THE BEST WAY TO START YOUR DAY.

An early morning swim  in the clear, calm sea is  the best way to start your day …

Next,  a walk through a symphony of wild seaside plants:

The spectaculare yellow horned poppy (Glaucium flavum, gr. kitrini paparouna, ??????? ????????? ) grows here. Like other members of its family, it contains poisonous alkaloids. 

The Latin  name Eryngium maritimum for sea holly ( Gr. ?ngathia, ???????, ??????????)comes from the Greek word ?erynggion?  ????????.  ?Maritimum? refers to the plant?s seashore habitat.  Pliny mentioned that Greeks used both stem and root as food, served raw or boiled.  The young flowering shoots  are still eaten today. They are blanched, boiled and served with olive oil, vinegar and chopped garlic or they are cooked with eggs or lamb.    The roasted roots taste like chestnut.

The sea shore is also home to thyme (thymari, ??????)….

…..and rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum, kritamo, ???????).

The name crithmum comes from Greek krithe = barley, from resemblance of its fruit to barelycorn. The leaves are mainly collected from young, tender plants  before flowering and  eaten fresh or pickled in brine or vinegar. Pickled leaves  are used in salads. Served with olive oil, they  make a balanced accompaniment to Cretan raki and ouzo.  

 And here is the perfect place for a glass of flavored iced coffee before going to work.

Yes, the early morning swim  is exceptionally rewarding.

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