Today has set the theme for the remainder of our time here. We have dropped out of traveller mode and for the next 5 days are in holiday mode. I said before this is easily one of our favourite places. We know it well and love it. It’s not Singapore or some remote Indian tea plantation but it is one of our special places.
Crispy adores it so for the next few days it’s her time. We plan to do no sightseeing or adventuring. We are going to chill to the max. Bed, beach and relax. We normally get bored after two days anywhere (Maybe with the exception of Kathmandu but that’s for completely different reasons) but I think we will just enjoy being here, doing nothing, and taking a temporary rest from the travelling.
The little house we are staying at makes it all the more special. It really is beautiful and incredibly quiet although it is in the heart of the busy centre. Parga is busy now even though the season isn’t in full swing. Word must be spreading fast how amazing it is. We will find out who broke the code of silence about this place and rest assured there will be repercussions.
Today was spent at the beach. We tend to use Valtos beach for our taking of the waters. Valtos beach is the biggest of the four main beaches here and certainly the most popular. To get to it you must climb the steps to the castle from the town and then descend the steep footpath on the opposite side to the beach. It’s a fair old climb but we think it’s worth it. We consider it our morning workout. Normally a cafe operates within the castle and does good coffee but it isn’t open. Entrance to the castle is free and it’s worth a look around as the views of Parga and Valtos are spectacular from here.
Valtos is a pebble beach compared to the others which are Sandy. We have tried them all but we prefer Valtos. There is a spot directly underneath the Castle that is always quiet. No sun loungers or beach paraphernalia. Just a few trees and Rocky outcrops. The sea is crystal clear here and the tree affords a modicum of free shade. It’s a great spot for snorkelling. Although the sea is rocky we have never seen urchins so you can stand or sit on the submerged rocks without fear of injury. We have been the victim of the little black spiky sea monsters several times and are always conscious of them lurking under the waves.
We sunbathed and swam and enjoyed the day of nothingness. Crispy reading her book and me practicing my bagpipe tunes. After several hours we sauntered home via the castle and had a bite to eat before taking a walk through the town and along the harbour
After a cheeky glass of wine at one of our favourite restaurants we strolled back home. There were crowds of milling tourists everywhere. The little alleyways were full to capacity with visitors. We don’t mind though as in all the years of coming here we have never seen groups of drunken lads or noisy badly behaved people of any nationality. It’s always a very sedate crowd of people just meandering through the little town going nowhere. Either young couples pushing prams or middle aged couples enjoying the atmosphere of the place. We have never seen a policeman in Parga. Ever. There’s not many places that you can claim that.
As soon as we turned down “our” private alley it was calm and silent. We could be in a different town. It is perfect for us.
At the restaurant we had visited for a drink we met a Dutch couple returning here to celebrate their wedding anniversary. They too love this place and are regular visitors. We had a very pleasant hour chatting about everything and nothing. They are the first people we have spoken to since starting our adventure.
There will probably be nothing of interest to report for the remainder of our time here as we are now firmly in “holiday mode” for the next few days. As I said before it is going to be Beach, bed, relax.
If anything develops then of course I will report back forthwith. Oh and for goodness sake DO NOT mention the Bikini incident. It is far too painful a subject at the moment and I haven’t yet recovered from the shock of it. I’ll leave it there. At some point in the future it will raise its fearsome head but not yet. It is still too raw.
Bare and Crispy signing off. Probably for a few days, Parga, Epirus, Greece
Looks and sounds beautiful, enjoy your time xxx
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