Crete (Greece)

We have visited Crete 5 times so far. We stayed first at Stallis on the eastern end and visited the island of Spinalonga. To say we were moved by this island is an understatement. We sailed out of Ag Nick and through the preserved bay of Elounda, (where who pays the ferry man was filmed) which we were told no boats can discharge into to keep it clear, clean and special. Along the coast and past a small island with the Kri kri on. As we stepped of the boat to the island you enter by the door of hell.......through a longish tunnel and you know there is no return for you. It was hot, very hot and when we where there there was no shade. The re-building work had not started then. The guide was very knowledgable. We where told the story of the island and how all those people remained there in the heat and just able to look over at mainland Greece, well Crete must have been unbearable. We were alos taken to the pit where they would throw the bones of the deceased and to say it was a hellish hole would be an understatment. Our daughter was at the time studying for her G.C.S.E.'s and she was very moved by the whole thing, enogh to buy a book on the island and read from cover to cover. Friends have been since and said that they are rebuilding on the island to restore with hope to the way it was..................
The whole day was just so mind blowing and I have just read the book "The Island" and having been to it the book is so graphic that I want to go again when building work is finished.