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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