Crete is an island desired by nations for its strategic location. The beaches of Crete, rocky and sandy, attract tourism. In a previous excursion, we visited Matala Beach, one hour southwest of Heraklion.

Matala has an extraordinary sea view. It is a village with nature carved caves and a tree sculpture in a 600 year old olive tree. Its unique past extends to 2000 BC Minoan times, when it was the port of Phaistos. The following people have conquered it: Arcadian Greeks from Gortynia, Peloponnese; Roman Empire and the Ottoman Turks.

The day we went to Matala Beach, windy, turbulent sea waves made it difficult to swim. At the entrance is a tree sculpture of faces on a 600 year old olive tree. Sculptor Spiros P. Stefanakis in his anthem posted by the tree, said “The place was not made accid

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