy

In the afternoon, we visited a Greek cook's workshop. There, the cook made a large piece of dough that stretched across the entire table, all from a small lump. He expertly handled the dough, working the flour and the dough without ripping it. After that, we travelled to a local restaurant and ate Greek gyros, which are sandwiches with pork or chicken and with different sauces and fillings. Gyros were voted by our group as one of the most popular Greek foods. Previously in Nafplio, our precious city in the mainland of Greece, we ate at a restaurant with gyros and everybody enjoyed them. After lunch, we went shopping in the picturesque town of Rethymno. People bought souvenirs, from magnets to small trinkets to take home.

Alex

On the way back to Heraklion, we passed the Mound of Zeus, a mountain where the Cretans believed that Zeus would sleep during the winter. The shape of the mountain looks like a face, which is why the story was created. 

Journaling on the Beach

Afterwards, we went to a beach, where some played in the cool, blue ocean and others played in the smooth sand. As the day grew older, all of us sat in the sand and worked on our journals, reflecting on our day’s adventures. 

Before we went to dinner, all of us returned to the hotel to freshen up. Dinner, served in a traditional family style, was held at a restaurant called Peskesi, where we had many delicious food including escargot, grilled chicken, pork, pork chops, and many other items. 

After dinner, we went shopping in downtown Heraklion. There were many traditional Cretan figurines, collectibles, clothing, and everyday items. Finally, after some shopping, we returned to the hotel to get some sleep for the next day.