Return to Matala Beach

During the 1960/70s Matala was the not the remote small coastal beach where Zeus galloped ashore 4000 years previously with Princess Europa on his back, or even the quiet little bay that we have just visited. It was a place that was hip hop, and buzzing, where sun seeking hippy travellers, including Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Cat Stevens all pitched up and stayed whilst on the legendary hippie trail. They took up residence in the cliffside caves, which are in fact a 2000 year old Roman Necropolis, albeit not old in terms of Cretan history. There are few remains to be seen today of that colourful period apart from the odd wall painting. During that period Matala provided the hippies with an idyllic escape from an ever increasingly hectic world.

It was at Matala Beach that Joni wrote Carey.

Music is my weapon 
Peace is in my soul

I wonder what happens to "hippies" when they grow old? Perhaps they now stay at Hotel Fragiskos, in Matala, and remember their days in Crete!

Zeus

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God of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order and justice.

Zeus was the sixth child of the Titan Kronos. Kronos devoured his five previous children to prevent them from overthrowing him in the same way that he had overthrown his father, Uranus, ruler of the old gods. Zeus was born in secret in a mountain top cave in Crete, hidden well away from Kronos by his mother Rhea. 

He was raised in the cave by the goat Amalthea and the nymph Melissa. Amalthea suckled the infant and from her cornucopia came all manner of good things. The nymph Melissa also nursed Zeus and looked after him. She fed him her nourishing honey so that he would grow quickly.
When Zeus became a man he poisoned his father Kronos, King of the Titans, making him regurgitate his five siblings. His siblings then overthrew the Titans to become the new gods and goddesses.
Although Zeus was married to the goddess Hera, he also took many mortal lovers. A Phoenician princess named Europa became one of the objects of his desire. At his first sight of her he was infatuated by her striking beauty and grace. Not being one to ignore his desires, Zeus came up with a cunning plan to win her affections. He metamorphosed himself into a handsome, cute, white bull. Europa was busy gathering flowers along the shoreline, in what is today known as Lebanon, when she saw the bull. She was fascinated by its handsome appearance and gentle behaviour - she caressed and stroked him and then climbed onto his back. This was the opportunity Zeus wanted in order to abduct her,
he galloped into the sea and swam back with her to to the Island of Crete.

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Abduction of Princess Europa by Rembrandt

They came ashore on this southerly beach in Matala. They were both hot and tired, and it is here that he revealed to her his true identity. He galloped on for a few more miles until he found a large shady Plane tree near what is now the Roman ruins of Gortys, and it is here that he ravished her. As a result she became pregnant with Minos, who became the king of the ancient Minoans in Crete.     

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There is a more recent story about Matala beach, but that will have to await another time.