Crete Field Trip : Chora Sfakion
Archive for Logistics
June 8, 2009 at 6:20 pm · Filed under Logistics
Just to recap on what are the consequences of not taking a European Health Insurance Card:
- you will need to pay upfront for any and all medical treatment in Crete
- until you can demonstrate a means of payment treatment may be delayed
- you will be able to claim medical expences back on the university travel insurance policy but you will lose £50 excess
Please note that even with a EHIC some types of treatment may not be free and may require payment.
There is a chance that if you apply for a EHIC today, Monday, you will receive it by next Monday. See:
http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcareabroad/pages/Healthcareabroad.aspx
June 4, 2009 at 8:47 am · Filed under Logistics
The preparation day on Monday June 8th will start in Room G05, Geography.
The preparation session on Friday June 12th will be in Room G02, Geography.
April 8, 2009 at 1:35 pm · Filed under Logistics
The university pays in advance for such items as flights, coach transfers, and bed and breakfast for each student participant. As a rough estimate, we are looking in the region of £450 and this will be added to your university bill before the field class. Heather Browning is responsible for processing invoices and compiling the bill, which will not be finalised for some time. Staff costs are not part of the field trip bill calculation.
Clearly Britain’s economic crisis, including the devaluation of the UK pound against the Euro, has contributed to a significant increase in the base field trip cost. Even so it remains good value for money in comparison with other Part 2 field class destinations.
In addition to this bill you will need to take sufficient euros to pay for lunch, evening meals, drinks and any other day to day expenses. Food and drink prices are reasonable – a typical menu at a typical taverna is available here.
You will purchase ferry tickets to travel from Chora Sfakion to Loutro and Chora Sfakion to the Samaria Gorge (Agia Roumeli). A return ticket to the Samaria Gorge is 13 euros and there is an entrance fee to the gorge (last known price was 5 euros). A one way ticket Chora Sfakion-Loutro is 3.20 euros for students (normal cost 4 euros). You will make two (exceptionally three) visits to Loutro and one to the Samaria Gorge. On one visit to Loutro you will plan to return to Chora Sfakion by foot so a return ticket on that day is not expected to be necessary.
There are a couple of bars in the village which provide Internet access for a small charge. You may need to utilise this service in order to complete certain work tasks.
Mobile phones should get good reception (depending on whether your phone works abroad in Europe).
There is a single ATM in Chora Sfakion, however do not count on it being operational all the time. We do not visit any large towns so there are no other banking facilities available and credit cards are NOT accepted in Chora Sfakion or Loutro. Therefore we recommend you take enough Euros with you, rather than counting on changing money in Crete.
The only accepted currency is the Euro.
Clearly the personal expenses you incur in Crete will depend on various factors, including the work programme your group agrees with the field class convenor. Please utilise the information here for planning but also build in some contingency for unexpected costs.
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March 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm · Filed under Logistics
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March 7, 2009 at 1:49 pm · Filed under Logistics
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March 6, 2009 at 2:43 pm · Filed under Logistics
All field class participants sign the Department of Geography Field Class Indemnity Form prior to being accepted on the field trip. All participants must comply with the contents of the field class Risk Assessment and the Department of Geography Field Class Safety and Behaviour Handbook issued to participants in June 2009.
The field class (including leisure time) is considered an “academic engagement” within the terms of the “Regulations for Conduct” of The University given in the University of Reading Calendar.
The Designated Fieldwork Supervisor (Dr Howard) is responsible for good order and all disciplinary matters on this field class.
The highest standards of conduct and behaviour are expected at all times. In particular you must:
- Attend the preparatory sessions and complete tasks as directed
- Be punctual and follow the field trip programme
- Not cause any disturbance to the public or other field class participants in the hotel or village
- Obey rules laid down by the hotel, airline and other third-party service providers
- Not leave litter anywhere (this is a particular fire hazard in the hills)
- Follow instructions issued by any member of field class staff
- Not make public comment (including, for example, facebook posting) that is hurtful, with intent or not, to any member of this class or that may potentially reflect negatively on the university.
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March 6, 2009 at 2:37 pm · Filed under Logistics
We stay at the Hotel Livikon. The Livikon is a taverna fronting the harbour in Chora Sfakion. Accommodation is in shared rooms on a bed and breakfast basis.
In the evening you can eat in the Livikon’s restaurant or at any of the restaurants in the village. They are all relatively inexpensive.
For lunch you can purchase provisions from the minimarket or sandwiches at the bakery.
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March 6, 2009 at 2:34 pm · Filed under Logistics
By the time we visit Crete in June, full summer should have started characterised by (almost certainly) no rain and temperatures entering the thirties. On the 2007 field class temperatures exceeded 40°C.
On certain days you may walk several miles over rough terrain. On all days you may spend several hours in the sunshine. You must take care to protect against dehydration, sun burn and heat stroke.
There are two minimarkets in the village of Chora Sfakion where you can purchase bottled water. The tap water is also drinkable. Bring high factor sun cream with you.
It is best to wear light cotton clothing and a hat. You need shoes that offer ankle protection; walking boots are best.
Further equipment requirements will be posted during the preparation day and specific requirements will form part of the risk assessment.
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March 6, 2009 at 2:29 pm · Filed under Logistics
Mr Ken Beard and Mr Richard Tegg are qualified first-aiders and will carry basic medical provisions. If you feel unwell during the field class please talk to them.
On the indemnity form that you complete on the preparation day you will be asked to state any condition that may make completion of field work tasks problematic. If you have concerns about this then it is best to contact Dr Alan Howard as soon as possible.
If you suffer from vertigo please let Dr Howard know… There is a point on the walk from Loutro to Chora Sfakion where the footpath is narrow and the drop into the sea significant. This is illustrated here:
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March 6, 2009 at 2:23 pm · Filed under Logistics
Fieldclass participants will meet at the Department of Geography for departure by coach on June 16th at a time to be confirmed (likely to be very early). Our flight is:
LGW-CHQ 10H15-16H15
Details of our airline’s baggage rules are available here:
http://www.flymonarch.com/cnt/travelinfo/baggage.asp
Ensure you read the rules for charter flights, not their scheduled service.
Please note that you will carry items of field equipment which must be included in your weight allowance.
On arrival at Chania airport we will congregate in the terminal building after completing the formalities of passport control, baggage reclaim and Customs. Do not leave the terminal building until instructed. We transfer by bus to Chora Sfakion via the Cretan mountain range.
Warning: the mountain road is winding and uneven and if you tend to suffer travel sickness you may well be affected during this journey. Your GP may be able to prescribe medicine to help with this. If you feel sick at any point during the journey inform Ken Beard or Richard Tegg and we will stop the bus.
Our return flight is:
CHQ-LGW 18H00-19H45
We anticipate arriving back at the University at approximately 10.15pm on Tuesday June 23rd.
Travel Documents & Insurance
EU citizens require a full 10-year Passport for entry into Greece. Visas may be required for non-EU nationals – you should check, and if you need a visa it is your responsibility to obtain one. Contact:
Embassy of Greece (Consulate General)
1A Holland Park
London, W11 3TP
Tel. (020) 7221 6467
Fax. (020) 7243 3202
e-mail: consulategeneral@greekembassy.org.uk
Visa Information: 24 hour line: 09065 508 983 (calls cost £1 per minute)
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 09:30 – 13:00
Visas – collection: Monday-Friday 12:00 – 13:00
You are covered under the University’s travel insurance policy NHE-18CA07-0013 underwritten by ZURICH MUNICIPAL.
If you need to make a claim for medical emergencies whilst travelling, you must phone INTER PARTNER ASSISTANCE 44 1737 815147 or from the UK 01737 815147. For other claims please contact the Insurance Office on 0118 378 8309 or by email insurance@reading.ac.uk
Please carry these numbers with you at all times. In the event of an emergency please attempt to contact a member of the field class staff. If this is not possible then use the telephone number above in order to obtain assistance.
Further information and travel insurance claim forms are available here:
http://www.rdg.ac.uk/finance/opentoall/insurance/businesstravel.htm
All participants must also carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you can apply for online at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/index.htm
The EHIC entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you’re in a European Economic Area (EEA) country. That said, the nearest hospital is 70km away in Chania and is privately run. Any treatment is likely to have to be paid for in full and claimed against insurance.
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