First Hike, Part 2 - updated

Well the last post seemed like it was getting a little long, so I've decide to continue this as a second post. Here we are at the second break. No tsikoudia this time! It was really hot in this valley.

...and up we go!

Another culture shock is the way they slop paint on the rocks as trail markers.

Some dude on the hike blotting out the sun:

Here he is again. Frikkin' photobombers.

We head left on that road up there. I'm starting to get pretty tired by now. BTW that structure is for water for sheep. I think I took a video of it. Maybe I'll upload it later.

The road! Ah, now I can catch my breath for a while...

But it ain't over! The hardest hiking of the trip is just ahead ... the guy to the left send only 40 minutes of climbing left, but it ending being more like 70 or 80 for me. :-P

Looking back down on the road.

Time for a quick nap! I'll have to ask my cousins if it looks like I'm flipping you off in this photo!

Seriously bonking at this point. I'm having to stop and catch my breath every few steps.

I don't think I've ever been more glad to see a road.

.... and down to Omalos ...

That's it in the distance, on the valley floor ...

Passing by an historic church (or monastery?) called St. Michael's (Άγιος Μιχάλης)

Here's the hotel/taverna where we ate after the hike:

A glimpse of the marker at the top of the trail from the bus:

The road down was very exciting. Wasn't able to get (m)any good pix from the bus window...

...and here we are back at the trailhead, at Lakki (Λακκοι) !

Here's the best map I was able to find online. This map makes it look like the trail doesn't go all the way to the road. The lines and arrows are mine.

And a map of the larger area so you have a better idea of where this is on Crete. Click on the image to enlarge; Omalos is just northwest of Samaria National Park, outlined in green.