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Leaving Heraklion, we picked up a rental car and drove west along the north coast, past typical Cretian countryside ... |
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... and a number of seaside resorts ... |
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... and this well-maintained church in the middle of nowhere. |
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We stopped off at Rethymnon, about halfway between Heraklion and Chania, and parked close to this minaret. |
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Rethymnon has a large and interesting Venetian fortress, with strong walls. |
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The fortress' main gate. |
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After the Venetians were defeated by the Turks, a mosque was build inside the fortress. |
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View along the coast from the fortress. |
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We wandered around the streets of Rethymnon ... |
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... before having some lunch. Note the Venetian woodwork on the right-hand building. |
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Driving into Chania, I was surprised that we managed to find our hotel without difficulty. It was very pleasant: Art Deco outside, modern inside, helpful staff, and close to the Old Town. |
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The entry to the harbour at Chania is guarded by this old lighthouse. |
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A mosque on the waterfront, with a horse and carriage waiting in hope of tourists. |
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The Chania waterfront by day ... |
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... and by night. Lynn had her worst meal ever at one of these restaurants. |
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Many parts of the old town are very attractive. |
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However, Chania was severely damaged during WW2 and some parts had still not been repaired. |
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In some buildings, the ground floor had been turned into an upmarket shop while the upper floor stayed a wreck. |
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Returning to Heraklion, we detoured into the Akrotiri Peninsula and visited the Agia Triada Monastery. |
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And then the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Soudha |
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Combatants from both sides are buried there. |