71 replies to this topic

[Graeme]

not at all, holiday autos are charging around £450 for two weeks so that's comparable

Thanks, thats reassuring

[richcoll]

I have had a quote from Athens cars for a Jimny of 249 Euro's for 7 days, that is the cheapest I have found. We are going to be in Koutouloufari from sunday but I am sure they have stations at other places on the island.

[Graeme]

I have had a quote from Athens cars for a Jimny of 249 Euro's for 7 days,

That seems good, the company we chose also have it cheaper just now at 264 Euro per week, but by the time we get to Crete mid June it goes up to 660, they have reduced that to 600 for us though
Make sure you have tyre and underneath cover insurance for that price :wink:

[richcoll]

The quote I had was including full insurance. I have just bought a copy of th Lonely Planet guide to Crete and it mentions that they had a very poor season last year on the Island so I guess this would explain why car hire prices seem very reasonable this year.

[Graeme]

Well onto more questions

I'm told by my Crete contact that the locals go rod fishing from the rocks and harbours.
Do they use bait, if so what do they use, if not what type of lure ?



Another question....
Since we now have 4x4 booked, are there any special trails that the ordinary tourist cannot venture on with cars ? I know there are Jeep Safari's organised but you have to use their 4x4's which makes it more costly

Maybe 'arribobs might explore with his 4x4 and report back before we go on 18th June :wink:

[yannis_s]

ExploreCrete has the answers to everything, even for fishing techniques and baits: www.explorecrete.com/travel/crete-fishing.html

The other question for the dirt tracks suitable for a 4-wheel drive vehicle cannot be answered, simply because there are so many dirt roads on the island. The best thing to do is to ask the locals for information at the place where you will stay.

[Graeme]

Thank you Yannis for that excellant link, I'm constantly suprised to just how much information this site has at its fingertips

However, I wish to assure you we wont be fishing using dynamite

The southern coast of Crete is dotted with small picturesque fishing villages drenched in the warm rays of the sun and the abundant waters of the Libyan Sea. The life style of the locals is simple and unassuming. However, there are times when a distant thunder  «washes» to the shore a message of impending grief. This thunder is identified by the locals as «fishing by dynamite», an illegal activity which has been going on for a good number of years on Crete.
 
 

As a result, one may no longer be surprised by the disturbing sight of a mutilated man in the little villages of southern Crete, even if that person is young and of the post-war generation.  

This illegal activity is governed by the law of «omerta» (silence). The locals are unwilling to disclose any information about the specific individuals who are involved in this type of activity. However, it is common knowledge that the missing limbs of a particular fisherman were blown away by dynamite.  

Fishing by dynamite seems to be necessitated by a certain passion for «bombs», a treacherous contrivance which combines an ill-conceived mode of entertainment and fast profit.  

In the past, fishing by dynamite was the last resort of poor fishermen for whom a fishing boat was beyond their financial reach. A defective «stick», a shorter fuse, and lack of experience were usually responsible for the mutilation, even the death, of these poor people. Today, this activity has acquired the status of a sport for those who look forward to the fast flow of adrenaline.  

In 1970, however, statute 420 decreed that fishing activities responsible for the mutilation and death of people are illegal. This statute was amended and finalized in 1987 with the passing of law 1740.  

Today fishing by dynamite is strongly criticized by professional fishermen and is deplored by nature lovers and conservationists. As is always the case in Greece, safety measures, or precautions, are taken a little late, or when the situation is non-reversible. The fishermen who complain of small or no catch at all have urged the port-authorities to start a man-hunt against the «butchers» of the sea.  

During our research, we found out that people in the fishing villages were confused as to the legal status and the environmental impact of this activity. There is no denying, however, that there is general concern about the environment and this, we hope, will resolve the issue of illegal fishing.  

Finally, infiltrating the breed of dynamiters is very difficult and daring. These people seem to have a certain code of communication and strong ties amongst themselves. Persistent inquiries may give rise to anonymous threats, since certain groups have large interests invested in this illegal practice.  

A solution to the problem, in addition to the enforcement of the law, would be an education campaign in those remote southern regions of Crete. The gradual disappearance of the fauna in the Mediterranean is something that concerns us all. Pollution may poison the marine environment gradually, but a few sticks of dynamite may be the cause of more dramatic and drastic changes to the environment and to human health.  

By eck, some folks go to some extreme to catch fish eh :shock:

[Graeme]

The best thing to do is to ask the locals for information at the place where you will stay

..or send harribobs on a recce

[harribobs]

The best thing to do is to ask the locals for information at the place where you will stay

..or send harribobs on a recce

i'm always available at a reasonable rates

( roll on next tuesday!!!)

[Graeme]

i'm always available at a reasonable rates  

I thought the conffessional was free


Ok folks, time for another question ..please

Now I know forum guidelines dont allow links to busines places, so if you have a suggestion for me please PM or email.
My question is that I'm going to have a very very Special dinner during our stay in Crete, how special may be revealed later :wink:
So I'm looking for traditional restaurant/tavern, with sea view, with outside tables, with stunning views of sunset. Cretan music would be bonus. Must have Fish or Lamb and typical Cretan menu and cater for strict vegetarians. Somewhere within a 20 mile radius of Rodakino would be good but would consider other areas. Can be up in mountains provided it has the sea and sunset views or down by a harbour, so long as it has a special "atmosphere" :wink:

So any ideas, since its my first trip to Crete

[Graeme]

.....and another question :?

Keep reading about ......

A little road train runs a few times daily all around the area as well as a small boat between Souda Beach, Plakias Harbour, Damnoni Beach and Preveli Palm Beach.

Road Train ?

Whats that then, and where does it go from/to ......

[harribobs]

.....and another question  :?  

Keep reading about ......

A little road train runs a few times daily all around the area as well as a small boat between Souda Beach, Plakias Harbour, Damnoni Beach and Preveli Palm Beach.

Road Train ?

Whats that then, and where does it go from/to ......

it's the 'Happy Train' otherwise known as the national railways of Crete it's really an automobile with a train shell that tows about three or four 'carriages' behind it at about 10 mph, usually full of kids and parents sight-seeing

as for the boat, there's a couple that run from plakias to preveli and return every day, but not souda or damnoni

(Graeme, i have just pm'd you i need your email address )

chris

[Graeme]

i have just pm'd you i need your email address

Cheers, you have my addy. looking forwards to piccys

[Dinny]

Now, where is it that you stay Graeme? Your asking for the perfect "sunset restaurant" made me think of the "Panorama" just over Komos Beach, Yannis mentioned it somewhere .... "dirt road to the right just after Pitsidia". I had lunch there only one month ago with my daughter and son-in-law just before leaving for the airport to go back to Italy, it was SO great, even in daytime! I think there might be two restaurants almost attached to each other, we were at "the one to the right" and I was making plans with my granddaugther to have shut-down the one to the left, so that I could rent it and live just next door! ;-)

Anyway, the view was fabulous and we had a full plate of those grilled giant shrimps, grilled cheese, a greek salad, 3 fresh fishes, two bottles of white wine of the best, coffee, raki, raki, raki and raki.... 3 adults and a tiny girl spent 50 Euro on the whole thing.

But, of course, if you're in Iraklion it's a bit of a long way to go for a fresh fish...

;-)

[Graeme]

Now, where is it that you stay Graeme

Just to the east of Rodakino on the south coast, but west of Plakias. Its pretty isolated as Harribobs knows as he's walked past it on the cliff top walk. Somewhere close by would be great then we could get taxi and not worry about drinking .....

and we had a full plate of those grilled giant shrimps, grilled cheese, a greek salad, 3 fresh fishes, two bottles of white wine of the best, coffee, raki, raki, raki and raki....

Wow :shock: Yummy

[harribobs]

Anyway, the view was fabulous and we had a full plate of those grilled giant shrimps, grilled cheese, a greek salad, 3 fresh fishes, two bottles of white wine of the best, coffee, raki, raki, raki and raki.... 3 adults and a tiny girl spent 50 Euro on the whole thing.  

But, of course, if you're in Iraklion it's a bit of a long way to go for a fresh fish...  

;-)

now if i was down that way ( which i was last sunday) i'd be in the Lions at matala eating very similar things..well maybe the mussels as a starter

[Graeme]

Sound like both those taverns are mouth wateringly yummy, hope to visit them both

Yannis...I ordered your tea today as it comes special delivery and hopefully will arrive at my house next Tuesday


Another question folks, we have had lots of help from an Apartment owner in Sougia for our 2 day stay there after walking the Samaria Gorge, and would like to take a small gift of our local honey from here in Northumberland (uk) to give to him.
Does Crete customs officer and import law allow honey from uk to be brought in ?

[yannis_s]

You are travelling from one EU country to another, so there is no customs control for you

[Dinny]

But the fact that there is no control... doesn't mean that anything is allowed, does it? :wink:

[yannis_s]

Yes, not everything is allowed but I have travelled from Holland to Heraklion and Athens many times, and there was no customs control of any kind.