Day Two – Loutro to Chora Sfakia

We started the day on the ferry crossing from Chora Sfakion to loutro (co-ordinate E-024.13562 N-35.19959). On the journey we saw scree slopes, clast on the cliffs, caves and Dave’s favourite word, gullies. At Loutro Emma saw the men unloading supplies, mainly for the tourist influx to the area, this included nectarines, tomatoes and coca-cola. Also along with the internet cafe it is evidnece of globalisation and shows that they are not completley cut off from the rest of world, they are only secluded by the transport as the only link is by ferry.

men unloading supplies E-024.08328 N-35.19906

Before the walk we stopped for a drink at a cafe (co-ordinates are E- 024.07948 N- 35.20027). Here we took a group photo (17 ) before setting offon our challenging journey back to Chora Sfakion. next we walked up some steep steps and saw a sign for kayaking, which was in English, showing that this was aimed to tourists.

Between here and sweetwater we encountered the gullies and scree slopes that were viewed form the boat.  The vegetation was very diverse and included cacti, olive groves, heather and a vegetation that is to be confirmed later with use of photos.  The fauna included lizards, bees and butterflies and many others.  We met a tourist walking, from New Zealand and she was very friendly. On the coast we spotted some rubbish, a sewage outlet and are unsure how it got there, due to the difficulty to reach the shoreline.  The path in places had a man-made edge to them to mark it where it was passing scree and gullies and is likely to be washed away every storm. In some places there were red soils – indicative of iron oxides. At 2.14 we stopped for a break in the first shade we found in half an hour of walking.

Sweetwater is located at E-024.10634 N-35.19893. It was a well sorted stony beach with fresh water springs and nudists. After a paddle we went to the taverna and got a drink. This is the most popular and largest beach in the are with boat taxis going to and from. On the far end there were very active large scree slopes with large boulders on the shoreline. The vegetation here was sparsely distributed with only small shrubs. we left at 3.40pm.

The next leg of the trip was to Chora Sfakion. This area had a very narrow windy path  where the swallows “whooshed” past.  On the GPS it is called “Crazy”  (co-ordinates of  E-024.11468 N-35.20167). Near the end of the E4 coastal path we were filmed by Ken which put pressure on trying to avoid falling over and embarass ourselves. At the end of the path the landscape from here to Chora sfakion is highly influenced by man made surfaces e.g crash barriers, roads, storm drains, concrete sides and re-constructed much of the landscape to suit modern needs (the road from Chora Sfakion to Anoplois).

Quote of the day

1.Everyone – Yamas!

Emma – “Mussel toes” (apparently cheers in Russian?)

2. Emma – “this wines like Ribena” (she was a wee bit drunk from Raki)

Highlight – Conquering the E4  coastal path.

Lowlight – Sunburn for the grils and scary nudists.