Weekend in Chania

THERE is so much on the island of island of Crete and we had the opportunity of exploring much of the western end and particular the Chania end at the weekend. This was not a trip organised by our senior citizen organisation, but another and exceptionally good value.

First port of call on the route to Chania was the area of Askifou, Sfakia and in particular the war museum founded by George Hatzidakis and his family following the events of 1941. Germany gained control of most of Europe and it was decided to invade Crete in the largest airborne attack ever staged.

Defending the island were some 40,000 British, Australian and New Zealand troops, as well as 10,000 unarmed troops from Greece. Some 500 Junkers planes were loaded and sent to take the island, but it was a disaster as some 90% of the first wave were destroyed. It took until the end of May before the fighting was over, but it was a mistake that Hitler never made again. The museum is a personal effort by the family and well worth the effort to see.

It was then over the mountains to the coastal area were some many troops were rescued from before returning to Chania and our hotel, and time to make personal explorations of the town. There was a surprise by the next morning, when we discovered a local market behind the hotel and there was time to explore before breakfast, and bag a few bargains.
  First point of interest today was the monastery Agia Triada, dating back of the 1600's, well preserved and maintained it was a perfect setting for photographs before going to the traditional village of Elos famous for its chestnuts. Someone in the party brought more that 20 kilos of them so they must be good!! We had a modest half kilo.
  Then it was the famous springs at Argyopolis for a cracking lunch, time to buy the famous sour dough bread at Georgeopolis some cheese at a famous maker and a break at Rethymno before returning tired and well fulfilled.