Wednesday 7th June.
Having seen very little in the way of attractive architecture all the way down from Igoumenitsa, it was lovely to finally see interesting little square houses. Mostly they were small, constructed with shaped rocks and terracotta roofs and there were some larger houses built much the same, but often with a square, tessellated tower attached. It was as if everyone had a little castle or fort of their own.
The 11am tour was fully booked, so we plumped for an easy slow drive down to Pyrgos Dirou, enjoying the scenery along the way. For today’s adventure, the Dyros Vlychada Cave was well worth €12 and that extra drive south down the Mani Peninsula. Life jackets were donned at the entrance to the cave and after thirty steps down into twilight, we boarded a flat-bottomed boat; six people in each boat and a man at the back with a paddle to move us along. The caves are reputed to go for miles underground. But during the fifteen-to-twenty minute tour we only floated a loop of about 1.2 kilometres.
The boat was unnervingly wobbly and some of the gaps and tunnels were only just big enough to get through. There was a lot of breathing in and ducking down under stalactites and rock walls. Rodney and I managed to score the front two seats, so the reflections, in the absolute stillness of the water ahead of us, was magical. The stalactites above looked like underwater stalagmites. It was all a bit mind bending.
The drive across to the far side of the Mani Peninsula to Camping Gythion on the east coast, only took about 40 minutes. There we pitched up under olive trees plus one, originally unnoticed, mulberry tree and spent the rest of the afternoon chilling. At one point, spots of rain sprinkled on the awning, but it was still pleasantly warm. We looked at maps and checked out what there was to see in the area. Tomorrow we’ll cycle the five kilometres into Gythio, (or is it Githio?) To look around more corners.
Thursday 8th June
Today started with a 5.5-kilometre cycle ride around the coast to Gythio. Actually, it wasn’t really around the coast, more of an up and over a hill. One of us needed a pedicure and one of us needed a haircut. We did find a place, but there were no appointments available today. So we cycled back to the campsite, washed the sheets and towels, lay by the pool and in the pool, while everything dried on the lines strung between olive trees. Blessed are the sunny wash days. Tomorrow will be a repeat of today. But hopefully include an actual pedicure for one of us and a haircut for the other at 11:00am.
Friday 9th June
Today started with scrambled eggs on toast and then the 5.5 km cycle ride up and over the hill to Gythio. One of us got a pedicure and felt overjoyed with professionally painted nails and well-scrubbed feet. And one of us now has a rather chopped up hairstyle which will thankfully grow out soon.
Being the last time we would cycle into Gythio, we locked up the bikes and had a bit of a wander on foot followed by grilled prawns and a Greek salad for lunch on the waterfront.
Now continue repeating yesterday’s list: cycle back 5.5kms to the campsite, buy a melon, lay by the pool, fall asleep reading books, eat some melon for dinner, shower, pack up and bedtime zzzzzzz.
