Afendis Stavramenos 14.8.2007
Only very accurate maps show out the gravel road from Orino to Thripti, from which another gravel road branches, leading to the summit of Afendis Stavramenos. I wanted to see the sunrise from a greek mouintain, but the bad state of the road made my progress very slow with my small hired car. Higher up when the road gets very narro, I decided to get off and walk.
Sunrise, at this season in northeast over the easternmost parts of Crete.
The road to the summit of Afendis Stavramenos is very narrow here, so I decided to walk the rest.
This barren rock desert is now glowing in lovely orange-red morning light.
Deep behind the Merambelo - cove with a slight morning dust.
Panoramic view over the Merambelo - cove, from the slopes of Afendis Stavramenos, early in the morning. Click into the picture for a larger version.
On the summit, after about 45 minutes of walking. From this point, there is a fine view over the narrowest part of the isle of Crete, between Ierapetra and the Lybian sea (left) and Pachia Amos and the Aegean sea (richt). In the centre in the background the Dikti mountains.
Dikti mountains, Spathi Madharas (2.148 m) to the right.
Zooming in on Agios Niklolaos, in morning light.
Kolokitha peninsula from yesterday´s boat trip with the rocks offshore, Spinalonga is hidden behind Kolokitha.
Ierapetra and the Lybischen sea, far right Mirtos, where we diverted to the Dikti mountains on 10.8.
Merambelo Cove, behind toi the left the Dikti - mountains.
360 degree panoramic view from the summit of Afendis Stavramenos (1.476 m). On the summit a small church and a radar station. Click into the picture for a larger version.
Zooming in on Ierapetra
Merambelo Cove
Kliros (1.331 m)
Cretian kind of "strawflower" (Helichrysum microphyllum)
Thistles ...
Agios Nikolaos
Nedar the summit there is a large doline ...
... here seen from the other side
View to the north to Kliros (1.331 m), behind to the left Kapsas (998 m) and the Aegean sea.
More flowers on the descent as well as ...
... a stunning view over the Merambelo - cove.
The little mountain villige Thripti only consists of several scattered hamlets with large areas of vineyards in between.
Monastiraki - gorge, this time seen from above.
Half way down to Ierapetra once more a stunning view over the narrowest part of the isle of Crete: Ierapetra on one ...
... and Merambelo cove on the other side.
180 degree panoramic view of the narrowest part of the isle of Crete, in the centre the Dikti mountains. Click into the picture for a larger version.
Ierapetra
After a day in the club we drive to Ierapetra in the evening for another shopping tour.
View back to Afendis Stavramenos.
The beach in the town.