Crete - two weeks of rest and relaxation

---

The main purpose of our stay was for rest and relaxation. We stayed at a lovely villa at Panos Stalos with terrific views out towards Chania, the sea and the mountains. It was a wonderful place to relax and unwind but by the second week we started to stir our stumps.On some mornings we drove to nearby Chania and had a leisurely coffee at a harbourside cafe followed by a stroll around the town.

Chania is delightful with narrow streets and alleyways crammed with shops and tavernas.Places worth visiting are the Central Market and its surrounding streets, the Archaeological Museum and the Naval Museum which has an interesting WW2 display.

Just outside Chania we visited the remains of the Byzantine town of Aptera and the nearby Turkish fort overlooking the sea. Wonderful views of the sea and mountains from both.

Before we came away we had been reading about Crete and the WW2 German invasion which sparked an interest in the area surrounding our villa as this is where most of the action took place. Our days out included visits to the German War Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Both were very moving. All those lost souls.

---

Photos

Aptera
Remains of a Venetian monastery

War graves at Souda
The resting place of those brave souls who lost their lives defending Crete in 1941

Commonwealth War Graves
Brave Kiwi Soldiers who fought to save Crete

Overlooking the harbour at Chania
Enjoying a coffee break