I've had a wonderful week in south west Crete - one outstanding walk and lots of relaxing in tavernas and on beaches. It's less than I meant to do but it feels like it was just right.
First off I took the bus to Omalos on a very winding round to the high plateau in the White mountains. There's still snow on the peaks, so the temperature is cooler on the plateau. After a night here, I walked the Samaria Gorge in a thoroughly enjoyable day. The walk is very hyped and seen as a must do for all type of tourists from serious hikers to people in sneakers, and even jandals I saw (not recommended because of the stones). However it is a stunning walk - breathtaking from the start at 1250m, down to the narrow gorge towards the end.
It took me over six hours as I kept stopping to look around and take photos. By the end I was very glad I was staying at the village of Agia Roumeli instead of getting the boat and bus back as the day trippers have to do, making it a very long day for them.
The next day I cruised past the coastal walking track on the boat - the English walking tour were little dots on one of the cliffs. I stayed at Sfakia for four days and, Loraine, I have to confess that the closest I got to the walking track from Loutro to Anapolis is sitting in a taverna at Loutro looking up at it. The track recommended by Loraine is a zigzag up this hill:
It's hard to pick my favourite from the three bays of Sfakia, Loutro and Finix. I swam at all three, and tried out the tavernas. I thought about walking and how another time I will do it with at least one other person. But I really felt like I had come to the end of my travels for now and my energy gave out. Or maybe it was just too easy to stay on the beach.
The next time I come to Crete I will head straight for here and not bother with the bigger towns. I've found my ideal holiday spot.
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