Lefkada by Car
Gillyb
Sat 7 Jul 2012 09:26
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Position: 38.49.98N 20.42.78E
Tuesday 5th June 2012
We left the boat in our berth in Lefkas Marina and
hired a car for a day to go and look round the island. The car was
an old Fiat Punto but at least it had air conditioning. We had a map
of the island and planned to go around the coast road and up into the
mountains.
The roads have no numbers or names just the occasional sign post usually saying Sivota or Nidri or Lefkas. We needed petrol staight away as the tank was showing empty. The hire company are very laid back and just need to see a driving licence and your 30 Euros for the day. (No deposit). He was happy that we take it back the next day with same level of petrol in it! We took it back within the 24 hours and there easily more petrol left in it. After finding a garage in Levkas because we dared
not go into the mountains empty, we proceeded down towards the south of the
island. It is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide so not really enough
to get lost. However it was not so easy to follow the map and
we had planned to go down the west side but ended up on the east
side. It was lovely going past Ligia and Nidri and then
Vlikho which we have only seen previously from the water. The
road then climbed higher and higher and we saw a small sign indicating a
cave. We took off down the track but it got quite narrow and
pot holed until eventually it stopped altogether but at least there was room to
park. We continued on foot and the smell of the herbs and wild
flowers was strong. Unfortunately the cave which looked quite large
was virtually inaccessible with the rough ground and dense vegetation around
it. We didn't go in and walked back to the car.
Back up the track and a few miles further on we
chose the road to Vassiliki. We have not taken the boat
there as it is mostly frequented by wind surfers and
small dinghies. It is windier as it is in the south west, next
bay round from Sivota. We drove in to a small town and
parked. We wandered along the wall and there were quite a few yachts
there but it was also shallow in places.
We found a nice taverna beside the water and
ordered omelettes and coffee. They came with tomatoes and bread and water as
well so we enjoyed a larger lunch than usual. (We often just
have fruit for lunch).
Back in the car and we wound our way up the
west side of Lefkada. Higher and higher with quite good
roads. The West side has some good beaches though not
suitable for boats. We took a left turn down to Gialos Beach.
The road was narrow and steep and very windy. We went 4 kms down the
side of the steep mountain and the views of the beach and the sand
were very inviting. We had our swimming gear with
us. When we finally got down to the beach there were a few
people there and a couple of camper vans too. But it was very
windy and the waves high enough for surfing so we decided against
swimming. The sand was really fine white pebbles and
grit.
Back in the car and it struggled up the
winding road almost threatening to give up at times. We got
back onto the main road and quite suddenly came to a barrier.
Typically Greek there was no warning, no explanation and no diversion signs
but it was firmly closed. Two other cars turned around with us and
we took the only other road north which was much steeper but we were rewarded
with even higher views and fine looking mountains.
We came across another track to a beach and though
we would try for a swim again. The track became steeper and
steeper and just towards the bottom it ceased to be any sort of tarmac and
turned into deep rutted mud and stones.. As we looked out at
the stunning views we noticed a big black cloud scudding across the sea
towards us. Realising that heavy rain would turn the track into an
impassable torrent of mud and water we took the first little lay-by and turned
around. Sure enough as we reached the tarmac again the first heavy
drops began to fall. Then back on the main road it fell
in buckets. Real tropical type rain and we had to pull over as we
could not see and the windscreen wipers couldn't cope with it.
The saddest thing was seeing the poor people on scooters and motor bikes
who were pulled over and just soaked to the skin.
It didn't last too long and the sun came out again
and the road steamed with rivers of water running down the sides. We
carried on back to Lefkas and as we still had the car we did some shopping
and then returned to the boat. We returned the car the next
morning. We might do it again sometime and try to see some of the
other places like a vineyard in the middle somewhere and the very bottom of the
island where there is supposed to be a good fish restaurant. But for one
day we had had enough exciting driving round hair pin bends and up and down
rough tracks.
We are looking forward to seeing Susie on 17th June
so will write more after that.
Best Wishes from Gilly
B
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