We set off at quite a brisk pace and can still see the Mediterranean far below us. It’s quite a wide track to begin with with a downward slope well it warms us up a bit. We come across a strange building which has a ‘museum” window which has links to climbing and Elvis and more. The language of this sign is also interesting.
We come across a very hopeful stall, selling honey and offering juice. Lots of seeds/ grain drying in the sun and an unusual “lounge” area. Too early for a stop for us and there are goats to negotiate.
Today’s walk has a lot of ascent, over 900 metres. We are in a mix of pine forests and more open areas. The ground is remarkably dry and as the temperature is about 27degrees it isn’t going to change.
We see the first of the many beehives we will come across and our footpath has been directed a little away from them. Still some great views as we continue to climb up. Many plants that are well adapted to their environment or have been dried by the heat plus a lot of small wild cyclamen.
Still going upwards but good views out at points. This is good walking but as of yet not too many main features. By my reckoning we are making quite good time and then a bit of a hiccup. Nebil stops us and tells us to cover up as much as possible – sleeves, hoods – he has just come across a couple – she has been stung badly and their rucksacks are covered in hornets , just off the path. They possibly disturbed a nest off the route. We walked hastily passed , feeling bad that there was nothing we could do to help.
Our route took us near remote villages until we came to one where we stopped for our lunch break. We had a packed lunch from the hotel so it was just a matter of buying drinks. This looked as if it was a mini resort although a long way above the sea. Around the next corner we spotted another resort with “African type round hut ‘ accommodation, very strange.
Our path skirts around mountains until we can look back and see our lunch spot perched at the top of the hill some distance away. There really are bee hives everywhere. Some parts are really arid but then we come across an ancient water cistern built possibly by the Ottomans – a rather complex history in this area.
Nebil was concerned we might run out of daylight but we arrived at our village destination earlier than expected and surpassed his expectations. We were staying in a village ‘guest house’ – some cabins for twos and then a four and a three up a steep staircase for seven of the women.
As we were in a small village there was of course the call to prayer but this was also a small farm, with the added attraction of puppies! Showers ended up being very staggered due to two power cuts and rather a lot of beer was drunk before a wonderful homemade meal.
So in the end it was about 19.5 kilometres / quite a challenging day but rewarding.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 