Walks in Plakias - Updates and Corrections 2003 for earlier book
But we recommend you buy new, updated "Walks in Plakias" (2007)
A number of dirt tracks now have an asphalt or concrete surface, and more are likely to go this way.
Walk 1 page 3, paragraph 4
The track is now an asphalt road.
Walk 1 page 4, paragraph 3
Many of the graves in the cemetery extension have now been occupied, showing the change in style of gravestones with increasing affluence.
Walk 2 page 5, paragraph 3-4
The overgrown stony path has been cleared and is now the only route to the mill on this side of the stream. You do not, therefore, need to step through the gap in the wall.
Walk 2 page 6, paragraph 2
The small upward path, marked by a large blob of concrete is now overgrown and impenetrable. You must continue on the dirt track to the laundry and then go up left into Myrthios.
Walk 3A page 6-7, paragraph 3
This route has now been asphalted so we would recommend Walk 3B instead.But see below.
Walk 3A page 7, paragraph 2
The footpath leading directly up towards Sellia, is now a concrete road.
Walk 3B page 8, paragraph 2
Where you turn left onto a more level track at a T-junction, there is now a T-junction about 3 minutes before, where you also go left.
Walk 5 page 9, paragraph 6
The new, blue buildng is now yellow with blue balconies - it is the Villa Platanos - its driveway comes off the start of the westward track (now concrete) to Finikas.
Walk 5 page 11, paragraph 1-3
There is now a mall building with a tall chimney, by the track to Finikas Monastery. Returning from the monastery, go this small building. About 7 paces beyond the next large olive tree on the right, you should see a path heading downhill, through a fenced/gated enclosure.
(If you miss this path, the track turns fairly sharply left very soon after. If, for any reason, you cannot go down the path, stay on the track to reach the fork* (just before the new house) to the small church, described above. Go right, down, then right again. Go left on a descending concrete track – see below**).
Zigzag down on the path, squeezing past some olive trees and on through a grove of them. Go right at a fork. DAs you descend you should see palmtrees a little way in front of you to the left. The path squeezes between shrubs and you emerge by a long, narrow concrete water tank. Continue from the water tank and the path becomes a dirt track, which descends to the left, towards some palmtrees and a larger track. Turn left with the larger track across the gully and climb the other side. At the following junction go back to the right, downhill. This concrete track** swings down and curves to the left after a large (partly burned in 2003) palmtree. Keep with it to the left, and approach another dried-up streambed full of palmtrees. The route goes between them.
On the far side of the streambed stay with the dirt track which, after a while, descends. Follow through to a concrete road and house entrance. Go down left. The road runs down to the right of the grounds of the Finikas chimney-mill. The mill was once owned by the monastery, but has now been turned into a private dwelling. Bridge the stream in front of you, then follow the road which rises steeply.
Walk 5 page 11, paragraph 5
The track to the left, is now a steep, concrete road.
Walk 7 page 14, paragraph 5
The shorter but rocky footpath above Damnoni Cove is now a dirt track.
Walk 8 page 17, paragraph 3
Preveli Monasterynow has an entrance fee (€2.50 in 2003). Officially, the monastery prefers visitors to wear discreet clothing, but seems reluctant to lose the entrance fee by turning away those with bare legs or shoulders. The mobile canteen with rip-off prices has been replaced by a café (not cheap).
If you anticipate religious simplicity and a peaceful ambience at the monastery, you may be disappointed. Nowadays, the candles seem to burn brightest at the shrine of Mammon, and the place is besieged by hire-car tourists and coach tours. Replete with tourist Euros, the church authorities have embarked – with their usual anti-conservation vigour – on a campaign to bulldoze a network of dirt tracks across the surrounding countryside. A large road has been carved down to the once-isolated little church of Agios Onoufrios, and the old path and cypress trees swept away. Signs warn tourists not to go past the aggressive, barking guard dogs – possibly to prevent visitors from seeing the less-than-ascetic air-conditioned refurbishment of the back of the monastic residence.
© Lance Chilton 2003
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