From Kardamyli we planned on reaching Cape Tenaro the same day. Impossible task as it was pretty late in the afternoon and we also had to stop for gas and some grocery shopping.
Going for Cape Tenaro on the west coast, we stopped for the night on a remote beach near Mezapos. Beautiful, with white gravel and green/blue water. Too bad it was a bit cold outside for a bath.
The next morning we were determined to reach Cape Tenaro and we almost did. Even if we didn’t actually went by foot to the Lighthouse, again not enough time, the southern part of the “leg” was great seen from above and the water so inviting, was hard to keep everyone away from it, as we had a long way to go.
Next point of interest was the Diros Cave and we were in a big hurry to get to it. On our return we took the road on the coastline and we also passed through Vathia. I forgot to say how much we loved the architecture of the Peloponnese.
Again, we were very excited to take a ride, on a boat this time, through the Diros Cave and it was beautiful and interesting.
But soon we were on our way back to Taygetos.
It seems like the guys fell in love with the tracks here and can’t get enough of them. This time we tried the road from Sparti to Anavryti, going up. It was great fun and awesome view once we got up.
Then we continued our route to the Parnonas Mountains. The weather changed and a bit of rain started falling. It was a bit late, and cold and now rainy. It was almost night time when we reached the katafigio Parnonos and we were on a hury to put our tents up and get warmer clothes on.
The night was not that warm, but I had learned my lesson in Morocco’s mountains, so I had 3 pairs of socks on and almost all the clothes I had with me, I was fiiiine.
We were all happy to go back to the sea, no matter the beauty of the mountain tracks, at least in the first moments of the morning.
Fotis had recommended us the road to Kiparissi as being very beautiful and we took this detour and we did not feel sorry about it. Breathtaking again. We enjoyed the coast and had a coffee on Kiparissi before going back on the beautiful road, this time going up.
Now we had to reach Monemvasia. So the road took us up on the mountain and down on the coastline, and so on all day long. It was great.
1h to see the beautiful city on the rocks and then we’re back on track.
At home we found this place, in the south, near Valtaki where there should be some fossil trees, million years old. We really want to see them.
In the evening we pass Valtaki. On our left we have the sea, on our right we have these beautiful cliffs and a field of rocks detached from the mountain. And then we arrive. The fossil trees. Really amazing formations. I don’t know if they were trees or something else, but they do like like trees.
Here, me and Alex slept outside in our sleeping bags. It was a bit windy, but beautiful. In front of us we had the sea with ships sailing in the night, above we had the clear sky and the stars, at the back we had a tall mountain with a big black cloud on top. It was just the perfect place to be.
When the morning came we were a bit disappointed that we had to go. I really didn’t want to ever leave, but all good things come to an end. If we can look at the bright part it was one last, but full day.
Back to the north! But not before going to see the old underwater town of Pavlo Petri, on the Pounta beach. We knew that it is probably very difficult to see something as it is really underwater, but you can’t really see anything from the shore. We looked around for an hour, talked to some local people and they explained you have to go underwater, oh well
At least we had some fun. Looking for the town we got on this lake bed at Pounta beach, were the guys underestimated the slippery mud, so the result was 4 bikes packed together, each on a side.
From here we ride back to Taygetos, again to try and reach the Rindomo gorge, the narrow canyon we couldn’t find in our first day with Fotis. But riding to Gythio we just saw a shipwreck on our left. Immediately we turned around and went for it. It was exciting. We did not knew how famous it was. It was the first shipwreck I ever saw. Very interesting.
We continued our adventure with a flat tire on a long road full of orange orchards. It was heaven and it smelled divine.
Later, back on the road we took the same path we did at the start of the week with Fotis. Through Taygetos and to Kardamyli and it was just as beautiful as the first time.
Just above Kardamyli our group split in two. 4 of us stayed behind to fix Maca’s many flat tires (after the one in the orange orchard he had 3 more, that day) and the others went to find Rindomo gorge. Me and Alex were in the second group.
We even had some offroad on the rocks bonus track for the participants.
And then, finally, the road that took us to the canyon. It was great.
We found Rindomo gorge late in afternoon and went on foot until we reached his bottom and through it for a while. A deep narrow passage with steep rocky walls and big boulders washed by temporary flows of water. So beautiful and imposing.
But once we reached its bottom, it was only me, Alex, Sebi and Sergiu. We had lost another 3 members if the gang. We left the bikes a bit earlier then Gabi, and he never showed up down on the gorge. It seems that just and we left he noticed Sebi had a flat tire. So Gabi and his wife Dana changed it for him. Ralu also got lost taking pictures and went to the bikes at one point.
As we returned from the gorge the girls were all covered in oil and Gabi had almost finished changing the tire. We were happy. So no more delays. It was already evening.
On the way back we stopped for some olive oil at a small country shop and then we continued to Kalamata.
Because it was already nighttime when we arrived at Kalamata we decided not to continue to Kiparissia until the morning, Sergiu had no front light anyway and it wouldn’t have been too safe for him.
Pretty difficult to find a spot to camp near a city, we thought, and in the dark of the night. We took the road to the sea and just drove along the beach for a while. Soon we saw a trailer park which looked abandoned, but it wasn’t. Some nice older people were camping there and in a perfect English, although they had Greek plate numbers on their homecars, assured us it was safe to sleep in the park and that we should camp really close to them. They were very nice and friendly.
This is where we spent our final night, sleeping in a park, on a beach in Kalamata. Me and Alex slept outside again with some cool dogs)
Last coffee on the gas stove in the parc, another flat tire on the road to Kiparissia and by 11am we were all back at Kostas preparing our cars, this time, for the long journey back to Romania.
Kostas seemed happy to see us
We gave him some “tuica” as goodbye, alcohol made from plums by my father, and he gave us as gift, olive oil made by him and his family from the orchard and lemons. All delicious, I can assure you.
I wish we didn’t have to leave so soon, we all did. It was a great week. Peloponnese is so beautiful! Everyone we met was nice and friendly, and our hosts were just amazing nice to us and made us feel so welcomed. Thank you very very much to Kostas and Fotis and their families, from all of us.
We are hopeful in a return to Peloponnese someday. Until then, we are waiting for you guys in Romania. If anyone ever finds its way to Cluj-Napoca, Romania we are more than happy to share some rides and share our home with you.
Big hug from everyone!!!
Thank you!
Ramona.
Some more photos here. In process of getting a selection from everyone going. Still missing a lot
Thank you Patri and Luci for photos!
https://plus.google.com/photos/101606901800994050233/albums/6141983245799905105?authkey=CN__04TvsK_hrAEMissing a photo of Kostas on the bike
With us!
