Loutro

Greetings,


Harry and I ventured out again... this time to the south of the island. A little place called Loutro.






He needs his morning coffee with ham and cheese omelet to get started....actually we arrived early (not a normal phenomena) and had to pass a little bit of time away. I suggested shopping and Harry of course wanted food.

The only way to get to Loutro is by ferry from Chora Sfakion. There is no road there, which is part of its unique charm.

The boat leaves the harbour at Chora Sfakion, travels past the steep coastline with its caves and cliffs dropping sheer into the deep blue water, and enters the calm bay of Loutro where a row of white houses comes into view, crowning the small beach hidden in the arms of the Sfakia mountains.

Loutro lies on the south coast of Chania Prefecture in west Crete, between Chora Sfakion and Agia Roumeli, the exit to the Samaria Gorge. The whole area is known as Sfakia and the inhabitants, the Sfakians, are fierce, proud mountain dwellers. They have taken part in every struggle against the foreign invaders of Crete, whether Venetian, Turkish or German.

Loutro is a small place but it too has a rich history. This is the site of the ancient city of Phoenix, an important harbour in Hellenistic and Roman times. Today nothing remains of ancient Phoenix except the name preserved by the small village in the bay west of Loutro.

Every house in Loutro gives the impression that it’s trying to squeeze in next to the sea. In Loutro you drink your coffee, eat and sleep next to the sea.

From your window you can gaze out at the sapphire sea in the daytime and watch the moon reflected in the calm dark waters at night. Swim from the small pebble beach, have a beer in a taverna, enjoy the peace and quiet and feel the stress and tensions of everyday life melt away into the unruffled water.

Here we are relaxing... enjoying yet another food pit stop. This time ice-cream.

On the water taxi ride back we found a secluded little beach. Once in the car...we searched for the hideaway... thinking a nice relaxing sunbath would be enjoyable.

It was... except for the rocks..... both Harry and I have tender feet..... very tender feet.

But the view was spectacular. Around every bend was some sort of cave. As long as we stayed in the water and did not have to walk... we were okay.

The rocks were just too much. Either that or we are big babies. I think Destin beaches have spoiled us.

We had a nice time.... I wonder if I am going to miss this when we leave?

Blessings to those with "yard" feet,

Kristie