European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 05, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                J Crete about 21 Miles further East lies the town of Mallia. It s much the same character As Herson Issos but it has More hotels and apartments. Both villages have Bright Sandy beaches. If you want a souvenir these Are the towns to go to. Everything from leather Coats to plastic toys for children Are available at the shops continue on the new Road and go through Adios Nikolaos. From Here and from the next town Ulounda you can take a boat trip to spinal6nga, a Small narrow Island in the Center of the Mirabello Gulf where the venetians built a huge fortress in the 17th Century. It became a Leper Colony in the Early 1900s. You can hire a boat for about $5 for a round trip to the Island. About two hours on the Island will allow you enough time to tour the fortress and take a swim. Usually the boat pilots will drop you off at the Dock then give you a time usually two hours later when they will pick you up. If the weather sours expect them to pick you up right away. There Are two main cities on the West. Side of the Island. Rhianon the third largest town is dominated by the venetian Castle called fort Tsa. Slave labor from surrounding towns built the fortress from 1573 to 1583. The fortress was designed to keep out the invading turks. Its Mission was never accomplished re Thimson surrendered after a three week siege. The archaeological museum next to the fortress Entrance is located in what used to be a turkish prison. The museum features centuries old Bone tools that were made at villages on the Island. Driving further West you will come into Khania. On the outskirts of the City you Are greeted with eucalyptus Trees. Follow the one Way Street signs into the Center of town where you will see that the City s Charm lies in its Well preserved venetian Harbor and old Quarter. It is touted As one of the most attractive cities in Greece. It was Here in 1913 that the greek Flag was raised for the first time to Mark unification with Greece. Until 1971, Khania was the Island s capital. Take a stroll through the covered Market. Merchants  everything from cretan cheese and jars of Honey to fish and lengths of Salami. Walk through the narrow streets into the old Lighthouse where you will get an unforgettable View of the town and the mountains beyond. About 2 7 Miles South of Khania lies the Samaria Gorge billed by the Crete tourist office As the largest in Europe. The hike to the Bottom takes about six hours and is a Good Way to spend a Day. It will be one of the most memorable experiences you will have on Crete. The hike begins at xyl6skalo, the Wood staircase and descends Down a Steep curve to the libyan sea. You will need some heavy duty hiking shoes As the Trail gets Stony in some places. Take along a water bottle and a swimsuit and Reward roman tombs Are Hen into the Cliffside on the Beach in Matala. Hippies lived in the tombs during the 60s and 70s. The Lookout Point Atspins Alonga offers a Good View of Ulounda. Yourself with a swim in the sea. The Days Are hot on Crete and if you Are hot after going on any of these excursions there Are Many beaches where you can pull Over for a swim. Some Are crowded with tourists others Are isolated. Most of your drives on the new Road follow the coastline so watch for Little dirt paths that Lead to the Edge of the Island. Don t be afraid to venture Down some of these paths. On a  afternoon you May find a mile Long Beach that has Only a handful of people on it. The Beach will be yours is photos Craig Martin Island had Day in Sun As hippie Haven Crete was a popular stopping off Point along the hippie Trail that stretched across the Mediterranean in the 1960s, hippies from All Over Europe and America were in route to see the maharishi the hindu teacher of mysticism. The beatles and Ltd guru Timothy Leary led the trek to see the Wise Man they hoped would give them answers to a better life. Matala seated on the Southern end of Crete overlooking Messara Bay is a popular resort Village where the hippies called Home. Hen into the Cliffside at the Beach Are second Century roman tombs where the hippies lived. The tombs Are fenced off today but you can still View them from any spot in town. There Are several souvenir shops in Matala where one can buy anything from ceramics to tie dyed to shirts to local food and ice Cream. Craig Martin augusts 1993 stripes Magazine 7