Messages

31

Plakias / A not so worrying development

« on: April 14, 2008, 08:14:14 AM »

Yes - Thanks Santa. From what you've said, all looks set fair for the coming season. Roll on September  

My deasr friends-
I just returned from Plakias and I do not have good news- First there is still more work to be done on the main road into town, but more importantly, construction has begun on the site west of the road before Paligremnos- The site is fenced  and in the two weeks I was gone they have begun excavation and infact on building(don't know what it is)has started to be framed - There is also a construction trailor on the site.
So, here we go-

Santa

32

Plakias / A not so worrying development

« on: April 10, 2008, 08:20:59 AM »

Hmmmmmm!

Seems like a common condition around here.


Is it something in the <strike>water</strike> raki?

Raki is the elixir of youth Chas, unfortunately if you have too much one can become disgraceful    

george g...

At the request of Mike G. I will give you a quick update- There has been n o activity on the development from Alianthos to the far end- Only a few plastic pipes laying in the field around the area of the old Meltemi- The major work thast has been done is in stalling water and sewage pipes in the main road leading into town- Also the road has been widened- All that is need is the final asphalt- I will be in town this week end and give you and update- As to the harbour, it is moving along- Not to worry for those who like to walk to Souda- They have been stockpiling materials all winter in the lot above tha harbour and below the road- That way they can use this material in the summer and not have constant truck traffic on the road to Souda- Not saying there won't be some, but certainly not the pace that they had last summer.
As usual, the locals have been busy during the oss-season remoddeling or otherwise sprucing up the area- The place looks better all the time-

Santa

33

Gossip / Plakias Photos

« on: April 09, 2008, 12:24:28 PM »

I just hope the Greeks adopt our more civilised approach re. smoking some time soon.

Mike

Mike,

Is this a reference to the news that Greece is to ban smoking in public places by 2010, or just a coincidence! I wonder how they will get on with it, given that it appears that about 90% of them smoke!

Greecemad

No need to wait till 2010- The ban went in to effect this week
Santa

34

PlakChat / Driving To Plakias In The Night

« on: February 27, 2008, 11:47:26 AM »

1) How bad is the road through the mountains.
                                                                                                                                             
2) I have bought a good map but is it easy to get lost.


Looking forward to 15th of June If anyone will be there over that period let me know and we can down a couple of bottles of Mythos

Thanks David & Janet

Hi

We have driven to Plakias at night for the last several years.

There is no problem re varying road quality etc - the mountains are no different from the none mountains - indeed with it being dark you might hardly notice that you are going over mountains or driving through deep gorges.

One advantage of driving at hight is that the roads are fairly quite - possible very quiet.

Navigation is your only problem if you have not done it before. We nearly do it with our eyes shut but I can see some minor difficulties for a first timer.

Setting off from the airport is easy (Heraklion anyway). You drive away from the airport and a few hundred yards later make an easy right turn on to the main east/west highway. You simply drive on that all the way to Rethymnon (no urban roads at all). The left turn outside Rethymnon can be missed in the dark. It is actually a right hand slip road off the dual carriage way (You then turn left to go under the main road). It is very well signed with amongst other things (I forget !!) Preveli and Spili signed on it. However I always find that in the dark the slip road seems a bit small and insignificant for such a major turnoff - in the dark anyway.

Assuming you get down that slip road you then turn left (under the main highway) to drive west towards the west coast. This road is perfectly ok and straightforward.

Problems - if any  - might start when you turn right off that road to Plakias. You have a choice of two right hand turns - fairly close to each other. The first is signed to Sfakia (and/or Selia ??) and I think it is better for you to ignore that and take the second right turn about 1km later (signed to Preveli - and perhaps Plakias - not sure about Plakias though)

It is on this very last part of the route that you need to navigate carefully as there are some dark night time alternatives to go wrong on. Signs to Asomatos and Lefkogia and Plakias are healthy if/when they exist !!. Following Prevelli signs is also a very good idea EXCEPT for the final turn off to Prevelli which you must not take. The problem is how do you know it is the last turn off  and I can't really describe it !!. It is however a distinct left turn to Prevelli. Unfortunately we know this section of road so well by memory now that it is difficult for us to remember the signage and landmarks. Perhaps someone else can come in and help for this last very short section.

All in all it is a very easy journey in the dark. Just take your time. The mountains and gorges present no difficulties whatsoever - dark or daytime. Oh - ask the hire company to make sure there is enough fuel in the car for the journey. We picked one up one year with dubious amount and thankfully fouind a garage still open but we were lucky.

Have a great time - we really enjoy driving out there. Drive 100% defensively and you will be ok - assume the locals may be  overtaking when coming towards you and when that happens on the main East west highway you are supposed to drive on the hard shoulder to avoid them - same when being overtaken.

John R

John gave excellent directions, I would just add a few things. Once you are past the George and through the next village- Assomatos, you will reach a fork which you must take left-the sign says Plakias but be mindful of it. Once you make that left, always stay right- on the same road-do not make any left turns until you reach a  fork which shows Myrthios to the right and Plakias to the left- Take the left and you will role into Plakias- Good luck-
Santa

35

Where to eat...or not! / Medousa

« on: October 11, 2007, 12:39:44 AM »

That 'road' looks very narrow. What happens when you meet something coming the other way?

   the only passing points are at the bends



*breath in*

Try this road at night- I did and it was quite the experience-
Santa

36

Where to stay / design your own accomodation

« on: August 03, 2007, 08:13:04 AM »

We met up with on chap who's nearly finished renovating a house on the Mariou / Asomatos road - pure Crete on the outside and pure UK country cottage on the inside with oak beams etc. and every socket is imported UK square pin so that solves that problem

that's my great friends Brian and Kathy Barwise. The "renovations" continue a pace and now include an infinity pool, bar room, hot tub, greenhouses and fresh water pond/pool. And we are visiting in 5 weeks time Whooppee!

Tony-
This sounds exciting- I am also getting ready to put in a pool- Could your friends let me know who they are using as contractors/plumber?
Santa

37

Plakias / pics of the new harbour

« on: June 15, 2007, 03:54:25 PM »

Yes, they will continue to work through the summer, but it should bother none since all the traffic comes fron west of town- nothing will come through Plakias-

Santa

Hello Santa,

This conflicts with what Ali and Kerstin have reported, that the lorries are going through Plakias.

Mike

Mike- Of course the conc. trucks - and they are not that frequent -come through Plakias- no different than if someone needs concrete for their house- What I was referring to is the trucks that haul the stones and dirt to fill in the harbour- None of those run through the town- I know- I spend every other weekend in Plakias- They start around 8 am and finsh at 4pm- Relax and enjoy your vacation
Santa

38

Plakias / pics of the new harbour

« on: June 12, 2007, 03:25:23 PM »

Santa,

I probably missed this when the new harbour was originally discussed, but is it intended for commercial or tourist boats, or both? Seems a bit far out of town for the tourist boats for foot passengers. Will the car ferry from Paleohora to Hora Sfakion be extended to Plakias.

Mike

OK Mike- just for you-since you were not paying attention  when we discussed this originally- The harbour is officially being built for fishing boats- to provide more protection than the one in town. There are no plans for tourist boats or other commercial boats, but I would not rule out private boats- you know - sailboats -that type of transportation or small power boats. No there will be no car ferry extension as I understand the situation.
Santa

39

Plakias / pics of the new harbour

« on: June 12, 2007, 10:02:28 AM »

Update, much appreciated Santa  

george g...

You are welcome- It just occurred to me your question on the road- The pictures that have been posted are in fact the pictures of a new road -below the existing one to get access to the harbour- and yes that one needs work, but it is under construction- hope that clears things up
Santa

40

Plakias / pics of the new harbour

« on: June 12, 2007, 09:18:49 AM »

The road looks a bit of a mess Chris, is it still walkable and are they still working on it during the summer??

george g...

For your collective information, they have been working on this project since the end of October- You may not realize, but there is a lot of material that has to be moved to the site- to be specific, the etimate is 6000 truck loads- I do not know what road you art talking about George, but there is nothing wrong with the road to Souda-just the occasional pothole, but you can jump over that . Yes, they will continue to work through the summer, but it should bother none since all the traffic comes fron west of town- nothing will come through Plakias-
Now, just wait when the new road goes in  to the new harbour- in front of the two new villas behind Ostraco- you know the empy lot on your way to the secret nest- It will continue behind the hotel Marilena going east.Then you will be in for some real fun. I suspect this will proceed in the near future- one chap is holding out yet as his property is affected- Will keep you informed.
As far as other developments are concerned, just keep in mind that the lot east of Meltemi is slated for a substantial renovation- perhaps Chris may want to spen his 75K for a spot there?
Ah yes- Progress at last
Santa

41

Plakias / FIRE

« on: May 07, 2007, 08:33:45 AM »

I watched the game, but I don't think the red devils showed up for the match- or did I miss something?
Santa

err  yes it seems you did   , we beat Roma 7-

Sorry- I was talking about the recent game with Milan-
Santa

42

Plakias / FIRE

« on: May 04, 2007, 01:20:31 PM »

sounds like we'll miss you, we fly out on the 5th!!

did you catch the destruction of Roma?

Chris    I  never miss a game even here in sunny florida

well the bloody glazers are close by     ughhhhhhhhhhhh

well i  if we turn over milan I will be in  Crete after the cup final

so approx  may 25th   where are u   staying  ??

if united fail  in the semis        then I will not arrive till evening of june 5

so lets  ask  Zeus  to bring  the red devils some luck.

and then I will get to meet ya

cheers   roger     red diablo

I watched the game, but I don't think the red devils showed up for the match- or did I miss something?
Santa

43

Plakias / Plakias sunset

« on: May 04, 2007, 09:42:38 AM »

Just back from Plakias and thought you all might like to see what a Plakias Bay sunset can look like in April...

Beautiful pic Andy, dramatic sky.

Welcome to the forum. So how was Plakias in April?

I can tell you that April is a great time to be there- obviously not for the swimming, but the area is lush with greenery and the entire area is covered with flowers- very magical- as for the temperature it was between 9-10 at night and 16to 20/21 during the day- there were periods of clouds as well as an occasional shower- Not too many people, so it is rather quiet-
The harbour is progressing and for those of you who have yet to get past Ostraco- walk west and see the progress for yourself.
Santa

44

PlakChat / Raki

« on: December 13, 2006, 11:55:36 AM »

I think i wood have to agree with Susan K, raki is extrmely strong, and at 15 when i 1st tried it, i thought i was going to die, and it did put me off drinking a bit that night, i think it was due to the fact that my throat was killing me. Now at the age of 22 i still havent drank it again since.

It was the most sickining thing i have ever tried, and would never try it again, and wood advise people who dont really like strong drink not to try it.

Or if anyone likes the lining to there mouth throat and stomach i wouldnt try it either.

MR P

Well,well, Mr.P- are we not being a little hard here on this fine beverage- Raki obviously is an aquired taste and since you will not drink it there will be just more for us- Your loss is our gain-
Santa

45

Plakias / Limani

« on: December 12, 2006, 11:09:56 AM »

Santa, could you look at the forum map and tell us if we've put the new harbour pin in the right place?

BINGO- you got it-
Santa