The Other Hike to Loutro

 


After our first disappointing hike to Loutro when we went over the top of the hill, we later took the other path that goes around the hill. It was much easier! It was also very pretty.

We had lots of company. Not just walkers on this route, part of the E4 European trail, but with goats that were ambling everywhere. The first time we took this hike, as I was about to reach the highest point, a group of goats were headed straight down the trail towards me. I was a bit anxious they were going to run right into me. But I needn't have worried. They were quite polite. They scrambled up the hill away from us.



Kevin took some photos and didn't discover until after he downloaded them that apparently some goats like to hide.

What's the black spot above Kevin's shadow?



Ah, yes! It's a goat head!


The area was full of white plumed flowers. I tried to research them online, but I was unsuccessful at identifying them.



Throughout Greece, you often come across small chapels, and the south coast of Crete is no exception. We found a lovely little chapel on our hike to Loutro. We did not go in, because we were not wearing appropriate clothing, and we wanted to respect local customs, but it was in an attractive and peaceful spot, with its pure white exterior gleaming above the sparkling sea below.



It took only about 30 to 40 minutes to walk to Loutro on the lower path. I always cheated and took the boat back, but Kevin would walk both ways.


 
Arriving at Loutro, we would sit down and have a cold drink to refresh ourselves. In my case, it was fresh-squeezed orange juice that was so much better than any I've had at home.




While we loved staying at the Old Phoenix, we nonetheless enjoyed our visits to Loutro, shopping for breakfast items and snacks, and wandering around the harbor.













Coco, the greeter of Loutro.


But it was always rewarding to go back to the Old Phoenix, set in its small bay of the bluest water, with shades of turquoise and cerulean blue.


 We returned to our studio below the owner's house.

Our studio is where the tan awning is, next to the bougainvillea.


We were home again. Or at least, our home away from home.

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