WARNING!!! EVENTS MAY BE EXAGGERATED
Dear Bloggers!
We started off on the usual 10:30 ferry, but this time took it all the way to Agia Roumelli. Once we set foot on dry land, the heat hit us like never before. Following an unfortunate suncream mishap in Becki’s bag, and without our usual break, we enthusiastically began the trek towards the gorge and soaked up all the beautiful scenery that surrounded us (whilst Kat’s shirt simultaneously soaked up all the sweat that covered her back).
We were taken aback by the vast contrasts between the Ilingas Gorge and what was in front of our eyes today at Samaria. We could see that the gorge was aimed much more towards tourists (i.e socks and sandal wearing Germans).
The Samaria Gorge - almost pedestrianised!
Within no time we reached our target of the Iron Gates, and this is when the story splits…
THE IRRITATED GIRLS: As we sat slaving away in the sun, our so called friends and supposed team members took things one step too far, quite literally. ” We’re just heading further up the gorge”, they said. “We wont be long”. Hours passed by, darkness fell, and still no sign of the boys. We grew hungry, cold, confused and distressed, but we battled through. Then, suddenly, in the distance, with our tired eyes we saw something vaguely familiar, something we’d seen before, a long long time ago. No, it couldn’t be, but it was, it was the white hat.
THE ‘HEROIC’ BOYS: After our easy trek towards the iron gates, the downright lazy girls (of which we carried most the way up the gorge) collapsed at their knobbly knees at the base of a tree. As the gentlemen that we are, we offered them food and water, but rudely they refused. For the purpose of both adventure and geomorphological interest, we gallantly took to lands which had never been seen (by the girls) before. We explored areas which dazzled and amazed us (apart from the toilets which were just a squat pit!). On our way we noted many extra notes to aid us with our work. We covered a substantial distance in the short time we had, then had to consider the ladies welfare. We said we would only be an hour but graciously we came back in 55 minutes. The girls, surprisingly, were not happy, even though we were early! And boy did they not let us forget it! As we came over the horizon, we saw the damsels in distress and we came to their aid as two Prince Charmings (but better looking). Even though we knew they were very happy to see us, they pretended to be angry, but you could see the smiles under their sweat and tears.
With the group reunited at last, we FINALLY set off downhill and took a quick stop where ‘Hench’ Matt enjoyed his ice cream just a little too much…
After admiring some sweet little kittens, it was time for the direction bandit to strike once more, where he deceived us through trickery and lies. We thought we could trust him, even after last time, but this time he crossed the line by forcing us to eat the local delights, as enjoyed by goats and sheep.
Once again being misled by Richard into eating the local delicacy aka GOATS FOOD!
Back in Agia Roumelli, we interviewed several locals and gained a wider perspective of the area and the noticeable differences within the region of Sfakia. Primarily the number of tourists present, the ecotourism in place within the gorge and also the slight increase in prices. Enjoying a well earned ice cream we boarded the ferry to return to the hotel.
