With more than 100,000 social media followers, the shepherd’s traditional way of life in Crete’s White Mountains has attracted international attention.

Giannis Papasifakis, a Cretan shepherd who has become a social media sensation by sharing glimpses of his daily life in the mountains of Crete, is the subject of a special feature by the BBC.

In an episode of The Travel Show entitled Guardians of Crete, the British broadcaster profiles the shepherd, who is carrying on his family’s long-standing tradition of livestock farming.

For several months each year, Papasifakis lives in a mitato, a traditional stone shelter used by shepherds, in the White Mountains at an altitude of around 1,800 metres, above the village of Anopoli in the Sfakia region of southern Crete.

As reported by flashnews.gr, life there is a world away from the comforts of the city. His daily routine involves tending to his sheep, making cheese and dealing with the challenges of living in the mountains.

Essential supplies are transported to the shelter, sometimes with the help of mules, while solar panels provide the electricity he needs.

Despite spending much of his time in such a remote setting, Papasifakis has built a substantial online following. More than 100,000 people follow him on social media, where he regularly shares photographs and videos documenting his life in the mountains.

As the BBC feature points out, even when he sits down to eat, as many as 1,200 people may be watching him live online.

Through the feature, the BBC offers viewers a glimpse of a different side of Crete, far removed from the island’s bustling beaches. Instead, the focus is on the everyday lives of those who continue to keep the White Mountains’ centuries-old shepherding traditions alive.