Up the mountain...down the mountain...to the sea

Day 20 Stavros to Plakias via southern route

Well I think we did the most switchbacks today than ever before. We counted 27 switchbacks and 37 big curves getting from the top of a mountain to the ocean at the bottom. The road in most places was only one car wide and the car coming up the hill had to wait for the car coming down the hill to make the turn before it proceeded around the turn...

The shoreline here is very rugged with a lot of rock and jagged cliffs. But, the sea is like a song with the waves crashing melodically on the shore just meters from our patio door! The deep blue Aegean waters are stunningly bright with the whitecaps rolling toward the shore and breaking on the large black rocks.

 

The power went out in the entire town of Plakias as we were walking from the Taverna where we ate dinner back to the hotel tonight. We had a wonderful medley of samplings of Cretan food at the Sophia resturant.

You are wondering (no doubt) why so many times the food is half eaten before we take a picture...simple answer...it looks so good we forget to take the picture first! I am getting better at remembering the picture but Don still digs in to the food first!

So, we had nothing to do but star watch...Don pulled a big, thick blanket from the cabinet , took the pillows from the bed and put it all out on the balcony. We laid there and watched the stars moving across the dark velvet sky with no lights to be seen at all! It was pure magic....not something that will be easily forgotten.

 

Dionysus Hotel in Mytikas

The Dionysus Hotel in Mytikas really lived up to its name. Dionysus is the ancient god of food, drink, and hospitality who always makes sure everyone has a good time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysus

Our hosts were wunderbar! They spoke fluent German (daughter lives in Germany). I didn't realize how much German I understand before staying with them!! They did not speak much English but were adept at hand language and sounds that exemplify meaning! They were so very helpful and friendly I would have to rate the service a 10 (only because the scale doe s not go any higher).
This husband and wife team made us feel right at home. He even drove us to a nearby village when the market we wanted to go to was closed at that time of day. They gave us a map and a tour book of the area with local archaeological sites and even drove us to one nearby.
Our hotel room was spotless, large, and well appointed. The hotel was modern and well kept.

There was a beautiful sandy beach within a few steps of the hotel in a secluded little cove with warm water and a few bathers. Our host mentioned that this was a wild beach (clothing optional)).

 

 

Breakfast at the Dionysus could be classified as an event which Dionysus himself would be envious of and would definitely approve. It consisted of fresh coffee, fresh squeezed juice, a tray of cold meats and cheeses, boiled eggs, fresh bread with creamy butter, breakfast cakes with jam, and jellies and to make sure we didn't leave hungry ....watermelon!

Oh my goodness...there was so much care and attention put into this breakfast preparation and presentation that we felt like long time friends visiting again! The hotel, hosts, and food well exceeded our expectations and I would highly recommend it to anyone who comes this way.

Travel Question

What is the price of hotels in Turkey? Do you have any that are recommended?