Day Trip to Samaria Gorge

Damon treading carefully
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Today we got up very early to catch the 6:15 AM burs from Hania south to the village of Xyloskalo (about 1 hr), the mouth of the Samaria Gorge.

The gorge is supposedly the longest in Europe, with a trek of about 18 km.  At the start of the trek, the temperature was a cool 16°C (a nice relief from +30°C).

The first 0.5 km or so was really challenging as we had to follow a zigzagging path down with loose, slippery rocks.  About halfway through the trek, the temperature increased to the upper 20s again but at least the walk started getting easier and there were spectacular views of the gorge.

View from the path
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We started the trek at about 7:30 AM and finished just after 12 PM.  At the end of the trek we followed a windy lane into the seaside viallge of Agia Roumeli.  Given that this southern section is so mountainous, the village can only be reached by boat.

While we waited for the 3:45 PM ferry, we enjoyed a swim at the beach.  Damon and Aidan enjoyed some gyros.  The water was a very clear blue and the beach was made up of small sones (very hot too touch).  We all enjoyed jumping the waves.

Beach at Agia Roumeli
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Our ferry took us from Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion where we caught a bus back to Hania.  This bus took us on the most windy of roads through the mountains.  There were a couple of close calls.

Once we reached Hania and collected our big packs from luggage storage, we caught another bus east to the city of Rethymno, arriving at about 9:30 PM.  We stayed there at a youth hostel, which was already in full swing with lots of hostelers enjoying cheap beers.  As Damon put it, it was like a dorm party.  Our room had cramped bunks but luckily we had the room to ourselves.  Still, a definite step down in accomodation for us.

View from the bus window as we leave Chora Sfakion
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Early Friday morning, Aidan and Ainsley got up early to check out the harbour and fortress (Damon slept).  Rethymno is pretty small without a lot of the charm of Hania.  By 10:45 AM, we were on the bus east to the city of Iraklio where we'll be staying for the next 3 days.