Sunday September 22, 2019
NAXOS, Greece – Time to catch up on a few things.
First, I sincerely apologize for not posting pictures. Since I have my laptop back and I’m able to pull up the blog on my iPhone, I’ll post pictures beginning with this entry.
For today, Sunday, this was a terrific beach day. The west coast of Naxos had most of the best beaches on the island and we selected Plaka, about 10 kilometers southwest from the port.
After three months last summer in Europe and back again, I’m thinking in kilometers these days, and not miles, and euros and not dollars. Guess the Europe thing in settling in and it’s a great feeling.
Anyway, we took the bus to Plaka. It’s 2 euros each, one way, and the bus stop is literately outside of our door. Of course, the bus stop is front of a bakery and the bread this morning was amazing. Crunchy on the outside and a kind of sourdough on the inside. Can’t find anything close to this in any American supermarket or bakery.
Waynette made a great Greek salad for lunch and the two containers fit neatly in our cooler. We have our usual two hydro-flask bottles with water and fruit, too. Since I bought a beach lounge on Crete, I carried that across three islands and Waynette has a folding chair and her noodle for the water.
Plaka beach is at the end of the bus line, about a 20 minute or so ride from our stop. The beach is considered “organized,” and by Greek standards, there are umbrellas and chairs. The water was clam and ideal for kids and families.
Plaka is also an international beach. If you walk about 100 meters, or about 300 feet, the beach is clothing optional. Those who wish to get an all-over tan are happy campers.
The color of the sand is golden and fine. Unlike beaches on Crete and Santorini, there is no true sand beaches but only pebbles and rocks. The sand on Plaka is similar to the beaches in California and simply the best we found. The water is that teal and emerald color and no rocks or slopes down into the water.
The only negative was the wind today and it had to be blowing 25 to 45 MPH, and an occasional gust. No one was in the water but the day was spectacular. Low humidity, not a cloud in the sky and a warm, delicious summer sun. We caught the 5 o’clock bus back but missed our stop. We ended up on the port, normally about a 15-20 minute walk. Since this was the first time for us, we wandered through the back way and the walk from the dock was double the time.
After showers, we headed out to dinner.
A quick word on Greek cuisine. Waynette had has moussaka several times and I’ve stuck to the chicken soulavkki. The portions in Greece are enormous and we quickly came to the conclusion Greeks love to eat. I love fries but the amount given for one serving could be enough for two or three people. Plus, a Greek salad, by itself, is the perfect lunch.
On the way back from the beach and at the port, we hired a car for Monday. There are a few archological sites and villages worth seeing on Naxos and I’ m sure we’ll find time to hit a beach on the east coast. We’re taking the car for only one day and Tuesday, we’ll head back to Plaka beach.
We leave Naxos on Wednesday and have a 10:40 a. m. ferry to Mykonos.
WEATHER – sunny, low 80s, very windy.
PICTURES FROM TODAY – Images from Naxos, the beach at Plaka.
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