Our Video of time we spent in Crete
Group 1′s Crete field trip video:
Crete Field Trip : Chora Sfakion
The Last Supper
On the last night we all sat down as a whole group for the last supper at our hotel. This was a brilliant ending to our trip as there was the company of our fellow students, staff, Greek food and unlimited Sfakian wine (which doesn’t taste good but still makes you rather merry!).
It was a good social ending as it showed how much we had all connected within the short time-frame of the trip and how well everyone had got on. After thanking the owners for a pleasent stay and a lovely meal we staggered to the beach to sample some more of the local spirit (raki!!!) and to gaze upwards towards the stars. Some say there were shooting starts and many wishes were made. After a few hours socialising on the beach and watching the waves roll in time after time … for the last time … we decided to retire to our rooms … for the last time, where Dave found the pleasant sound of Matt snoring and skillfully practiced the art of jumping into bed next to him without him noticing (this may come in use later on in life!)
Once again I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of all the students on the trip to Alan, Ken and Richard for a fantastic field class and being a great help to us all.
Written by Katie and Dave
Return to Reading
We arrived back at the University of Reading at 10.00pm to still clear blue skies and an air temperature of 20 degrees, which one in the party described as “freezing”.
Even during the journey home the students were remarkable in their enthusiasm and commitment – posting final blog posts from the less than inspiring Gate 8 at Chania airport thanks to ubiquitous Cretan wireless Internet access.
Meanwhile staff did their best to spend the night in alternative Cretan accommodation as Ken challenged the logic of charging for excess baggage when his and Richard’s luggage came in 7 Kg over weight – a discussion closely observed by local armed security.
As we waited for our flight we reflected on the size and shape of tourists queuing to board other UK-bound flights which led one of us to advocate ticket pricing based on combined luggage/passenger weight…
Chania
As our flight to Gatwick was leaving fairly late in the day at 6.00pm we took the opportunity to make a last minute change to the field class programme and arrange a four hour visit to the old town of Chania. This proved an interesting contrast to unspoilt Sfakia. Indeed one student noted ‘you took us to a gem, now you’ve brought us to a **** hole.’ A little unfair but indicative of the contrast.
Chania is in fact a fairly attractive place with an excellent location on a beautiful coastline and a rich history. However even in mid-June it is very busy and after a week in Sfakia the hustle and bustle of mass tourism and all that goes with it was a shock to the system.
Google Earth
Unfortunatly we have not been able to upload our interactive map of Crete to Google maps so here is a non-interactive image of our path to Loutro and back along the coastal path to Chora Sfakion.
23rd June 2009 – An afternoon in Chania
On our return from Chora Sfakion to the airport for our flight home we had the opportunity to spend a few hours in Chania.
Chania is the second largest city on the island of Crete and is located on the north coast, 72 km from Chora Sfakion. Chania is known for its Venetian harbour, around which restaurants and cafes cluster on the waterfront.
Narrow side streets are packed with small shops selling a range of local products; soaps, olive oil, handmade jewellery and clothing. In addition the expected touristy products; sunglasses, flip flops, items for the beach and postcards are also found. Although many of the shops contained very similar items and its hard to understand how they can all survive and compete with one another, some shops were found selling some very distinctive products. For example, as the photograph below shows one shop sold some amazing hairclips- we particularly like the colouring pencil clip and the kit kat!
The side streets which are bustling with people are packed full of history and the architecture of some of the buildings demonstrates this. However, it is clear that Chania unlike the currently isolated villages visited during the week has been affected by the process of globalisation. The Starbucks franchise in the central square of the old town was an unexpected sight. Shoppers were also seen carrying bags from well known high street retailers including Zara. Street sellers with balloons and a horse and cart taking tourists around Chania were also witnessed.
The busy environment was a shock to the system and we were targeted by waiters desperate for us to spend our money at their establishment. Menus were wafted under our faces, free drinks and meal deals were offered. This sales technique was overwhelming and quite off putting after the relaxed way of life we had become used to.
The tourists in Chania we noted were a far more diverse group than those seen in the south of the island, where we spent the week. There were a lot more children and many of the tourists were wearing all inclusive wrist bands. The line of Thomas Cook coaches lead us to conclude that a large number of tourists are in the area as part of a tour, on a package holiday.
Witnessing people begging on the street, both women and children was a sad sight and reminded us that whilst this area may appear successful and busy there are people who remain without. As we travelled by coach towards the airport, and thus away from the old town the suburbs were rundown. Evidence of this being graffiti, buildings in disrepair and far fewer people.
Having the opportunity to spend time in Chania and to experience the place where so many residents from Loutro and Aghia Roumelli spend the winter was interesting. In the tourist season the place is buzzing and it would be of interest to see how Chania changes out of the tourist season.
Tuesday the 23rd June
Late shopping in Chania
The last day of the field class saw the students board their coach in Chora Sfakion at 0930hrs. The early start allowed the group to spend four hours in Chania where it was back to the commercial hustle. At 1500hrs the coach picked everybody up for the half hour drive to the Airport.
Getting through the airport was marred by the check in desk charging a student for excess baggage before Ken and Richard were also stopped and asked for extra money. Alan said an armed policeman was honing in on the heated discussion however the staff eventually said it was OK for the luggage to go through but not before Ken’s had his hand baggage strip searched.
It was not long before the group were in the departure lounge, the really keen ones connected to the free wireless connection completing their blogs and uploading the light hearted end of course videos that they were producing. Ken meanwhile was completing this, his first real Blog whilst moaning at the exorbitant four euro airport price of the coffee he was drinking and from its taste wondering if it was really a coffee cardboard cut out.
Last stage homeward bound
Takeoff was on time, tail winds were strong helping the plane with an early arrival at Gatwick some thirty minutes early. The coach was awaiting and deposited some tired students back at the University campus looking forward to going on their summer break in a few days.
Travelling and Waiting
Today was going home day. It was filled of mixed feelings of wanted to be home and not wanting to leave.
After the windy mountain road, which made me feel very travel sick, we arrived at Chania where we spent a couple of hours.
I have very many negative opinions towards Chania and these are shared between a lot of the group. After a week of peace and quiet Chania was a dramatic change we were not prepared for. Chania was busy, over-commercialised and very pushy. We had people coming out from their resturants and pushing menus into our faces trying to get us to eat there and convince us that we needed food. Once seated however more “sellers” came round the tables wanting to sell you knock-off DVDs and other goods. Although Chania was very beautiful we did not stay at the harbour for long. We discovered the ancient cobbled streets which where less commercialised but they where very reminiscent of Italy so it was hard to imagine you were still in Crete.
Chania
In my opinion I feel those that have just stuck to north Crete have missed out on what Crete is all about and the beauty that it has to offer.
We soon left Chania and flew home, arriving in Reading about 10pm.
