Oleg Skripotska and Alexei Ovtsinin are two temporary residents of Crete who probably have some of the most interesting photos and stories to share. The duo are Russian cosmonauts and are spending the next few weeks on the island as they recovery from their latest space mission.
During an event hosted at their hotel by the local authorities of Georgioupolis, the two spoke warmly about the island, which they described as a favorite destination, and said that Crete has many advantages when it comes to restoring the health of cosmonauts when they return to earth from space.
This is the third consecutive cosmonaut rehabilitation stay based in Crete. The two cosmonauts returned to Earth on September 7 after a six-month stay on the International Space Station.
District commissioner, Stavros Arnaoutakis, welcomed the cosmonauts and said that “It is particularly important that Russian cosmonauts choose this island for their rehabilitation program. The stay of Russian cosmonauts on our island offers a wider view of Crete and of Greece all over the world and especially in Russia and Eastern Europe.”
The cosmonauts said: “Crete is a beautiful island, we viewed it from space and we’re very glad we got to visit and enjoy its hospitality and beauty.” Program coordinator, Thanassis Avgerinos thanked the local authorities, saying that the aim is for the number of cosmonauts coming to Crete to increase every year and for the island to become a rehabilitation center for cosmonauts.
The two cosmonauts will stay for 21 days in Crete. After Chania, they will settle in Hersonissos and begin the cosmonaut rehabilitation program.
