Here is the final instalment of out journey!
Having said Adio to Yorgus and settled back in the car on the square in Mochos, we headed out of the town towards the Lassithi plateau Travelling along the valley floor, we looked out at the majestic mountain ranges that surrounded us, and at the road we had to travel. some amazing sights met us along the way.
As we began to climb into the mountains, we began to get some idea of the way we had come and the wild beauty of our adopted home. although the land is mostly dry in the summer heat, the staggering power of nature to enhance and flourish in theis climate is easily visible. And Man's efforts to try to tame this island were also self evident as we looked back towards the convent and the village far below.
As we sttod in the lay by taking these pictures, another car pulled in to admire the panorama laid out. The couple who were from Russia, fell into converstaion with Bjorn and John. the lovely lady spoke marvellous English, which was very lucky, as none of us can speak any Russian! We shared the joys of what was laid out before us, and then walked towards our seperate vehicles. It was then that I spotted something on the hillside above us. Using the zoom on my camera, it became clear it was some working traditional windmills!
To my delight, bjorn informed us that the road we were taking would pass very close to them, so we decided we would investigate...
As the road wound its way up the steep mountain, I found myself wondering at the enormity of what had been done - in history, the farmers, shepherds and holy men who traversed these treaherous mountains with only goat paths to follow: the Andartes against the Ottomans and other invaders: and in more recent times, the men who strove to cut roadways through this imperial landscape...amazing feats of courage, endurance and imagination! What inspiration for us all to take from the population of this 5th largest island of the Mediterranean.
suddenly, we were right beneath the windmills! As we rounded the next bend in the road, we saw a signpost about Homo spaien Village, so we took the turning...
Imagine our surprise at finding this signage on the cafe at the car park as we clambered out of the car...
Quite an impressive statement of intent. However...now, I'm probably a bit cynical, and while I realise that everyone has to make a living, there's a limit to even my suspension of belief! While John went to peruse the shop and cafe, and Aase went to find the ladies, Bjorn and I wanted to take a closer look at the windmills (which were happily pumping water down into a trough in the car park.)
We found a sign pointing the way, and walked through a tunnel cut into the rock, with olive trees set into the roof as if shoring it up. as we rounded the corner, we could see the entrance to the Homo Sapien Village through some gates to our left, and the balcony floor of the cafe to our right. The path continued past a small sentry-like box, up to the windmills, so we turned that way...
Suddenly, a balding Greek spoke to us and smiled: 'three euros each please.' We stopped and looked at him, a little puzzled.
Bjorn smiled and spoke up for us. 'No, we aren't going to the village, just the windmills.'
'Three euros please. Same price.' , replied the man (still smiling, but it started to look kind of waxy!)
'Oh, sorry we misunderstood', replied Bjorn, and we both in unison turned and walked back down the tunnel!
As I say, I'm all in favour of the entrepreneur spirit, but there was no signs to say there was an entrance fee for the windmills, and it was all VERY carefully set up. however, we got our pictures from the car park instead, and then left!
Once more we continued up through the mountains, passing the ruins of mills as we reached the pass into Lassithi plateau. There was a cafe there, but seeing the large coaches parked, we decided to continue on. I had been warned that most of the windmills that the valley floor was famous for (it's nickname was Valley of A Thousand Windmills) had gone: I wasn't prepared to see the sadly neglected and derelict sight that we saw. there are maybe one or two windmills still in working order, and those few are either at cafes, or at the approach to the Dichtian Cave.
We had arrived. We decanted from the car in the park at the base of the climb, and prepared for the walk. there is a new route, but Aase felt we should use the older, more original pathway, so we did. The path is made of cobbles, laid into huge steps. In many places, the rocks have worn smooth with the passing of so many feet, and there is evidence of the erosion of time and weather. After the first few metres, we saw the donkeys that offer to take visitors up to the cave site, but we declined, and continued on foot.
The pathway is cut along the face of the mountain, climbing in a meandering fashion through the trees that grow profusely there. Suddenly, from the shaded groves, we came out into the sunlight and had the vista of the plateau laid out before us...
We walked on after taking the pictures, climbing all the way, until we found a small rock bench in the shade of an old, gnarled tree. a few metres above us, we could see a donkey waiting patiently for anyone wishing to go back dow. after a drink, and a little chocolate, we continued upward, and met the new pathway. Now we could see the entrance to the cave ahead, and with renewed energy, we walked the last 20 metres to the admission booth.
Now I'll let the pictures do more than my words ever could...
There are many more images I want to share, and also some comments, links and emotions, as well as history. for this reason, I'll close now so I don't bore you all to death, and will add a final addendum to our trip tomorrow.
for those of you who know the caves, you will appreciate how much there is to share: for those of you who don't: maybe I can spike your interest...until tomorrow.
Having said Adio to Yorgus and settled back in the car on the square in Mochos, we headed out of the town towards the Lassithi plateau Travelling along the valley floor, we looked out at the majestic mountain ranges that surrounded us, and at the road we had to travel. some amazing sights met us along the way.
To my delight, bjorn informed us that the road we were taking would pass very close to them, so we decided we would investigate...
suddenly, we were right beneath the windmills! As we rounded the next bend in the road, we saw a signpost about Homo spaien Village, so we took the turning...
Imagine our surprise at finding this signage on the cafe at the car park as we clambered out of the car...
Quite an impressive statement of intent. However...now, I'm probably a bit cynical, and while I realise that everyone has to make a living, there's a limit to even my suspension of belief! While John went to peruse the shop and cafe, and Aase went to find the ladies, Bjorn and I wanted to take a closer look at the windmills (which were happily pumping water down into a trough in the car park.)
We found a sign pointing the way, and walked through a tunnel cut into the rock, with olive trees set into the roof as if shoring it up. as we rounded the corner, we could see the entrance to the Homo Sapien Village through some gates to our left, and the balcony floor of the cafe to our right. The path continued past a small sentry-like box, up to the windmills, so we turned that way...
Suddenly, a balding Greek spoke to us and smiled: 'three euros each please.' We stopped and looked at him, a little puzzled.
Bjorn smiled and spoke up for us. 'No, we aren't going to the village, just the windmills.'
'Three euros please. Same price.' , replied the man (still smiling, but it started to look kind of waxy!)
'Oh, sorry we misunderstood', replied Bjorn, and we both in unison turned and walked back down the tunnel!
As I say, I'm all in favour of the entrepreneur spirit, but there was no signs to say there was an entrance fee for the windmills, and it was all VERY carefully set up. however, we got our pictures from the car park instead, and then left!
Once more we continued up through the mountains, passing the ruins of mills as we reached the pass into Lassithi plateau. There was a cafe there, but seeing the large coaches parked, we decided to continue on. I had been warned that most of the windmills that the valley floor was famous for (it's nickname was Valley of A Thousand Windmills) had gone: I wasn't prepared to see the sadly neglected and derelict sight that we saw. there are maybe one or two windmills still in working order, and those few are either at cafes, or at the approach to the Dichtian Cave.
We had arrived. We decanted from the car in the park at the base of the climb, and prepared for the walk. there is a new route, but Aase felt we should use the older, more original pathway, so we did. The path is made of cobbles, laid into huge steps. In many places, the rocks have worn smooth with the passing of so many feet, and there is evidence of the erosion of time and weather. After the first few metres, we saw the donkeys that offer to take visitors up to the cave site, but we declined, and continued on foot.
The pathway is cut along the face of the mountain, climbing in a meandering fashion through the trees that grow profusely there. Suddenly, from the shaded groves, we came out into the sunlight and had the vista of the plateau laid out before us...
We walked on after taking the pictures, climbing all the way, until we found a small rock bench in the shade of an old, gnarled tree. a few metres above us, we could see a donkey waiting patiently for anyone wishing to go back dow. after a drink, and a little chocolate, we continued upward, and met the new pathway. Now we could see the entrance to the cave ahead, and with renewed energy, we walked the last 20 metres to the admission booth.
Now I'll let the pictures do more than my words ever could...
for those of you who know the caves, you will appreciate how much there is to share: for those of you who don't: maybe I can spike your interest...until tomorrow.
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