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                                                 Day 09 - September 19 - Crete
 
                                                 Endless hairpin turn day around Southwest Crete.  Retraced yesterday's drive and continued further along the coast.
                                                 First stop was the Venetian castle Frangokastello.  Only a shell now; however, the Venetian lion and two heralds
                                                 were embedded in the rear exit.  Should be an impressive sight at night since it is surrounded by large floodlights,
                                                 which were on during the daytime.
 
                                                 Next stop was Hora Sfakion.  A small fishing village with transport connections - both main bus system to the 
                                                 North island and water transport to various coastal beaches and towns.  This is also the main return point for 
                                                 the well known Samaria Gorge. (Next year's adventure).  A vine covered roof ran the full length of main shops
                                                 and restaurants on the harbor front.  Picked up sandwiches and continued the drive.
 
                                                 Just West of the town was new road construction - wasn't sure if the road was open; however, we could see
                                                 a tour bus coming down from the 1,000 meter sized mountain.  So, between gravel areas, new pavement,
                                                 and large earth moving equipment, we continued over the mountain and to the end of the highway.
 
                                                 Quite the surprise came around a corner - a one lane wooden floor bridge over a rather deep gorge.  Many
                                                 a hiker had come to visit Anethena Gorge.  At the entrance was a small abandoned village - appearing to be
                                                 remains of the WW II Cretan War with no roofs and riddled with bullet holes.  A 4.5 KM hike will lead to the 
                                                 Libyan Sea - would assume water transport is available.
 
                                                 Came across other old villages and house ruins.  Amazing part of Crete's history is the first major war time
                                                 parachute assault was here by the Germans.  And now, 60 years later, the assault continues with German
                                                 tour and independent travel groups instead.  
 
                                                 Return route was via the main road to Hania; however, it was under some large scale construction with new
                                                 tunnels, side walls, and expanded pavement.  Located an alternate route back to Plakias; however, the narrow
                                                 gauge road with the World's record of hairpin turns did take some time.  West to East roads don't tend to 
                                                 exist - seems most are South to North following a gorge or mountain divide.
 
                                                  Dinner was back to Medousa cafe with the house special spicy pork and shrimp salad.  Stopped at a
                                                  local bakery for 'Milk Cake' (Greek version of tres leches).  Know it will be good since the single Plakias
                                                  police car was parked in front.  Guess 'donut shops' are universal.  Walked back to the hotel under the
                                                  clear starry night. 

 

                                                                  Crete - Frangokastello Castle   Crete - Frangokastello Castle   Crete - Frangokastello Castle   Crete - Frangokastello Castle

                                                                    Crete - Frangokastello Castle   Crete - Frangokastello Castle   Crete - Frangokastello Castle  Crete - Frangokastello Castle

                                                                Crete - Frangokastello Castle Beach   Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion

                                                                       Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion

                                                                               Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion   

                                                                                             Crete - Hora Sfakion - Typical Town Street   Crete - Hora Sfakion   Crete - Hora Sfakion

                                                                                 Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge

                                                                                    Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge

                                                                 Crete - Anethena Olive Tree   Crete - Anethena Olive   Crete - Anethena    Crete - Anethena

                                                                 Crete - Anethena    Crete - Anethena    Crete - Anethena    Crete - Anethena

                                                                            Crete - Anethena Goats   Crete - Anethena Goats   Crete - Anethena Goats   Crete - Anethena Flora

                                                                  Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge Flora   Crete - Anethena

                                                                  Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Olives   Crete - Anethena Gorge   Crete - Anethena Gorge Flora

                                                                 Crete Roadway   Crete Roadway   Crete - Sweetwater Beach Sign

                                                                Crete - Sweetwater Beach    Crete - LSU Rental Car   Crete - LSU Rental Car

 

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