Loutro to Zoras
Sunny
After a free morning in Loutro where we found ourselves pinching ourselves with such beautiful scenery we left just after midday for Chora Sfkion by ferry. We’d filled the morning in sitting overlooking Loutro at a cafe on a hill, sipping coffee and cake with David’s first ouzo at 11am and chatting with other team members and tourists. With every meal or alcoholic drink the Cretan supply a free item which can be raki, savouries with a wine or a dessert including Greek yoghurt with honey. It’s such a lovely touch.
We followed the rugged coastline by ferry for half an hour and after landing enjoyed a lunch at a local taverna.
We were on our way to our two night stay at Zaros via the Preveli Monastery.
Only two monks remain of this silent order however they have opened the grounds and church as a way of staying sustainable in a modern age.
We wandered the grounds and viewed the church and small museum and shop.
The monastery has a very interesting connection to Australia and New Zealand as they rescued soldiers during WWII. See the photo.
We had an afternoon tea stop at a village with a folk museum. A local fellow has accumulated and coordinated a collection of old items including weaving and kitchen items. His own father was the village cobbler so a small room has been set up with his father’s tools.
After driving up the winding road into the mountains we arrived at Zaros about 7pm to a lovely village and hotel. With fading light we went to dinner at a local taverna via a raki den serving local Cretan delicacies. They sure do love their raki....I don’t think we’ve had a meal in Crete without it being served (for free) after every meal.
At 9.30 we all moved outside to watch the international space station pass by as one of our group has a keen interest in this area. It wasn’t long before many from the restaurant joined us to see it pass over in a clear sky.
Tomorrow we head down the Zaros Gorge.
Sunny
After a free morning in Loutro where we found ourselves pinching ourselves with such beautiful scenery we left just after midday for Chora Sfkion by ferry. We’d filled the morning in sitting overlooking Loutro at a cafe on a hill, sipping coffee and cake with David’s first ouzo at 11am and chatting with other team members and tourists. With every meal or alcoholic drink the Cretan supply a free item which can be raki, savouries with a wine or a dessert including Greek yoghurt with honey. It’s such a lovely touch.
Beautiful Loutro...a two night stay and the end destination of our coastal walk.
We were on our way to our two night stay at Zaros via the Preveli Monastery.
Only two monks remain of this silent order however they have opened the grounds and church as a way of staying sustainable in a modern age.
We wandered the grounds and viewed the church and small museum and shop.
The monks’ quarters.
The monastery church which has a very ornate interior.
We stopped in the small village of Spilli on our way through the Idi Mountains. These little stairs caught my attention on the way to the folk museum.
At 9.30 we all moved outside to watch the international space station pass by as one of our group has a keen interest in this area. It wasn’t long before many from the restaurant joined us to see it pass over in a clear sky.
Tomorrow we head down the Zaros Gorge.
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