January in Crete...
The month of January sees Crete's White Mountains snow capped. The citrus groves are bursting with juicy oranges, tangy lemons and gorgeous grapefruits. The olive groves are alive with activity as the local Cretans are very busy olive picking - a time consuming and labour intensive activity.
Not many tourists around in January either so Crete seems very quiet but all work and no play makes Kostas are dull boy. So any opportunity to party, make music and dance, socialise, eat and drink is snapped eagerly up by the Cretans.
Here's a picture of some local children celebrating the New Year dancing in their traditional dress in
Chania Town Square.
Children Performing Traditional Cretan Dancing
Children receive their Christmas gifts from the Greek Santa Claus, Saint Basil on New Year's Day but the most important celebration in the month of January is the Epiphany on the 6th. This celebrates the baptism of Christ and also the blessing of the sea. Greece and its islands, including Crete, have always relied heavily on the sea to earn a living and the waters are blessed on this day by a priest for protection for its fishermen, navy and boat owners. Here on Crete the local priest and his congregation will gather at fishing harbours to perform the service.
Visit our sister site of Completely Crete for lots more information about the beautiful Greek Island of Crete.