Drove further south on a track that became a nice new road to Neapoli. No Lidls around so we called into a proper Greek supermarket for a few bits. Nearly came unstuck with the print your own ticket weighing machine, when four tomatoes came to €7 😬Fortunately a kind local lady came to help and showed us how to use the machine properly!
We parked up at a camper stop attached to a taverna in the village of Pouda, with a view to getting the ferry across to the island of Elafonisos. It was only €5 to park the van for 24hours with all services except electricity. The owner lady told us’ You come back here after 5pm to eat’ and it sounded more like a demand than a request.😂
It’s been a very overcast day that got steadily colder and windier. The €2 ferry across was very quick and efficient and we were already stunned by the clean turquoise coloured water as we approached the tiny island. Everything in the little port seemed to be painted blue and white but not much open yet.
We decided that we had time to walk the 50 minutes along the road to Kato Nisi beach, so off we went. It was definitely a bonus that it wasn’t baking hot, but I do think this white sand beach would have looked stunning in the sunshine with its views over to the Mani Peninsula.
At this point, in his infinite wisdom, Guy realised we’d gone to the wrong beach, so suggested we walk right around the island to the other one – another hours walk. I reluctantly agreed and we followed a road, then a path, then no path at all, up and over the top of the island. It would have been a beautiful walk if there had actually been a path, as there were wild flowers and herbs everywhere between the rocks.
Eventually, we came to the huge crescent of white sand that is Simos beach and there wasn’t a soul around, other than a couple of yachts moored out in the turquoise sea. I sat down near the sand dunes, while Guy walked another mile and a half each way, to see the little causeway to yet another tiny island.
Another hours walk back to the port and we only just made the ten past six ferry – assuming it would be blue and white like the one we came on, we were close to watching it leave when Guy decided to check.
Dragged ourselves home and crawled to the owners tiny taverna for dinner. Ordered starters and main course, but it all came at once. There was enough to feed the five thousand, or, one hungry Guy!
