April 15, 2007 Departure day after 7 months and one day in Crete In the morning Valeria's, and our, trusted taxi driver, George (Giorgios), picked us up and drove us all safely to Chania airport. But on the way we just had to stop by Gero Platonos to see if our Nikos could be hugged once again before leaving. And he could be hugged! That Cretan elf-of-a-man will remain in our minds forever as a great friend without whom our 7 months in Kalyves would not have been as enjoyable as they were. There was a lot of hassle in the airport before leaving, because we had two dear dogs to be transported plus some 5 heavy suitcases plus a lot of hand-package. But it was so good to see that Annaleena was there to meet her second group of hikers this season. A fine opportunity to say goodbye to another dear friend, and to send greetings to her man, Ole! Now we want to greet, thank, show and remember some people who were very meaningful to us during our stay in Kalyves. Our best friend, Nikos. Our dear guardian spirit, Valeria. If you have any needs for accommodation, excursions, flights, etc. while in Kalyves, Valeria and her Valeria Travel will be a good place to visit. Nikos' acquaintance is here to be thanked for the healthy living (of at least the older generations) in Crete. He is 93 years old, witty in his wits, needs no help in walking... Our wine merchant in Cretan Wines is another example of Cretan longevity. Here he is sitting opposite his (and his son's) store on the sunny side, as he most often does. Our most favoured kafeneion/taverna in Kalyves was Gero Platanos, close to the church on the main square. Our relaxed man in the picture is one of the two brothers running the place. The village president - the friendly man who offered us beers when the bonfire building was jubilantly going on, and who made it possible for us to join the Easter procession to the beach with a lighted candle in Kiti's hand. Here is the "LOCAL HERO" who so generously helped us when we had problems with our car. You'll meet him in the very nice taverna O GYALOS on the Kalyves beach. The house we lived in. Even if you had some problems to give us, you were a good and safe, fenced, place for us and especially to our furry guardians, Ida and Milli. Our Ida, who had her 12th birthday in Kalyves, must be thanked for giving us great joy... ...and the same holds for our 5-year-old Milli who performed guarding duties more than profoundly during our stay in Kalyves. We are sure they'll miss some Kalyves sheep, dogs, cats, and people they cannot bark when at home in Finland. But fortunately they have our local rabbits, birds, squirrels, and neighbours to bark! And we all miss some dogs we nicknamed. Like Beard Dog (the one belonging to a very nice taverna called Potamos), King of the Road (the one living up from our house, and really governing the road), Jinglebell Dog (who tried to court our she-dogs, but failed), Ear Dog (the very big young dog in a German-Greek family)... and many others. But if there is one single dog to be named, it's Wuschi, Marianne's dear companion. And then there is the butcher's shop opposite of INKA, and the couple running it. The bookstore (likewise opposite of INKA). The bakery just some meters from the bookstore. The FARMA shop for fresh groceries, olive oil. Floppy Internet Café, DVD Planet and Media Planet with Spyros and Manolis and the girls giving us a friendly helping hand. The tavernas Mythos and Zorbas with excellent meals and friendly personnel. The KIOSK (in front of the church) with a kind owner. The personalities coming regularly to Gero Platanos and giving as a true feeling of a cefeneion. Plus so many other friendly people, including the ladies and men living close to Nikos who always had a friendly greeting to give us... Thank you. [ If you see only this frame, click here to see the complete diary ]