ALINCA TO GEY - 16 KM
We start the day watching the sun light creep over the hills behind us to illuminate the sea - all from our little nest high above the water. Then have the lovely Mediterranean breakfast and collect what looks like an enormous lunch that we couldn't possibly finish, but we eat it all along the way.
For the first part of the hike today, we choose to walk on the road. It's a twisty, turning mountain road where we don't see a car the whole 2 hours of walking. There is an optional hike down to a secluded beach and back up again, before resuming the hike and we decide to take it. So, it's 1.5 hours down a steep zigzag path with a million switchbacks to finally arrive at a small, secluded cove. At one time, this was a landing where Romans on ships would harbour and collect taxes from the local residents who produced wheat on some terraced sections. It was a sunny, day - perfect for a bit of wading - the water was probably the temperature that the LI Sound is in late June - cold, but not frigid. Walking back up took a little over an hour and then up over the top we again meet our German friends having a snack break. After visiting, it's back on the trail again, and then walking on the road into the village of Gey. While coming into the village we meet a couple from the UK who own a home and have retired in Turkey for about 10 years - they have hiked all the local trails and enjoy the lifestyle here.
Gey is a slightly larger village than some we've seen - with a couple of small markets with only dry good - hooray for a bit of junk food!! For other food, a fruit/veggie truck came by through town and people came out to make purchases, and we imagine others must come by selling fish, meat, cheese, milk. Our accommodations were again simple - a wooden hut with small bathroom/shower combination. The heavy quilt and 2 enormous blankets on the bed gave us pause as the day was warm, but as soon as the sun set, the cold set in. The bed coverings proved adequate except that we found we had to cover our heads with a fleece as the air came through gaps in the wood siding. Dinner was served (again we are the only guests) in the dining room next to a portable electric heater (hooray for warmth!) with more good, simple food. At night there was lots of music and even some fireworks and the next day we found out that there was a wedding going on down the road.
For the first part of the hike today, we choose to walk on the road. It's a twisty, turning mountain road where we don't see a car the whole 2 hours of walking. There is an optional hike down to a secluded beach and back up again, before resuming the hike and we decide to take it. So, it's 1.5 hours down a steep zigzag path with a million switchbacks to finally arrive at a small, secluded cove. At one time, this was a landing where Romans on ships would harbour and collect taxes from the local residents who produced wheat on some terraced sections. It was a sunny, day - perfect for a bit of wading - the water was probably the temperature that the LI Sound is in late June - cold, but not frigid. Walking back up took a little over an hour and then up over the top we again meet our German friends having a snack break. After visiting, it's back on the trail again, and then walking on the road into the village of Gey. While coming into the village we meet a couple from the UK who own a home and have retired in Turkey for about 10 years - they have hiked all the local trails and enjoy the lifestyle here.
Gey is a slightly larger village than some we've seen - with a couple of small markets with only dry good - hooray for a bit of junk food!! For other food, a fruit/veggie truck came by through town and people came out to make purchases, and we imagine others must come by selling fish, meat, cheese, milk. Our accommodations were again simple - a wooden hut with small bathroom/shower combination. The heavy quilt and 2 enormous blankets on the bed gave us pause as the day was warm, but as soon as the sun set, the cold set in. The bed coverings proved adequate except that we found we had to cover our heads with a fleece as the air came through gaps in the wood siding. Dinner was served (again we are the only guests) in the dining room next to a portable electric heater (hooray for warmth!) with more good, simple food. At night there was lots of music and even some fireworks and the next day we found out that there was a wedding going on down the road.