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January 9th 2006
Published: April 10th 2006
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Manchester/Crete

Monarch Airways

Arrived in CreteArrived in CreteArrived in Crete

What shall we do today?
Here we are just arrived in Crete. It's early morning and about to be a scorching day.
Left Manchester at 7.30 and it was raining.It's good to see the sun again.Had an excellent journey with Monarch Airways and left on time.The usual things applied to the flight and I suppose we all take the cramped conditions as part and parcel of modern travel.Never the less the in-flight meal was acceptable if not digestable and consisted of sausage,scrambled egg tomato and tea .After some effort that would have done credit to a trained contortionist the meal was dispatched and before we knew it the stewardess was dispensing lots of expensive drinks gifts and perfumes. I of course politely declined all offers We arrived in Crete a little earlier than I anticipated.



Today we decided to explore a little and decided a walk to the beach was a good idea.The weather was perfect for a gentle stroll between the flowers that grew in profusion on either side of the road. They just seem to grow everywhere and their scent filled the air and everwhere bees and other insect were busy pollinating and gathering pollen for the jars of homemade honey
Small VineyardSmall VineyardSmall Vineyard

Small Vineyard
that the Greek people sold as a sideline After a short spell of walking we came upon the local taverna and were made very welcome by the owner and sampled some of the ice cold beer that was on offer "paradise does exist after all". This was to be the start of something good and I may have to get used to it,somehow I think I will master it eventually. The Cretan people are a most friendly and creative bunch of people and in addition to the homemade honey for sale ,olive oil was both grown and refined locally and again was for sale.Unfortunately we ommitted to pack some into our suitcase for the return journey home.We did however go out in the evening and managed to sample some of this exellent home grown produce and also visited a restaurant where "plate throwing" was part of the evening entertainment,not from anger I hasten to add but just for the sheer hell of it and high spirits.Again a good time was had by all and I recommend anyone to try it. A walk in the garden under the grapevines was another very cool and pleasant experience.



It was
View of Crete From the WaterView of Crete From the WaterView of Crete From the Water

On our way to the Leper Colony
about the second day after I had sobered up a little bit that the decision was made that we should travel further afield in Crete and it was the mutual agreement of the party all two of us that a boat trip was to be order of the day "yes" but where to ?? Not being the best of sailors it was decided that the trip would be short and sweet and away from any tavernas.So we decided to go and visit the leper colony on an island called Spinalonga and I hope I've spelt it right.I can still hear the shriek "what do we want to go there for" and all the other questions like "are they still there?". Rest assured readers there are no lepers on the island. When we arrived on the island I expected something quite different and was surprised to hear that things were not as I had imagined. I expected something from biblical times as depicted in Ben Hur but that was not to be.I learned that it was only recently that a cure for leprosy was discovered.During the second world war Crete was occupied for some time by the Germans but the showed
The FortThe FortThe Fort

The Fort At the Leper Colony
no interest in occupying Spinalonga for some reason it carried no strategic importance so they left it alone. the last time the Island supported the lepers was as recent as the early 1900's. The lepers in residence had to support themselves ,had their own bakery,build all their fortifications and homes and got married on the island. Any children were allowed only to stay with their parents for a short period before being taken back to the mainland to be looked after by other relatives,this resulted in some tearfull partings as the children were removed never to see their parents again



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Knossos PalaceKnossos Palace
Knossos Palace

The Palace at Knossos 4500 years old
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Olive Oil Container

4500 years old


24th August 2006

the Story Line
good to hear tales of Crete. Sounds worth a visit. Pauline

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