Wednesday, July 22, 2020

6/28/2011 Crete/Chania, Church of Ayios Gerogios in Alikianos, memorial Battle WWII, Zourva-lunch, Lakki-George's cousin Bobby, Omalos-summer house that was George's parents, Samaria Gorge

Breakfast.  I think I had my donut that I bought but Richard went for the traditional Greek way of yogurt, and so forth.  We have a long day today as we are going to explore some of George's roots in Crete.









Our first stop was the CHURCH OF AYIOS GEORGIOS at Alikianos.  Byzantine church 14th-15th century with wall frescoes by Pavlos Private.  This temple was used in the novel of Spiridon Zambelios "Cretan Weddings".




Inside






Inside it's very dark


Then in a small town/village we visit a MEMORIAL pertaining to all the lives lost from this village during WWII.  The Germans were angry about the resistance of some so this village paid the price.  It was very moving to see so many names.



















































After the name is the age at death





Driving into ZOURVA we see a place where we can stop for lunch.  What we got was very simple-sausage, tomatoes, green pepper, feta cheese, bread-but it was good.  We got to meet maybe the husband who was just coming down from the mountain gathering herbs.  He gave me a bunch which we took home and used.  So thanks!

























Curvy roads

Lunch stop
















Simple but delicious


View




George's next stop was in the village of LAKKI where his cousin Bobby has a place.  Bobby also has a place in  the city.   Bobby's place is very simple, but cute.  He has goats.  A garden.  Pretty self sufficient for when he's there.   We sat and chatted.  Had some drinks.  Nice.  I liked Bobby.






George and his cousin Bobby



























George and Richard


Driving on some very curvy roads made me a bit queasy but soon we reached OMALOS.  This is what George calls "the mount" which is the old summer house of his parents.  George wants to renovate it and make it comfortable/livable for when he comes to Chania.  It's a nice property.  I tell George he and Richard should come and do the work!  (Several years later having dinner with George and Dimitra back here in the US I get to see pictures of the work George has done to the place.  It looks fabulous.  I'm sure George's parents would be proud of him for all he's done.)

The Mount











Neighbor's goats






Pretty wildflowers


Beautiful in this part of Crete





Our last stop is the SAMARIA GORGE.  We will not hike it as I have some knee issues.  George says it's a long, hard hike.  But we get to see the beginning of the trail and witness the beauty of the mountains. There's a cafe/store run by Dimitra's friend.  We stop here for awhile to chat/catch up.  Then we head over to another bigger place that's just a restaurant but with amazing views.  It's very beautiful and peaceful here.





































Postcard


























































Postcard







The other restaurant 

This is the restaurant where we stopped for the amazing view




But we need to get back to Chania.  We make a quick stop in ?? where we say hi to another friend Max aka "Big George" who also lives on Grand Island, NY near George.  He is staying for several weeks back visiting where he came from but his wife prefers America so she's back home!  The other guy is Ari with the neat looking mustache!  We have drinks.


Here we have George, Richard, Big George, and another friend Ari


Dinner is another question mark.  I'm upset with myself for not keeping more detailed notes on our time in Chania with our friends!  It has been a long but very pleasant day.  A lovely experience.





























































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