JJ's Crete Page 3 of 3

Impressive Mountain Towering Above
Top and Start of Gorge
Photographer: A. Hawkins

Going Down into the Gorge
Start Height is 1250m and 13km to Iron Gates
Photographer: A. Hawkins

Crossing the River Samaria
We cross and recross many times
Photographer: Len Banister

For those wanting, or needing, the exercise a ramble was on offer each day of the holiday. 37 of us took the opportunity to walk the Samaria Gorge, reputed to be the longest gorge in Europe. Leaving at 7 pm a coach took us up into the White Mountains and the Omalos Plateau to begin the 11.3 mile (18 km) descent through the gorge to reach the sea at Agia Roumeli. Followed by a boat trip and then a coach ride back to Chania, that day will be an enduring memory.

Gorge Gap
I think I see water flow marks at 10 feet
Photographer: Len Banister

3m Gap
The elevated bit saves wet feet
Photographer: A. Hawkins

Strata-ed Rock
2 views if clicked
Photographer: A. Hawkins

Deserted Church et alia
4 views if clicked
Harry and Len

Goat up Mountain
Middle of Gorge's Side
A. Hawkins

The Gorge
4 views if clicked
A. Hawkins

Going Down
4 views if clicked
Harry and Len

Alan on Stepping Stones
Earlier part of Gorge
A. Hawkins

Water
4 views if clicked
A. Hawkins

It's difficult to visit Crete and not be aware of the long and legendary history of the Island. Those in the group interested in Minoan culture went to the famous site at Knossos and the archaeological museum in Iraklion, both part of an all day coach excursion.

Knossos Site
Near Heraklion
(Fri) Photographer: Rosemary Hawkins

Lily Prince, Painted Relief Plaster, C.1425bc
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
(Fri) Photographer: Rosemary Hawkins

Museum Show Case
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
(Fri) Photographer: Keith Miller

All good things come to an end and so it was time to fly home. We had enjoyed wall-to-wall sunshine all week and thanks to Yvonne for leading an enticing mix of coastal and inland hill walks. We all had different highlights to reflect on as Del's coach sped us to the final drop-off points. For some it was the spring flowers, the gastronomic delights, the superb views; for others the trip to Knossos and, of course, the mighty gorge. Such are holiday memories. As I finish this 'write-up' I could just eat one (or two) of those pies from Giorgia's Kafenion, as first sampled on that sunny day in the Cretan countryside.

Click any of the nine links below for a MAP or MORE PICTURES (in pdf format)

Author :
John Juchau

Presentation by: A. Hawkins

Basic MAP showing Walks
x29 0.6 Mb Around Chania
x37 0.5 Mb Knossos (Fri)

x27 0.8 Mb Kailidonia to Kolimbari (Wed pm)
x36 0.8 Mb Lakki to Skordalou (Thu)
x40 0.9 Mb Monastery to Stavros (Fri)

x38 0.9 Mb Samaria Gorge (Sat)
x46 0.9 Mb Kelissougeio to Nopigia (Sun)
x37 0.9 Mb Therisso to Meskla (Mon am)

Click for higher resolution Mosaics which are in eight of the "pdf" files above ... 48 Mosaics

Click as required: Home Alternative Index Top Page 1 Page 2 Page 3