I remember the times I spent with Nikos Panayiotakis, late Director of the Venice Institute, and the artist Thomas Fanourakis, and also the lengthy visits our two Nobel Laureates, George Seferis and Odysseas Elytis, paid to the town. I recall the endless discussions and trips with them to various places on Crete, from Agios Nikolaos to Faistos, Arkadi and Chania. I can vividly recall the impression the houses in Heraklion made on Elytis, with their large rooms, courtyards and gardens. Courtyards and gardens were vital in our climate. Sadly everything has been sacrificed in the name of building plots and income from rents.
