Crete Island Travel Forum

At 73 yrs. I have travelled world seeking out lost,forgotten and remote war graves at 120 locations. I am planning a pilgrimage with a difference for Sept.2008. I aim to visit the small towns/villages in CRETE where the Cretans paid such a high price for me to have the FREEDOM to travel as I do. My family and I were war victims in Liverpool and I want to take my pipes to Crete to say not only "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM" but "THANK YOU" I have been to the big military war cemeteries in Crete but now feel it is time to REMEMBER the ordinary people like myself who once shouted to the winds of Crete "NO SURRENDER". The story of the courage of these people is fasting fading from websites and many feel it is better to forget even if it is for the sake of not upsetting 'some' tourists. FORGET ? Me ? Never. Perhaps the next generation may learn to forgive ???????
My wife and I will be travelling around Crete for four weeks staying where God lands us. Can anyone tell me of four bases from which I can reach the mountain/coastal-towns/villages which faced the wrath of the invaders in 1941.
My tibutes will take the form of simply playing my bagpipe in tribute, placing a smnall wreath and bowing my head in a silent prayer. No Generals, no politicians and certainly no speeches. Should any wish to join us they are welcome but I do ask that none try to gain 'brownie points' from what will be a low frofile act of remebrance.
Bill Jenkins
Liverpool UK

One base could be HANIA for the Commonwealth War Cemetary at Souda Bay (also there is a Battle of Crete exhibit in the Maritime Museum there) and for visiting Kandanos, about 37 miles S.W. of Hania.
You will also want to visit Anogia, at the foot of Mount Psiloritis, probably most accessible from HERAKLION (from where there are buses, also from Rethymnon), and this would also be the best point of departure for Viannos village and the war memorial near Amiras. There is also the "Museum of the Battle of Crete and National Resistance" at Doukos Beaufort & Merambelou Sts, Heraklion.

You might consider going to the Amari Valley, which is an extremely beautiful valley, which can be visited in a "loop" of about 40 miles, going Southeast from Rethymnon. Here is a link by a British ex-pat who lives near there, and who is VERY familiar with the valley.
http://crete.wordpress.com/the-crete-courier-articles/lotus-land-the-amari-valley-crete/

The western road of the valley goes through half-a-dozen villages that were entirely rebuilt after WW II because the Nazis burned them to the ground and killed most of the men who lived there, due to their fierce resistance to the Nazi occupiers. Apparently there are very touching monuments there...

You might e-mail the "Wordpress" guy; I have contacted him and if he knows of your sincerity, he can be helpful.

Driving the interior road from Chania to Rehtymnon a few years ago, we came through a sleepy village (Episkopi?), with a monument at the crossroads. Even knowing no Greek whatever at the time, we could tell, it memorialized deaths at the hands of the occupiers.

Crete's bravery in WW II is indeed an inspiring story.

Bill, when do you plan to do this? We might be able to meet you near Heraklion if you are going to be there July 1-3. We are on a hands-on (actually feet-on) homeschooling tour/pilgrimage and this would be a fantastic opportunity to teach my 11yo daughter about some of the modern history. We've studied mostly ancient. Tell us your potential dates.

Macrina

Thanks Poppy

dear bill, i felt choked on reading your message. i too feel that we should never forget the people who died for us.
i wish you well on your journey. elaine

Bill

What a wonderful tribute you have taken upon yourself - the horror of the war should never be forgotten - but alas is already happening - all too often younger people show they do not have the slightest idea or interest in what happened to allow them the freedom and security they enjoy today - it makes me wonder - if needed - how many of our younger eligible generation will gladly march off to war as previous generations did (some of htem not being quite eligible) in one way or another - look at rudyard kiplings boy who striggled through with eyesight so por these days wouldn't be allowed to drive a car let alone join the navy or army- My thoughts and love go out to you in your journey to Crete and any other forgotten little corner where you may find these war heros

Julie

Dear Poppy,
Please have a look at my Crete pages. I have some information about the monument that stands near Preveli and the famous monastery that helped the allied troupes escape from the island. I wish I could be there with you to hear your bagpipes and to help you on your quest. Best of Luck. I think you are going to find many people in Crete who will be most interested in your journey and will help you along your way. Keep in touch and let us know how things go. Janet

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/74ef1/663ea/4/

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/74ef1/670c3/

Very touching quest. God bless....

Just mail me at
taxopers@otenet.gr
I was born and I live in Crete (Chania), and I will be glad to help you and meet you next September.

have a look at my crete pages and in the tips you find villages inland and on the coast where you could go. good luck