A Day Like No Other In Maroulas
By Helen Grubner. Filed in Uncategorized |
Up yesterday before the crack of dawn and on my way to the bus station by 6.30am. I had purchased my tickets the day before and assumed the bus would depart from the Ktel Bus Station. Fortunately, just before 7.00am I thought to ask which bus would take me to Maroulas, to be told I needed to flag it down at the stop on the road up above us! I made it in time and we arrived in Maroulas 20 minutes later.
From my research online, the best description of the historical village of Maroulas I can find says it is a real time machine that takes you back to the Middle Ages, Renaissance and the Ottoman Empire, with many stops in the middle and countless lost memories.
The story of Maroulas probably starts somewhere in the Minoan Period. The remains of the Minoan settlement have been lost and the only proof that the Minoans were there is the Minoan cemetery just 700m west of the village. They say one thing is for certain: there was a settlement before the Venetian period and specifically from the second Byzantine period and on. Along with the Venetians came the towers, palaces, army barracks and wine press factories. The Ottomans bought an Eastern touch to the architecture and naturally it all meddled up with the elements of Cretan tradition.
My main reason for making the journey was to visit Marianna’s Workshop. A lady after my own heart, Marianna… born in Athens, educated in Paris, for the past 20 years, living in Maroulas, collecting all the aromatic medicinal herbs from the mountains, preparing teas, oils and creams. For me, her lifestyle is enviable!
I visited Marianna’s Workshop, made some purchases and had an amazing time exploring every corner of the village. I had wanted to eat and drink at Armos Restaurant, however, I walked the 400m up to where they are situated, only to find the gate locked. Yes, it was only 10.15am but when they advertise open from 10.00am, I would expect that to be the case, so it was a disappointment. However, walking back into the village, I came upon a shepherd herding his flock of sheep… I do love the sound of their bells ringing. I quickly snapped a couple of photos then thought to switch to video, including capturing the one wee lamb coming up the rear. I have posted the video on my Facebook Profile page as a measure to perhaps encourage more people to Like and visit my It Is All Greek 2 Me page and website.
Ultimately, late morning I walked into Taverna Katerina, announcing I was hungry. What would you like to eat and drink they asked? I said I would be happy with a Greek salad, French fries and a beer. I was served a wonderful salad of tomato, cucumber, lettuce, red onion, olives, walnuts, pomegranate seeds, cheese and croutons. With Taverna Katerina’s high position facing the sea, lovely people and delicious food, I managed to kill a couple of hours there.
Returned to Rethymno on the 1445 hours bus… the only passenger. It was a memorable day. Today I move on to the very traditional Cretan village of Anogeia for a 4 night stay.
