Strength, Serenity, and Wisdom: Lazying in Σούγια (Greek Adventures Vacation Journal, Day 4)

So, Monday, May 27, 2019 (Memorial Day, technically, but we won't observe our memorial day for a couple more days), we wake up in Rethymno. I had a good nights rest, with only one interruption. The Russians. Always the Russians (any Stranger Things fans out there?). They were arguing in the middle of the night. Probably because of the election.

Good Morning, Rethymno. Sorry to say goodbye so soon.

photo credit: Chris

So then we drive to Sougia, with a quick stop at the Samaria Gorge trailhead. I, of course, kept my eyes closed the whole time. (windy curvy roads. windy curvy roads, everywhere.) But the boys, driver and navigator, made sure to stop when looking at anything spectacular.

panoramic of pretty stop in the road.

The Samaria Gorge is a popular hiking spot. We didn't go down, but Brent and Julia have on a previous trip. Its spectacularly beautiful. The mountain air is heavenly. Smells like herbs, most heavily of sage. I drank some sage tea the other day, and I was immediately transported to this beautiful mountain landscape of western Crete. (In other news, the Bachelorette is going to Crete on the show being aired next weeeeeek!!!!!)
I also think this area is called Omalos. My research notes tell me that it is the orange growing region of western Crete. And these are the White Mountains. This area was also used as a refuge during the uprisings against the Turks and you evidently can still see the 'castle' of the famous chieftain Hadzimihalis Giannaris, one of the great rebel leaders of the 19th century. (We didn't see this.)

And onward to Sougia (Σούγια) a small seaside village in South Crete. It is a great place for swimming and sunbathing (which Chris and I took advantage of!). And there are reportedly poppies and wild orchids in this area. (I didn't see any orchids, but saw several poppies throughout the trip.)

Lunch in Sougia. I had pesto pasta.

Hotel

That one time when we broke the door to our hotel:

We figured out the mess of our hotel room door, which required drills, and all kinds of noise, courtesy of the salt n' peppa gentleman who I think owned the place. We sat and waited out front on some patio chairs. And I didn't mind the wait at all. It gave me a moment to soak in and process this delicious beautiful country. Sougia became one of my favorite places. Just a sleepy seaside town, popular with the hikers. Lots of travelers passing thru on foot with their hiking sticks and other gear.
Sougia beach time!!!

PSA: No pooping on the beach.

Chris and his snorkel "equipment".

Heather's sunbathing equipment

The stones of the beach were warm and heavenly. Highly superior to sand beaches. The temperature was perfect.

photo credit: Chris

Photo credit: Chris

So after our lazy beach afternoon (Brent and Julia went on a hike instead of the beach: Lissos, where they looked down upon some cool ruins), we had dinner. The locals from our hotel were eating here too. We think one of them was the son of the accordion player.