Reclaim The Beach! Greeks Protest Against Sunbeds and Umbrellas

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Reclaim The Beach! Greeks Protest Against Sunbeds and Umbrellas
Reclaim the beach
Credit: Facebook/ Ilias Petrakis, Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches

Hundreds of Greeks on the island of Paros launched the “Reclaim the beach” protest against the uncontrolled spread of privately run loungers and umbrellas on the beaches.

More than 250 residents on Paros “invaded” the popular Santa Maria beach demanding space to put down their towels.

The campaign was the first of its kind on the island – and it is only the start, according to the Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches.

The beaches of Kolymbithres and Paros Park are the next stop in the campaign, which was spearheaded by 78-year-old Christos Gerogousis, a former school principal.

Reclaim the beaches
Credit: Facebook/ Ilias Petrakis, Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches

“We are united by the concern for the shrinking of public space and our displacement from the beaches of our country,” the Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches says.

“We are concerned about the lawlessness on the beaches of Paros by companies that exploit parts of the beaches and arbitrarily occupy the common space with deckchairs and umbrellas, far beyond the limits provided by the concession contracts they have signed.

“We defend the right of the citizens and visitors of our island to have free access to the beaches we love. The Greek summer is part of our soul, it is part of our identity: let’s not let anyone take it away from us,” the Movement says.

Reclaim the beaches
Credit: Facebook/ Ilias Petrakis, Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches

Reclaim the beach: Greek constitution guarantees free access

The Greek Constitution states clearly that the country’s shoreline is considered a public good, and Greek citizens have the right to access and use beaches any time they please.

However, no single person or company has the right to exploit a public beach or block access to any Greek citizen.

However, since the 1980s, shoreline use laws have been blatantly violated by both individuals and companies who use seaside areas solely for their own profit. It has come to the point that through the years, shoreline law violations are considered by most Greeks as actually legal.

For instance, the law says that if a hotel is built right on the beach and there is no outside access to the beach, a citizen who wants to use it has the right to walk through the hotel to get to the beach.

Although the Constitution says that Greek beaches are public property, the laws regarding coastal use are so complicated that deceitful individuals have found loopholes to circumvent them and “privatize” public beaches for their benefit alone.

The law stipulates that a business leasing beach space is required to leave 50 percent of the area unoccupied in order to allow access to those who do not wish to pay for special beach services.

The business is also required to leave a 5-meter gap between its amenities and the sea, as well as maintain a distance of 100 meters from similar seaside ventures.

At the same time, Greek legislation does not allow for the placement of sound systems or music at volumes in excess of the 50-decibel mark. Of course, that’s all a far cry from the reality at many of the country’s beaches.

The most frequent transgressions are not maintaining the required distance from the sea, occupying more beach space than permitted, as well as failing to maintain a distance of 100 meters from the next beach business.

Related: Parts of Nammos Club in Mykonos Closed Down by Greek Authorities

Ancient Winepress that Depicts Greek Gods Discovered in Israel

Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi
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Ancient Winepress that Depicts Greek Gods Discovered in Israel
winepress israel byzantine greek gods
Ancient Byzantine-era winepress discovered in Zippori National Park. Credit: Zvika Tzuk/National Parks Authority of Israel

Excavations in Zippori National Park, Israel, recently revealed Byzantine-era winepresses and structures, one of which has a mosaic depicting what appears to be a wine-drinking contest between the Greek gods Dionysus and Heracles.

The site of the Zippori National Park has many well-preserved mosaics, many of which are found in the Dionysus House. They depict the life of Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility and of wine, with scenes of celebration with music, drinking, and dancing.

The area of Zippori was home to many diverse cultures in the 4th to 7th centuries AD, including a mixed pagan, Christian, and Jewish community. For this reason, archaeologists do not anticipate learning what specific society was responsible for building the wine presses.

israel byzantine greek winepresses
Wine drinking contest between Dionysus and Heracles. Credit: Zvika Tzuk/National Parks Authority of Israel

Winepresses in Israel depict Greek gods

The two winepresses were discovered inside a large five-arched water cistern and are located about 200 meters outside of the town.

The winepresses are considered to be unique finds since they are the only ones from antiquity discovered that were built inside of a covered water reservoir.

National Parks Authority archaeologist Dr. Zvika Tzuk explained, “This wine press was found in the largest of two arched-reservoirs in the Zippori National Park, which are part of the impressive water system at the site, including long aqueducts that provided water to the ancient city of Zippori,” The Times of Israel reports.

Other Byzantine-era Greek finds in Israel

The winepresses discovered in Israel are not the first Greek Byzantine-era archaeological finds to have been discovered in the country.

A Byzantine era coin showing Emperor Heraclius on one side and Golgotha, the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion—along with a complete winepress — was unearthed in late August outside Tel Aviv, Israel.

Both the 1,400-year-old currency and the wine press, which has mosaics on its floor, date back to the Byzantine period in Israel.

The 1,500-year-old settlement in which they were unearthed is located in what is now the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Ha-Sharon.

Archaeologists say that the large wine press clearly shows that the site was a center of agricultural-industrial activity during the Byzantine period. Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) also unearthed the foundations of a large structure that may have served as a warehouse of some kind or perhaps a farmstead.

Excavation leader Yoel Arbel states “Inside the buildings and installations, we found many fragments of storage jars and cooking pots that were evidently used by laborers working in the fields here.”

“We also recovered stone mortars and millstones that were used to grind wheat and barley and probably also to crush herbs and medicinal plants,” added Arbel.

The Story of Greek Ice Cream: The Essential Summertime Treat

Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi
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The Story of Greek Ice Cream: The Essential Summertime Treat
Greek ice cream
Greek ice cream sellers. Credit: Public Domain

Everyone loves ice cream, especially on hot summer days. So what is the history of ice cream, the perfect summertime treat, in Greece? How did it find its way to becoming a central part of Greek summertime culture?

The three major ice cream makers in Greece are Evga, which was bought out by Unilever; Delta, which has been bought by Nestle; and Kri Kri, the only purely Greek company with headquarters in Serres, Greece.

Long ago, however, there were other Greek ice cream companies, such as Agno Dairy SA, which started operations in 1950 in Thessaloniki as the first industry pasteurization and milk bottling company in northern Greece.

In the late 1990s, Pure became a pioneer company in ice cream with a modern factory boasting the latest technology and equipment.

However, by 2003, the company had acquired too much debt and the Agricultural Bank of Greece stepped in and took over the company, transferring Pure to Kolios SA.

Now that you have some perspective on the rise and fall of the ice cream empires in Greece, let’s take at look at the history and aspects of those still standing that have helped keep them in business over the decades.

Ice cream companies revolutionized dairy industry in Greece

Evga started the craze of ice cream on a stick in Greece in 1936, as they were the very first to make the delicious treat in that form in the country.

Generations upon generations of Greeks remember Evga while they were growing up, as it is the company that changed ice cream altogether after being established in 1934 by the Souraka brothers, who were Greek-American immigrants to Athens.

By producing pasteurized cow’s milk, the brothers sparked the beginning of the dairy industry’s industrialization in Greece.

The streets quickly flooded with ice cream lovers, as in 1936 there were no refrigerated ice cream trucks cruising the streets. When the vendors passed out the frozen treat, they had to be sharp about it before the precious ice cream melted.

Back then, street vendors only had wheelbarrows filled with ice. Thus, the profession of “pagotatzi” came about with ice cream vendors wearing a white apron and cap when traveling through the neighborhoods with their famous three-wheeled carts.

Of course, as modern technology advanced, ice cream has ended up in your supermarket freezer section or loaded into musical ice cream trucks. The charm of the wooden carts, however, has unfortunately been lost in that process.

Other brands enter the market

The dairy dynasty of the Daskalopoulos family, who created the dairy company Delta in 1890 from a small dairy workshop in Exarchia, Athens, was late to join the ice cream craze.

By the time they decided to enter the market in 1967, Evga was quite dominant in the ice cream industry, but that didn’t stop Delta.

In fact, by 1979, Delta had acquired an impressive position in the category of fresh milk in Greece and one year later, in 1980, it became the leader in the ice cream market in Greece.

Between 1996 and 2000, Delta carried out renovations and expansions of its ice cream factories, and in 2006, it sold 96.53 percent of the total shares in Delta Ice Cream to Nestle.

Kri Kri, the one remaining Greek ice cream company that is controlled by Greeks, saw its first sales in 1954 under the guidance of founder George Tsinavo when the company decided to undertake the simultaneous production and distribution of ice cream and confectionery in the city of Serres.

The first ice cream distributions made by vendors used special chests made of wood and metal, weighing about thirty pounds each, while the capacity was about forty pieces of ice cream per chest.

The very first ice cream created by Kri Kri was “Cassata,” a special cream based on sheep’s milk that was rich in flavor.

By the 1960s, Kri Kri put its first modern-day ice cream freezer on the market in Serres.

By 1971, the ice cream product had become well-known outside of Serres, as well.

In 1987, George’s son, Panagiotis Tsinavos, expanded the factory and facilities of Kri Kri and that same year, the company’s ice cream product line became available all over Greece.

Today, it remains the only Greek-owned ice cream company and exports ice cream to twenty-two countries.

Ice cream has been popular in Greece for centuries

How long have the Greeks had a love affair with ice cream? How about since at least one hundred years before Alexander the Great?

In fact, ancient Greeks were attracted to “ices” as early as the fifth century BC.

In those years, ices were actually honey and fruit-flavored snow, and they were wildly popular among Greeks in Athens’ central market, spreading quickly throughout the Aegean world.

Alexander the Great, born in 356 BC, reportedly ate his share of ices while growing up as the son of the king of Macedon, Philip II. According to legends which have survived to this day, his favorite ice was flavored with honey and nectar.

Discover the Hidden Beauty of Leros Island

Gabi Ancarola
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Discover the Hidden Beauty of Leros Island
Leros
Leros. Credit: Robert Powell/ Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

Located between Patmos and Kalymnos, Leros is a stunning island in the Dodecanese. The island is relatively small and isolated, and well worth discovering.

Its position on the Aegean makes it a perfect destination for those wanting to discover more than one island at a time.

Frequent ferry routes allow you not only to reach Patmos and Kalymnos, but also the tiny Lipsi, Kos, or Rhodes.

Greek mythology tells us that Leros was the place goddess Artemis would choose for hunting, due to the quantity of wild deer there.

Unspoiled and relaxing, the island has plenty of bays and coves for those seeking complete isolation and tranquility.

Lush green valleys combine with a dry hilly landscape, and breathtaking cliffs hang over the sea.

Leros is home to unspoiled beauty

Leros
A yacht off the coast of Alina on Leros. Credit: Robert Powell/ Wikimedia Commons/CC by-SA 3.0

The ancient capital of Leros, Platanos, is located against the hills, right next to the village of Agia Marina.

Platanos owes its name to an ancient plane tree dating back to 1765 there. A must-see landmark of Leros is the impressive Medieval Castle of Panteli, built during the 11th century.

Other spots that shouldn’t be missed include the Turkish baths, and the church of Agia Paraskevi, the ancient cathedral of the city.

Platanos is home to countless well-preserved neoclassical buildings that are still standing and are worth a visit.

Among them are the governor’s house and the public market, as well as the town hall and the public library.

A walk along the narrow paths allows visitors to discover many traditional Greek cafés, water fountains, and iconic windmills.

Also, the village of Lakki deserves some attention. This coastal town is nothing like what you would expect from any Greek harbor.

Visitors will find a well-planned settlement built in the architectural style known as Italian razionalismo, which was popular in the 1930s.

Lakki’s original name was Porto Lago and its large natural bay was the feature that attracted the Italian occupying forces at the beginning of the 20th century.

Porto Lago remains today as a tangible evidence of the Italian attempt to convert the Dodecanese into a satellite of Italy.

Over the last decade or so, the island has developed as a diving destination, attracting people eager to discover some of the many ancient shipwrecks that have been found in the surrounding sea.

Leros is also a great destination for hiking fans, and beautiful trails take the visitor to special spots, such as the Lighthouse.

To reach the island you can choose a ferry departing from Athens. However, Leros also features an airport that allows you get to Athens, as well as other islands, in less than an hour.

World’s Biggest Permafrost Crater Thaws Due to Climate Change

Nisha Zahid
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World’s Biggest Permafrost Crater Thaws Due to Climate Change
The Batagaika crater, also known as the 'gateway to the underworld,' poses a serious threat to the region.
The Batagaika crater, also known as the ‘gateway to the underworld,’ poses a serious threat to the region. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

The Batagaika crater in Russia’s Far East is posing a serious threat to cities and towns in the northern and northeastern regions of Russia. This crater is not ordinary; it’s the most giant permafrost crater in the world.

Unfortunately it’s starting to thaw, which has scientists pretty worried. They’re calling it a “mega slump.” The huge crater is made of frozen ground, but its melting is a big deal because it can cause the ground to collapse and sink, which can be dangerous for the people living nearby.

What is a permafrost crater?

A permafrost crater is a type of crater formed in the ground that stays frozen at or below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) continuously for at least two years. This frozen ground is a mix of soil, rocks, and sand, all held together by ice.

Permafrost is most commonly found in areas close to the North and South poles and covers large parts of the Earth. Surprisingly, almost a quarter of the land in the Northern Hemisphere has permafrost beneath its surface. It’s worth noting that even though the ground remains frozen, the regions with permafrost aren’t always covered in snow.

Gateway to the underworld

The Batagaika crater, stretching one kilometer long, is nicknamed the “gateway to the underworld” by the nearby residents. This massive gash in the Siberian landscape first emerged in the 1960s due to deforestation in the area. As a result, the ground lost its frozen ice, causing erosion and the land to sink.

A local resident and crater explorer, Erel Struchkov, explained that the locals call it “the cave-in.” Initially, it appeared as a ravine in the 1970s. However, with the heat of sunny days causing the frozen ground to thaw, it expanded over time.

The locals have been closely observing the crater’s growth, and they’ve noticed it’s expanding rapidly. Just two years ago, the edge of the crater was around 20-30 meters away from a certain path, but now it has moved much closer.

Why is the crater melting?

According to a report, Russian scientists have found that the country is warming up at least 2.5 times faster than the rest of the world. This rapid global warming is causing the once-frozen tundra, covering about 65% of Russia, to melt.

Nikita Tananayev, a lead researcher at the Melnikov Permafrost Institute in Yakutsk, considers the expansion of this slump a dangerous sign. The impact is visible as roadways are buckling, houses are splitting apart, and pipelines are being disrupted.

The situation is worsened by vast wildfires growing more intense lately. These wildfires are making the problem even worse. Tananayev warns that with rising temperatures and increasing human activities, more mega-slumps will form until all the permafrost is gone.

Although the exact expansion rate for the Batagaika crater is unknown, Russian scientists have discovered that the soil beneath, which can be as deep as 100 meters in some areas, holds a massive amount of organic carbon.

As the soil thaws, this organic carbon is being released into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases, further adding to the planet’s warming. According to Nikita Tananayev, “With an increasing air temperature we can expect (the crater) will be expanding at a higher rate.”

Greece Clinches Semi-final Spot in Water Polo World Championship

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Greece Clinches Semi-final Spot in Water Polo World Championship
Greece water polo
Greek players celebrate the win against Montenegro on Tuesday. Credit: World Aquatics

Greece overcame Montenegro 10-9 to secure a place in the semifinals of the water polo World Championship taking place in Japan.

The team of Thodoris Vlachos secured the victory in the final seconds of a thrilling game to win  a place among the four best teams in the world, where it will face the winner of the Italy-Serbia match for a place in the final.

The game against Montenegro was a cliffhanger from start to finish, with Greece in control and leading for most of the match.

In the final minutes, the score was tied, with the Greek team performing great defense, but unable to score the winning goal. Finally, with 57 seconds to go, Skoumbakis scored a terrific goal to make it 10-9 and send Greece into the semifinals.

Montenegro had a great chance to send the game to penalties, but the ball hit the post, sparking huge celebrations from the Vlachos team.

Greece has a long tradition in water polo

Greece has a long tradition of strong presence at the international level, with their major successes being the three bronze medals won at the World Championship in 2005, 2015 and 2022.

Last year Greece won the bronze medal at the water polo FINA World Championships held in Hungary after beating Croatia 9-7.

Greece, which narrowly missed the final after losing to World Champions Italy 11-10, put up a stellar performance to outclass Croatia and claim another medal in international competitions.

Greece has participated 16 times at the Olympic Games, always present in the tournament since 1980.

Their best result is the 2nd place at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, after losing 13–10 to Serbia in the gold medal game. The Greeks have secured a quarter-finals presence in six occasions.

The Greeks have also won a silver medal at the World Cup in 1997, three bronze medals at the World League in 2004, 2006 and 2016, as well as one silver (2018) and four bronze medals (1951, 1991, 1993, 2013) at the Mediterranean Games.

Moreover, they have closely missed a medal in the 2016 European Championship, the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2003 World Championship and the 1999 European Championship, ending up in the 4th place in all four of them.

Greece is one of only nine national teams in the world to have won (at least) a medal in the World Championship, currently occupying the eighth place on the medal table, one above Germany.

They have qualified at least for the quarter-finals in all their World Championship participations since 1994, winning the two aforementioned bronze medals and never finishing below 6th place from 2001 onward.

 

Greece at ‘War’ with Wildfires Raging for More than a Week

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Greece at ‘War’ with Wildfires Raging for More than a Week
wildfires Greece
Flare-ups on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu, and Evia keep firefighting forces on high alert. Credit: AMNA

Several wildfires are raging in Greece as a third heatwave is moving in with temperatures forecast to climb to 44°C (111.2°F) on Tuesday and Wednesday in several parts of the country.

The wildfires continue to burn on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu, and Evia.

On Rhodes, in the southeastern Aegean, the weeklong blaze that has prompted massive evacuations, including thousands of tourists, picked up overnight in the areas of Gennadi and Vati in the southeast.

The situation was also described as being particularly challenging in Malonas and Massari, a bit further north.

Meanwhile in southern Evia – an area that has seen more than its share of fires – residents in Platanistos and Potami were ordered to evacuate to the coastal town of Karystos at around 2 a.m. as the blaze flared up, while in Corfu there were fresh flareups in the area of Palia Peritheia, on the Ionian island’s northwestern tip.

Two aircraft are assisting the ground forces operating in Karystos, and they are expected to increase.

The fire continues to burn in Corfu where, according to the fire department, there were flare-ups in the area of Palaia Perithia.

Strong ground forces and four aircraft and a helicopter are scrambling to put out the fires, and they are expected to be reinforced with more airplanes.

“We are at war” with wildfires, Mitsotakis says

An average of 50 new wildfires have broken out daily for the past 12 days in Greece, according to government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis. Over the weekend 64 new blazes were recorded.

“All the government’s efforts are focused on the safety of citizens and visitors and the protection of human life,” Marinakis said, stressing that an estimated 19,000 people in Rhodes had been moved to safe locations, of which 3,000 were transferred by boat.

“It was the biggest evacuation effort in the country. People of advanced age and people with disabilities were transported in Hellenic Police vehicles, while the majority of citizens and tourists were transported in tourist boats, coast guard vessels and private boats commandeered by the coast guard,” he said.

Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a debate in parliament declared: “We are at war – completely focused on the fires.”

“Over the coming days and weeks, we must remain on constant alert,” he said, highlighting the threat from climate change, which he added “will make its presence ever more felt with greater natural disasters throughout the Mediterranean region”.

Warning of an extreme risk of wildfires in Greece

Meanwhile, Greek authorities have issued a warning of an extreme risk of fire (risk category 5) for the island of Crete and the islands of southern Aegean, including Rhodes.

Risk category 4 has been issued for the following areas:
– Attica
– Central Greece
– North Aegean (Samos, Ikaria)
– South Aegean (Karpathos, Kalymnos, Kos)
– Thessaly (Larissa, Magnesia)
– Crete (Chania)
– The Peloponnese
– The Ionian Islands
– Western Greece

Boomerang Meteorite: 1st Space Rock to Leave Earth and Return

Nisha Zahid
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Boomerang Meteorite: 1st Space Rock to Leave Earth and Return
Scientists unravel the mysteries of the boomerang meteorite, NWA 13188's cosmic adventure
Scientists unravel the mysteries of the boomerang meteorite, NWA 13188’s cosmic adventure. Credit: Cheryl Colan / Flickr / CC BY-NC 2.0

A dark reddish-brown boomerang meteorite found in the Sahara desert in Morocco seems to be a rock from our planet that got thrown into space and then came back home after thousands of years – and surprisingly, it’s still in one piece!

If the scientists are correct, they’ll officially call it the first meteorite that “boomeranged” from Earth. The researchers who made this discovery shared their findings at a conference about rocks and chemicals from around the world.

“I think there is no doubt that this is a meteorite,” said Frank Brenker, a scientist who studies rocks at a university in Germany. He wasn’t part of the team that found the stone, but he believes it is indeed from space. The only thing up for debate is whether it originated from Earth.

Chemical makeup of the peculiar rock

In the early diagnostic tests, the peculiar stone has been found to share a similar chemical makeup to volcanic rocks found on Earth. However, what’s intriguing is that some of its elements have been changed into lighter forms.

These lighter versions are known to appear only when they interact with powerful cosmic rays in space. According to geologists, this is one of the two crucial pieces of evidence supporting the claim of the rock’s journey beyond Earth.

The concentrations of these lighter elements, known as isotopes, were too high to be explained by processes happening on Earth, said Jérôme Gattacceca, a geophysicist from the French National Centre for Scientific Research. He is leading the investigation of this unusual meteorite, officially named Northwest Africa 13188 (NWA 13188).

Gattacceca and his team strongly believe that the rock was initially thrown into space after an asteroid collided with Earth around 10,000 years ago. While volcanic eruptions can also propel rocks to great heights, geologists argue that this possibility is highly unlikely to explain the recent findings.

Even the rocks ejected from the record-breaking Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai submarine volcano last year reached a peak of 36 miles (58 kilometers), which is still well below the edge of Earth’s atmosphere. In contrast, the meteorite seems to have traveled much farther beyond this threshold.

Evidence of boomerang meteorite traveling through Earth’s atmosphere

Once the rock NWA 13188 was flung into space, it ventured beyond Earth’s protective layer, leaving it open to galactic cosmic rays. These cosmic rays consist of high-energy particles originating from distant exploding stars and zip through our solar system at incredible speeds.

They tend to bombard meteorites and leave unique, identifiable isotopic marks like beryllium-3, helium-10, and neon-21.

In NWA 13188, the levels of these elements are higher than what is typically found in rocks on Earth but lower than in other meteorites. This suggests that this fascinating rock might have orbited around Earth for approximately 2,000 to tens of thousands of years before re-entering the atmosphere and returning to the ground.

The second essential clue that indicates the rock’s journey to space is the glossy, melted surface known as a fusion crust. This crust forms when space rocks rapidly travel through Earth’s atmosphere during their trip back to the ground.

More details about boomerang meteorite

Gattacceca’s team is still working on determining the age of the meteorite, which is a crucial piece of evidence for its origin.

The rock has been classified as an ungrouped achondrite, a type of meteorite usually aged at 4.5 billion years—the same as the age of the solar system. However, if NWA 13188 is genuinely an Earth rock, it must be much younger.

Another significant concern is the absence of a relatively young impact crater on Earth that aligns with the proposed timeline. Gattacceca and his team have calculated that if a 0.6-mile (1 km) wide asteroid hit Earth 10,000 years ago, it would have created a crater approximately 12.4 miles (20 km) wide.

However, none of the 200 known impact craters on Earth with the required size are younger than millions of years.

Potential impact craters detected on Earth

In the Sahara desert, where NWA 13188 was discovered, there are 12 craters, but only one of them has a diameter of 11.1 miles (18 km) and is estimated to be at least 120 million years old, according to the Earth Impact Database, which keeps track of confirmed impact craters on our planet.

While there are several potential impact craters in Africa that are yet to be verified, critics argue that overlooking a 10,000-year-old crater would be highly unlikely. Ludovic Ferrière, who has identified and confirmed a few impact craters, including one in Congo, explained that a very recent impact crater would undoubtedly have been detected.

When asteroids hit the ground, they transfer their energy, leading to extreme local pressures and temperatures that cause Earth’s rocks to melt. If a large and recent crater existed, the rocks within it would still be hot, making it difficult to miss such evidence.

Top Five Destinations in the Peloponnese

Joanna Kalafatis
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Top Five Destinations in the Peloponnese
Destinations in Peloponnese
An alley in Monemvasia, Peloponnese. Credit: Joanna Kalafatis

More and more travelers are discovering the gems of the Greek mainland, and most of all, the beautiful destinations of the Peloponnese.

So what are the top five destinations travelers are flocking to in the southern Greek peninsula?

Monemvasia, The Oldest Castle Town in Europe

Monemvasia: An emerging destination in Greece
Monemvasia from above. Credit: Joanna Kalafatis

Many travelers don’t associate Greece with castles, but in fact, the oldest continuously inhabited castle town in all of Europe is in Greece: Monemvasia!

This stunning historic city of the southeastern Peloponnese is about a four hour road trip from Athens. Cars are mostly not allowed within the castle walls, so most tourists either stay in the town itself or just over the pedestrian walkway from the mainland.

Travelers leave their cars behind and lose themselves in the stone alleys amongst the medieval, Byzantine, and Ottoman buildings of Monemvasia. The town is right by the sea, so on hot days, it’s easy to take a dip in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

Areopolis and Mani—Top Local Destinations in the Peloponnese

Areopolis Sunset in Mani
Sunset in Aeropolis, Mani. Credit: Joanna Kalafatis

Greek travelers have been flocking to the rocky peninsula of Mani for years. Lately, international tourists have discovered the unique culture of Mani, as well, in addition to its crystal-clear, blue waters and isolated beaches.

The main city of the Mani peninsula is Aeropolis. With many stone buildings and alleys, Aeropolis resembles something out of an old fairytale.

However, there are many things to do outside of the city, as well. Guides run boat tours that explore the Caves of Diros (Spilaia Dirou). Tourists can walk around small villages featuring traditional Maniot architecture. Lastly, foodies should grab a meal at one of the seafront tavernas at Limeni, featuring fresh seafood right on the beautiful Mani coast.

Methoni, The Former Venetian Fortress

Methoni in Messinia, Peloponnese
The old town of Methoni, Greece. Credit: Joanna Kalafatis

Located on the far southwestern corner of the Peloponnese, Methoni used to be a Venetian fortification. To this day, tourists can walk around the giant Venetian fortress left in the town of Methoni and learn about the town’s history.

Nearby Koroni also has its own castle, and both towns have scenic shops, tavernas, and streets that tourists will enjoy exploring.

Water sport enthusiasts also love the area surrounding Methoni, as it offers great opportunities for windsurfing and water skiing.

Pylos, An Old Town Enjoying a Renaissance

Pylos
The bay at Pylos, Greece. Credit: Flyax/CC BY-SA 3.0

Formerly known as Navarino, Pylos has been enjoying a renaissance as a top Peloponnesian destination in recent years. Thanks in part to the construction of the gigantic luxury hotel complex of Costa Navarino, tourists are flocking to this charming town in Messinia.

Pylos and the surrounding towns feature beautiful seaside walks and eateries. Tourist-friendly beaches, including Glossa Beach and Romanos, are located quite close to town.

Adventurous travelers also love to explore Nestor’s Cave and the beach of Voidokilia. The latter is one of the most Instagrammed spots in Greece, thanks to its unique layout. A narrow strip of land between two turquoise bays, the best view of Voidokilia requires about a half hour hike up the nearest hill.

Feneos—Traditional Mountain Towns of the Peloponnese

Lake Doxa in the Feneos area of the Peloponnese
Lake Doxa in the Feneos region. Credit: Joanna Kalafatis

For tourists looking for a fall or winter escape in Greece up in the mountains, Feneos might be the place to go. Located in the northern Peloponnese, the area is famous for its small traditional mountain towns, as well as its locally-grown food.

Popular nearby sights include the scenic Lake Doxa and the Virgin of the Rock Chapel, built in an opening in a rock wall.

Active travelers will love the area’s hiking trails, kayaking, and even skiing in the winter. Visitors should buy some of Feneos’ delicious locally-grown lentils for which they are famous.

Of course, many other top destinations in the Peloponnese belong on every traveler’s bucket list, but these are some of the most beautiful.

Rare Piranha-like Fish with ‘Human Teeth’ Caught in Oklahoma

Abdul Moeed
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Rare Piranha-like Fish with ‘Human Teeth’ Caught in Oklahoma
Rare Piranha-like Fish with ‘Human Teeth’ Caught in Oklahoma
Rare Piranha-like Fish with ‘Human Teeth.’ Credit: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)

A young boy in Oklahoma made an unusual discovery – a fish that looks a lot like a piranha but has teeth that strangely resemble human teeth concealed within its fishy mouth.

The fish, identified as a pacu, was caught by Charlie Clinton in a pond near his home on July 15. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) shared this intriguing find on their Facebook page.

Pacu is a term used for various fish species belonging to the Serrasalmidae family. These fish are originally from South America and share a close relationship with piranhas, having a similar body structure and sharp teeth.

When people keep pacus as pets and later find them too large for their tanks, they sometimes release them irresponsibly into local ponds and rivers in the U.S., according to ODWC officials.

‘Pacus are harmless to humans’

The ODWC officials mentioned that while the specific type of pacu caught by Clinton remains unidentified, pacus, in general, can grow to about 3.5 feet (1 meter) in length and weigh up to 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

Although they may resemble piranhas, pacus pose no threat to humans. The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) explains that their unique teeth, which look surprisingly similar to human teeth, are likely a result of their diverse diet.

These fish are omnivorous and consume a variety of food, including small fish, hard-shelled crustaceans, and the fruits and nuts of freshwater plants.

Pacu plays an essential role in their native ecosystems as a keystone species. Their waste serves as a natural fertilizer for freshwater plants and helps in spreading their seeds, according to AMNH.

However, when pacus are introduced to new environments where they don’t naturally belong, like many other invasive species, they can have harmful effects on the local ecosystems.

Dumping pets into water bodies is detrimental to the native wildlife

ODWC representatives emphasized that the act of discarding unwanted pets into water bodies can be highly detrimental to native wildlife. These exotic and invasive pacu species have the potential to cause harm to our local ecosystems.

As a precautionary measure, anglers are encouraged to take action and remove pacus from rivers and ponds whenever feasible, said ODWC officials.

Back in 2018, an 11-year-old named Kennedy Smith made a catch in an Oklahoma lake – a pacu weighing approximately 1 pound (0.5 kg).

During the attempt to take the fish off the hook, it ended up biting her grandmother’s finger. However, the human-like teeth of the pacu didn’t cause significant harm, as reported by USA Today.

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