For the first four kilometers there was a running stream, and a number of water crossings. Luckily, we survived with only one wet sock and partially wet boot. Then the water was diverted, it became a dry canyon for another three kilometers. The gorge is a super enchanting place. As a result, we went extra slow. When we finally emerged on the final four kilometer road to Sougia, the sun was beginning to set. Some time later, a nice lady picked us up and saved us a couple of kilometers of walking, and she told us all about the very striking dragon lilies. When we reached Sougia, we were relieved to find our beachfront room was still waiting for us.
Sougia is a tiny village on the south coast of Crete facing the Libyan sea. John loved it. We spent the next day walking west through the Lisso Gorge to the Lisso Archeological site. On Wednesday we walked east on the E4 a little bit before returning to Chania on the 15:30 bus, trying to rest up for more walking in Chania.
We arrived in Chania with an hour to kill before our bus to the trailhead of the Agia Irini Gorge Walk. So we grabbed a couple of super tasty falafel wraps at Falavela, and admired the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
The trail started out easy and well marked.
But then a series of switchbacks took us down into the heart of the gorge, and to the first of many stream crossings. .
The deepest, most narrow section was amazing, and slow going.
The Gorge introduced us to the amazing Dragon Lily. First below, no flowers yet.
As it was getting dark, we tried to pick up the pace, but that was NOT easy walking over makeshift bridges, and through the rocky, but dry stream bed.
We popped out of the Gorge and still had to walk 2 kms to the main road, and 2 kms more to Sougia and our hotel. Once we hit the main road we started hitch-hiking and soon had a ride, and were in our "sea view" room at Zorbas just after sunset.
And the same view for breakfast!
The path to the Ancient Lissos Archaeological Site was well marked, and we easily navigated through a small canyon.
More Dragon Lilies. Woohoo!
A steep uphill led to a seeming never-ending trudge in the sun across a scrubby plateau.
Then a break for lunch with views down to the old port and the Lisson archaeological site. There is a temple, not visible from here, and a small odeon/theatre which can easily be spotted.
The ruins of the ancient temple.
The Odeon up close.
The water was very clear at the small, pebbley Lissos Beach.
The return-the-same-way walk back to Sougia.
Lissos is west of Sougia, on our last morning we walked to the east on the E4 trail to catch some great views, and more Dragon Lilies. The first view is down to Sougia, the second is the other way.
And we left Sougia on the afternoon Friday bus.
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