Today, we left Megim Hotel after 3 nights, and Palaiochora where we have been for nearly four weeks. Most of which was spent at the lovely Grammeno.
I had walked Heidi towards Alonaki, bade a mental/ texted 2nd farewell to Eleanor and cousins because they would be heading for the airport at around 09.00, and we waved to Chris as he pedalled along back to Grammeno after his shopping trip.
We filled up the car with fuel and headed back up the hill towards Sklavopoula.
This proved to be a bit of a mistake, because, having crawled all the way back up there, the road to Elafonissi was only vaguely suggested on a signpost, which we hesitantly obeyed and so wobbled our way along a poorly surfaced and very narrow track that attracted no confidence.
In fact, we turned round and reset the Satnav and took a very long way round to reach the Elafonissi area. It was over 30 km so, later, I was not best pleased to see a sign on the left saying ‘Skavlopoula 12 km’ probably towards the road that inspired no confidence. Studying it on Google maps did not clarify matters. But the drive was interesting although some of it was repeated from yesterday.
We appeared to end up high above the tree line, leaving the olive plantations well below us and travelling through bands of broad leaves trees including chestnuts and plane trees. White Rocky shoulders on the mountains stood out .
The drive was quite scary in places but I held my nerve and wore virtual ear plugs to shut out the unhelpful advice from my left. Eventually we reached the poly tunnel coastal strip that steers you towards Elafonissi.
However, we diverted ourselves from the main road, following monastery signs and a rough track to the White Lake or Aspro Limni. I read about this in the hotel webdite.
What an amazing place – a lagoon of clear water punctured by rocks. Practically nobody was there apart from an English family and a few people who came and went. The water was slightly chilly and the fact it was a lagoon meant the deeper areas were not swept clean of fine silt. But the swimming was great. Even H joined in.
There is nothing there save a wild beauty of jumbled rocks and aquamarine water. And H can run free. Broken sunbeds and a couple of parasols and a litter bag are all it offers. And a parking area for about 5 cars.
But its serenity and solitude are to be savoured – even T was happy to hang around.
When we left after a couple of hours, we headed for Elafonissi – what a contrast – vehicles, distant people wandering in the lagoon, tacky shops etc. Dogs not allowed! Oops, I did know but had forgotten. However the nice man at hotel reception has pointed out where we can go should we rush to join the masses. We did not go down there, just surveyed the horrors from on high.
The hotel is excellent – we have what is described as a studio – modern, spacious, well equipped, and as for the the bed … No leaky shower and no awkwardly placed loo. No paddling and wet feet at midnight! It is peaceful and calm surrounded by olive trees.
But the walk back from the restaurant last night left us navigating an olive grove in the near dark. That was not fun; accommodation buildings are scattered and I was not sure where ours was. Yes, there were discretely placed lights but in the end I used the google maps to help.
Thought for the Day
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