Stanstead to Heraklion
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:12 amOff on our Hols in a month or so, down to a place on Crete we've been many times before. The food is fantastic, the people are genuinely friendly, the weather always seems fantastic. The final destination will be a fishing village called Elounda, just up the road from Plaka and a short boat trip from Spinalonga.
Now, Greece is in a bit of a pickle at the moment and as a Nation they've been taking a lot of flack from the rest of the world. Sad indeed.....Anyway, without being political (heaven forbid
) I thought I'd share my experience with this part of Greece:
In a recent survey the people of Greece were discovered to work longer hours than anywhere else in Europe.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17155304
On Crete I have never witnessed any crime. If you leave a wallet visible on the beach whilst swimming it will be there when you get back. My son lost his wallet a few years ago, it was returned complete with all the money. A car or bike is safe parked unlocked with the keys in the switch. If there is theft, it will be a fellow holiday maker.
The smiles and friendly gestures are genuine, prompted by a real respect for their fellow human beings, not created by a need to make profit. Although I'm sure they appreciate us spending.
The average Greeks are fine folk but they have been let down by politicians and money folk.....
.....OK, some of that was opinion but what the hell::)
All that aside:
Before I go on holidays I usually recreate the flight on FSX. We will be flying from London Stanstead in a 737-800. Booked with Thomson and Landing at Heraklion (or Iraklion). I try to imagine that we are on the plane, this gives an added pressure not to crash, this is quite effective at focusing the concentration 8-)
On time, no delays.
Now, Greece is in a bit of a pickle at the moment and as a Nation they've been taking a lot of flack from the rest of the world. Sad indeed.....Anyway, without being political (heaven forbid
) I thought I'd share my experience with this part of Greece:In a recent survey the people of Greece were discovered to work longer hours than anywhere else in Europe.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17155304
On Crete I have never witnessed any crime. If you leave a wallet visible on the beach whilst swimming it will be there when you get back. My son lost his wallet a few years ago, it was returned complete with all the money. A car or bike is safe parked unlocked with the keys in the switch. If there is theft, it will be a fellow holiday maker.
The smiles and friendly gestures are genuine, prompted by a real respect for their fellow human beings, not created by a need to make profit. Although I'm sure they appreciate us spending.
The average Greeks are fine folk but they have been let down by politicians and money folk.....
.....OK, some of that was opinion but what the hell::)
All that aside:
Before I go on holidays I usually recreate the flight on FSX. We will be flying from London Stanstead in a 737-800. Booked with Thomson and Landing at Heraklion (or Iraklion). I try to imagine that we are on the plane, this gives an added pressure not to crash, this is quite effective at focusing the concentration 8-)
On time, no delays.
