From Krasi to the Lasithi Plateau

As we continued on the narrow winding road, complete with hairpin turns, from Krasi toward the Lasithi Plateau we climbed higher and higher and could see Malia bay from the top.  I mistakenly thought the plateau would be at the top of the mountains, like a tabletop.  Then we descended some ways and the road encircled the plateau.  The plateau stretches for 11 km in the East West direction and six km in the North South direction.  It is 2760 feet above sea level.  The plateau is famous for it's white sailed wind pumps, a local invention that has been used for two centuries to irrigate the land.  In the past there were 10,000, now they are nearly all abandoned in favor of modern diesel and electric pumps.  Although there is impermeable rock just beneath the surface the top soil is very fertile due to snow run off.