h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We recently returned from a fortnight's holiday in Crete. Alas the first week was a bit of a write-off due to the family being ill; we sadly learnt that the barbaric, bureaucratic private healthcare's only interest was in ensuring no-one bleeds over the red tape. The second week we got to get out of the hotel room and visit places including Lychnostatis Open Air Museum, Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Historical Museum of Crete, the Natural History Museum of Crete (which, as the name obviously implies, is all about South American dinosaurs), CretAquarium, Dinosauria Park, Spinalonga (Europe's last leper colony) and of course Knossos, as well as take the children to a waterpark which my son loved, but my daughter was unsure of and she spent her time trying not to get splashed.
The hotel we stayed in had its own theme song and dance and had performances each night. My son starred in a production of 'Peter Pan' as Mr Smee, while I freely gave the world my performance as the titular character in a production of 'Cinderella', only for the world to ask for its money back.

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And, of course, pics and anecdotes for the Post will be forthcoming...

Sounds wonderful - and very Greek.

Almost as Greek as the musical 'Grease'.

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I mean that having a museum for dinosaurs and concentrating on South America sounded very Greek.

Sorry to hear about the illness in the first week, but good to hear you managed to take at least a few photos every day, and you were all able to get out and about in the second week.

Sounds fantastic all those museums and sites, although slightly odd that the Natural History Museum of Crete focused on South America! Great that the hotel was entertaining, too - I enjoyed a holiday in Greece at a hotel with activities, and it was excellent fun as there was something for everyone, although sadly the stage was not accessible so I wasn't allowed to inflict my dramatic 'skills' on anyone in the evenings, but I enjoyed watching my sister when she was allowed to participate in a performance.

I hope you saw many interesting things on Crete.

The first thing I thought of was the film 'The Moon Spinners' with Haley Mills. As our resident Disney expert I am sure you are familiar with it. I did find a You Tube cut of almost the entire film. but it cut off the last 15 minuets or so, removing the climax of the story.

I was also reminded of the opening part of 'Exodus' with the Jewish survivors of WWII trying to escape to Israel.

Looking forward to reading about your adventures.

F S

I've had a handy Greek phrasebook for well over a decade, that I've carried with me all around such places as Rhodes, Athens, Cyprus and now Crete , and have yet to find anyone who doesn't speak English…

Strangely enough, 'The Moon Spinners' is the only Disney film starring Hayley Mills I've not seen. Well, you can't see everything – and I've never called myself an expert - but I'll look out for it. You never know, it may be on the telly sometime soon…

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It must be a musical if it's got 15 minuets in it.

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The opening scenes involve a wedding party, so there is a lot of Greek dances. Then it settles into an adventure / mystery. I was going to post the link, but it ends just as everyone comes together for the big reveal. I watched for an hour and a half and was very disappointed, even though I know how it ends.

F S

The Moon Spinners is one of my favourite Haley Mills films.

I think I prefer 'The Truth About Spring', but that was produced by Universal. It also includes John Mills who plays, by a strange decision in casting, her father.

One of my other favourites is 'The Chalk Garden' A quick search does not give the production company, but I am almost sure it was not Disney. This is a study of a troubled girl who is given into the custody of a nanny with even a more troubled past.

All three are worth watching, and probably good to share with your children – but watch them first and use your own judgement.

F S