As we approached the Dikti pass we stopped for a snack and to observe the quite ruined stone-built windmills which ground wheat until the beginning of the 20th century, and to take a break from the “hair raising” ascent to the plateau. From this spot we could see the Cretan Sea to the north, the Dikti pass, and the acclaimed Lasithi plateau, which we have learned is the only plateau on Crete where the residents live year round. The area is surrounded by mountains and while it is not that many kilometers to drive around, there are 20 separate villages. We drove to the right first as it was a little closer to the Diktaian cave and archeological site. This had been a religious site for the worship of Zeus from the middle to late Minoan period. It was in the last chamber the Rhea gave birth to the Cretan-born Zeus. Most of the remarkable finds are at the Archeological museum in Herakleion. It was a long hike up to the top of the mountain where the opening to the cave is, and of course there were no donkeys for hire as it is not yet tourist season. The cave was very well lit and did have a spiritual quality to it. After we had a lovely lunch at a café outside of the cave area. The woman made a special cheese pie for us, along with a Greek salad and huge glasses of fresh squeezed orange juice. All this for about 6 Euro and then her husband gave us a couple oranges to take with us on our travels.