Kali Spéra!

Here is a selection of images from our trip to Crete this summer. We stayed in the second biggest city in Crete, Chania. The oldtown was very charming, with several layers of history. The modern part of the city wasn't that nice though. The people on Crete were very open and friendly, and I loved the food. And the weather...can't say I'm used to having an entire week without a cloud on the sky where I'm from:D

The venetian harbour at night.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010099.jpg

From an excursion to a top, nearby the city. Very hazy day.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010082.jpg

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Some typical streets in the oldtown
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010089.jpg

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The venetian harbour in daylight
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010091.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010092.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010113.jpg

In the middle of the picture, you can see the Janitsjar-mosque, built by the turks in 1645. It stands there empty nowadays.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010093.jpg

Closer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010110.jpg

Part of the old city-wall, wich was built in the 14'th century by the venetians and reinforced in the 16'th century, to keep turks out. It wasn't strong enough though.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010094.jpg

There was a story behind this building, but it has faded from my memory a long time ago:D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010095.jpg

One of several buildings that has changed from beeing a christian church to a muslim mosque and back, before finally becoming a place to worship commerce(in other words, a tourist-shop):D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010096.jpg

Typical street, still inside oldtown, but not in its most central part
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010097.jpg

Agios Nicolaus church. Built by the venetians, but then turned into a mosque too. Was turned into a church again in 1918. It is very special, since it has both a bell-tower and a minaret.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010098.jpg

For some reason, I didn't feel an urge to visit this establishment...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010115.jpg

As mentioned earlier, the newer part of town wasn't that charming. The mountain backdrop was magnificent though!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010104.jpg

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Cheers from a tourist! ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010119.jpg

More to come!

My friend Northstar, BRAVO and thanks for sharing!! I really enjoyed your photo tour, I have never been to Chania. :)


Looking forward to more!! The old town is very charming. Hope you enjoyed it!

great photos. The first part seems touristy, but I am sure that in an island that big, there are parts which are not as commercialized.

The Venetian church seems to have some elements of the typical places of worship found in Veneto.

Well done my friend!!

Did you visit the most magnificent and breathtaking beaches of the island:
Elafonisi
Falasserna
Gramvousa

If you havent Google them to see wht you have missed (next time!!)!!!!

Again, well done!! The pics brought back a lot of nice memories!!

Very glad to see that you enjoyed Hania! I am from there and while unfortunately I was unable to go this year, looking at these pictures took me on a "mental vacation," at least for a few minutes anyway :)

I'll agree that the modern town isn't as picturesque as the old town, but there are some good parts...did you go to the city park (with a tiny zoo), the modern agora, the seaside in Koum Kapi, or by Nea Hora (also by the sea)? The beaches to the west of town, in the Gerani-Agia Marina-Platania-Maleme regions are also beautiful (but crowded in the summer), and a fellow poster mentioned Falasarna and Elafonisi, two of the most beautiful beaches in Greece (but a bit of a trek from the city of Hania)...Sougia on the southern coast is also breathtaking and not as widely talked about.

Looks like you had a great time! One can spend weeks exploring the streets of the old town and still not see it all!

Thank you all for the response so far:)

The first part seems touristy, but I am sure that in an island that big, there are parts which are not as commercialized.

Yes, we stayed in a small hotel in a middle of an ordinary residential area, wich wasn't much commercialized. There were hens, dogs barking, local teenagers on scooters, old ladies making pasta(we think it was) in the backyard all day and so on.

Did you visit the most magnificent and breathtaking beaches of the island:
Elafonisi
Falasserna
Gramvousa

No, unfortunately not. But I know what I've missed, because my parents told me about them when they were on Crete a few years ago. Unfortunately, my travel-companions were too lazy, and didn't want to see those beaches:(


I'll agree that the modern town isn't as picturesque as the old town, but there are some good parts...did you go to the city park (with a tiny zoo), the modern agora, the seaside in Koum Kapi, or by Nea Hora (also by the sea)?

I didn't even know there was a zoo there. But we stayed 200 meters from Nea Hora, where we baded every day. I think that beach was nice, and not too crowded either. Atleast not compared to beaches here in southern and eastern Norway, where everyone suddenly wants to take a bath immediately when they see the sun. And we also became good friends with a vaitor there :cheers:

Excellent work, NorthStar77!!! You captured a lot of Crete's beauty. Can't say anything more than your photos revealed. Great work :okay:

I'm sorry for waiting so long to post the sequel, but here it is:)

I'm taking away some of the comments regarding Knossos and so on, you probably know it already;)

The local "skyline"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010139.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010140.jpg

There's a NATO base right by, wich isn't really popular among the locals
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010145.jpg

At the historical museum in Heraklion. "NO FLASH PLEASE!!!!". Northstar blushes and says "sorry, I forgot"!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010161.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010178.jpg

Our guide told us that Heraklion has been awarded the prestigous title "ugliest city in Europe". Well, it seemed very chaotic, like it was built without no plan whatsoever. But I've seen worse!

This is part of Heraklion, doesn't tell much though
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010180.jpg

And now, to the very cradle of European culture; Knossos!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010181.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010184.jpg

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Thank you Crete for a wonderful week!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/northstar77/Kreta/P1010147.jpg

Our guide told us that Heraklion has been awarded the prestigous title "ugliest city in Europe". Well, it seemed very chaotic, like it was built without no plan whatsoever. But I've seen worse!


Let me guess, your guide was from Chania!?
Just joking, I admit there is no plan at all at our city but it's not that bad. And now, after the olympics the situation is improving radically. I think we'll have one of the best sea fronts in 5 years time.
Just tell your guide that my father's village is even more beautiful than chania :D

Let me guess, your guide was from Chania!?

She was from Sweden:D But I don't really think it was that bad!