The Good Samarian Hike

The initial view in Samaria
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So I'm an abuse puppy.  Instead of taking an easy day after so much driving I signed up for a 5 am wakeup call in order to catch a tour bus for a hike down the longest hikeable gorge in Europe.  Called Samaria National Park the hike consists of 16 kilometers which switchbacks down deep to the bottom of the gorge and finishes a short distance to the sea.  We picked up our guide named Valerie in passing and she spoke fluent English as well as German.  She sent us on our way after a breakfast break and a sheet of instructions which I managed to not get a copy of.  She also assured everyone that she would be watching our backs literally as she was hiking behind us.

Morning light and distant mountains
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The path led through pine forests with dramatic views of cliffs and the cleanest, clearest stream which we were able to dip our water jugs in but no feet please.

There was a chapel to St Nicholas or Agia Nicoleaus which is constructed of rough stone and crumbling tile roof.  it made a beautiful picture against the backdrop of cliffs.

I set a rapid pace humming "Dream a little dream of me" and almost dancing down the path until I came to my senses and slowed down in order to enjoy the rest of the journey.

One of the resident goats who greeted us as we hiked
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halfway is the ruins of the village of Samaria which was abandoned by dictat when the area became a national park in the 1960's.  Now used by the rangers it is a popular spot to eat any lunch you may have packed in with you.  I had purchased a sandwich at the breakfast stop and now ate the stale bread with one slice each of cheese and meat with relish.  There are water stations all along the trail so no need to dehydrate.

The gorge narrows right before ending.  More sensible travelers begin at the sea end to reach here.  There were bees floating on the backwash of wind coming through the narrows.  It made a curious vision.  They seemed to be enjoying the ride.

The stream in Samaria
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As I departed the gorge I stopped at a coffee stand and ordered a frappe.  It consists of nescafe whipped into a froth.  It was as awful as it sounds.  One sip and I left my cup and went on down to the seaside town.  There I had time for a lunch and a dip in the ocean before boarding the ferry that took us to where the bus was parked.

I nearly missed the bus.  I must have took more time to purchase some water than I thought because it was pulling out of the parking lot as I got up to it.  When they stopped Valerie asked me " Are you a part of this group?"  Hello.  How could you not notice the guy with the SRI LANKA shirt in bright blue and yellow who you just recently handed a ferry pass to?

gorge walls
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I happily showered and joined Elisabeth and Manu a cute Belgian lad who she had worked with for dinner which consisted of a strawberry based sauce over chicken.  It was......interesting.