Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Plakias to Chania


Plakias to Chania

The road from Plakias  to the north coast is a major thoroughfare and traverses through the highest mountains on the island, the highest peak being     metres. We are reminded of this and of the winter weather as the road markings change from white to yellow indicating that the higher barren tops but as we descend towards the coast we move into greener regions and many small townships and extensive agricultural plots. We also see more domestic animals than we have previously encountered – predominantly goats and sheep.
Looking back on Plakia

We decide to avoid the new national road which links the eastern end of the island with the west and instead follow minor roads through the many picturesque little villages now bypassed by the freeway. We finally arrive in the large town of Chania and make our way towards the coast, frequently being frustrated by one way streets and not really knowing exactly where we are in relation to our objective of the Old Harbour.

We stop off at an internet coffee shop for a much needed coffee and to check the address and details of our hotel. The proprietor advises us to simply follow the coast back to our right for about 1.5 kilometres and we will be there. However, after only a short distance, the road becomes one-way – in the opposite direction to that in which we need to go! After wending through the maze of one way streets the foreshore is regained but we are confronted by a dead end! Following a series of instructions and occasional signs to the Old Harbour we are no closer to our objective, having been constantly frustrated by one way streets, dead ends and no turn signs. At this point a young lady informs us that you can’t actually drive to the hotel – you must park and walk. So it’s back to the dead-end we were at nearly two hours ago where we manage, after much manoeuvring, to squeeze the car into a parking space and carry our bags some 200 metres to the hotel, arriving somewhat hot and bothered. We suggest that this important little snippet of information could perhaps be mentioned on the web site.

The Old Harbour is truly magnificent and a hive of activity, while our hotel is a quaint older style building with a steeply winding seventy-two steps to our room. After dragging our luggage to the top, we are more than ready for a cuppa from the small kitchen provided for guests and we join an English couple on the balcony overlooking the harbour as we enjoy our drink in the shade of a spreading grape vine.

The temperature is around 35 degrees and forecast to be even higher for the next few days so, after some debate, we decide against walking Samaria Gorge as planned and opt for a more relaxed time around the harbour. After blogging and washing our way through what is left of the afternoon, we head out in the evening to join the crowds thronging the narrow streets which are full of happy voices and colourful shops and restaurants. A most enjoyable evening finishes with a delightful meal of fresh fish, while being entertained by a local musical group and our hostess, an Australian lady who arrived in Greece 35 years ago as a backpacker, met a charming Greek gentleman, and never left!
Old Harbour by night
Our hotel - the dark building
Street scene, Old Harbour
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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