Blue Star Ferries new route Piraeus - Chania

Shortly after 10pm last night, the ship 'Blue Horizon' moored in Souda after it's maiden voyage on the Piraeus - Chania route.

The Blue Horizon ferry, belonging to Blue Star Ferries of the Attica Group, will travel daily between Piraeus - Chania and vice versa.

The "Blue Horizon" has capacity for 1505 passengers, 900 cars or 130 trucks and 70 cars, and has two restaurants, bars, shops, swimming pool, playground, lounge and airseats,

Ticket prices for a car start from 56 euros, foot passengers from 19 euros.

The route will run daily as follows:

Chania (Souda) – Piraeus Daily Dep. 23.00 hrs Arr. 06.15
Piraeus – Chania (Souda) Daily Dep. 14.45 Arr. 22.00 hrs


Website & online bookings:
www.bluestarferries.gr

Illegal conversions - Altered homes solution unveiled

After months of discussions, the government yesterday unveiled its plans to introduce a scheme that will allow homeowners to pay a penalty to protect illegally converted parts of their homes from demolition and channel the proceeds toward the creation of more green spaces.

Environment Minister Tina Birbili presented the details of the program, according to which owners can declare areas of homes which were originally planned as balconies, garages or basements but have since been turned into living space, known as “imyipaithroi” (semi-open) in Greek.

In return for paying a penalty, the homeowner will be given documents that will allow him or her to continue using this space for the next 40 years without threat of demolition or further fines.

The size of the penalty will be calculated according to ... continue (from ekathimerini).

Welcoming the first tourists to Chania

Platanias, Chania, welcomed the first tourist to the region yesterday with traditional music, dance and local delicacies.

The event was organised by town councilors, the president of the hoteliers' association and local residents. Visitors were offered lamb on the spit and other traditional foods.

Welcoming the guests, the mayor of Platanias George Tsagarakis, said "today we celebrate not only the opening of the new season, but also Easter and spring. We encourage you to enjoy sun, sea, natural beauty, ancient sites and get to know our history. Do not forget to taste the cuisine and wines of the island. Forget your worries and your problems, and know that we will always be here to welcome you. "

CRETE VISITORS
Thousands of visitors came to Crete for Easter, but few chose to stay in hotels. Most were guests at the homes of relatives or friends.
In Chania from Holy Monday to noon on Good Friday, according to data from the Souda Port and International Airport of Chania "Daskalogiannis", 12.700 visitors arrived in Chania, approximately the same levels as last year. However, room reservations are down by 10 to 15% and that is why many hotels have not yet opened.
The President of the Hoteliers Association of Chania, Nikos Korakas, said "The county had many visitors. Judging by the occupancy of ships and planes we have a large turnout of visitors, mainly Greeks." The majority did not stay in hotel rooms, and Mr Korakas estimated that the occupancy of city hotels was down 50% on Easter last year (perhaps due to the early date of Easter this year).

Rethymno
In Rethymnon, hotels fared worse than Chania, and many hotels remained closed over Easter due to lack of bookings.

From: Haniotika Nea

Easter Saturday and The Holy Fire

A 'miracle' that is unknown in the West
The miracle of the Holy Fire is almost unknown in Western Europe. In Protestant areas it may, to a certain extent, be explained by the fact that there is no real tradition of miracles; people don't really know in which box to place the miracles, and they rarely feature in newspapers. But in the Catholic tradition there is vast interest in miracles. Thus, why is it not more well known? For this only one explanation suffices: Church politics. Only the Orthodox Churches attend the ceremony which is centered on the miracle. It only occurs on the Orthodox date of Easter and without the presence of any Catholic authorities.

ON EASTER SATURDAY, at noon, the Orthodox Patriarch, or any other Orthodox Archbishop, enters the Holy Sepulchre in the church of Resurrection in Jerusalem, recites special prayers and remains waiting. Sometimes the waiting is long, sometimes short. The crowd, in the darkened church, repeats continually with a loud voice: "Lord, have mercy" (Kyrie eleison). At a certain moment the Holy Fire flashes from the depth of the Holy Sepulchre in a supernatural way, miraculously, and lights up the little lamp of olive oil put on the edge of it. The Patriarch (or the Archbishop), after having read some prayers, lights up the two clusters of 33 candles he is holding, and begins to distribute the Holy Fire to the multitude of pilgrims, who receive it with great emotion, accompanied with the pealing of bells, acclamations, and an unbridled enthusiasm.

Article continues (from) HolyFire.org (2008/2009)