Hike to Palaeokastro Acropolis
By Helen Grubner. Filed in Uncategorized |
Sunday 19 May-Monday 20 May 2024
The best laid plans sometimes go wrong, and on Sunday morning, I didn’t set off as early as I had hoped to hike up to Palaeokastro. There was a heat haze hanging over the island, and conditions under foot meant I had to carefully watch every step as I made my way up the rocky path.
The earliest habitation of Palaeokastro Acropolis was the 6th to the 5th century BC. There are four small chapels and churches inside the fortress walls and a fifth just outside. It is a fascinating place, and anyone making the walk up is rewarded with spectacular views.
I often think of myself as one of the roaming goats when I am walking mountain pathways in Greece, probably because I feel so free. However, hiking back down the mountain yesterday, my right knee reminded me that it was only shortly before Christmas that I fractured my patella and my left knee has been prone to playing up for a number of years.
Shortly after arriving back to civilisation, I noticed three young people contemplating the stairs to the Monastery of St George of Vouni. I called out to them and asked where they wanted to go. Only here for the day from Kaş in Turkey, they were looking for the way to Palaeokastro, so I gave them directions. I carried on to walk to Mandraki beach, where I sat for a while and beachcombed, but no finds. Once again on the road, I bumped into the same trio… one had made it to the top, the other two not. They admitted they were not fit and ill prepared.
By the time I arrived back at the harbour, I was famished and longing for an ice cold Kaiser 🍺 I returned to Meltemi Cafe Bar for lunch and who was there… none other than the intrepid trio. We got talking… Lila, Austin, and Camille, all three are writers. I loved meeting them. Lila and Austin will return to the USA for their wedding and then return to Europe. Camille has a more complex itinerary, the details of which I can’t remember.
I wasn’t feeling 💯 last night, so today has been more leisurely. Walked to the Lycian rock-cut Tomb (4th century BC), with its Doric facade carved out of the rockface, directly below the Knights Castle. It’s a historical landmark and the only Lycian Tomb in Greece, although there are many in Turkey.
Exploring more streets and alleyways as I made my way back to the harbour. A perfect sunny day with a light breeze, being on the island of Kastellórizo is akin to being in paradise. I stopped by Alexandra’s Restaurant and asked if they could make me a small Greek salad, and they obliged. I find the serving sizes way too much for me, and I hate wasting food. I had the salad with Fáva (yellow split pea dip), crunchy crusted bread, and, of course, a 🍺 It was still too much for me, so I requested the leftovers be put in a container to bring back to my room for later.
Sitting by the waters edge, I spotted an endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) swimming in the harbour. He was too quick for me. Every time he surfaced, I was too slow with my camera. Hopefully, I’ll have another opportunity whilst I’m on the island.
