On paper this looks like a very easy stage. Straight along the coast with no big climbs. However this does not account for quite a long distance struggling through energy sapping sand. Anyway, we had our earliest start yet, walking before 8. I think we were all hopeful of finding an open cafe, especially as most of them boasted about English breakfasts.

Alas, none were open so we headed to the edge of town and onto Issos Beach and extensive sand dunes. It soon seemed really remote as we walked through the scrubby trees, somehow managing to survive in such an environment. It did remind me of the Huacachina sand dunes in Peru (which I haven’t written about, but think I should) although it was much easier walking on the flat than up the huge sand dunes in Peru, although it would be easier by sand buggy. The best thing we saw, was when we disturbed three “eagles” nesting in one of the scrubby trees. Initially I thought they may have been owls, based on the size of their heads/bodies, but I’m not sure and Paul thought they may be buzzards.

The path then entered more dense forest and the walking became much easier. We were now on the spit of land between the sea and the Korission Lagoon. There was a good view of the lake, with the mountains behind but we never got a good view of the sea until we reached the lagoon outlet. This was crossed by a very flimsy bridge, past a supposed “fishermans hut”, which looked a bit more business like to catch fish moving from the sea to the lagoon, and onto a much bigger track.

Having started so early, we were looking forward to a coffee and the Tayo Beach Bar looked like it may provide it. Unfortunately it was closed, or rather being cleaned up from the night before, but we could sit on the sun loungers on the beach and eat a few biscuits.

The wide path continued until the end of the lagoon, where we headed inland. This was past quite a few very fancy houses  but ultimately ended up at a point where the road had  collapsed into the sea.

After walking through lots of olive groves we came to Mitera, an amazingly old olive tree, apparently 1,500 years and is the Mother Of The Olive Groves in the area. There was a huge lizard on the tree, which definitely dates back more than 1,500 years. I used AI to identify it from my super zoomed in photo, and says it is definitely a Black Girdled Lizard.

From here it was a short walk through some amazing olive groves to the accommodation at Skala Beach. I must say this is the nicest, most relaxed place we have stayed so far. While it probably seems that if we are only walking 15 km in a day, we are having an easy time – it does make make sense finishing before it gets too hot.

It also allows time for a relaxed lunch of Souvlaki, surrounded by cats, then a relaxed swim in the sea. As water is so buoyant, it is hard to resist floating around for a good while.

I must say Skala is one of the most relaxing places I’ve been to. It is pretty much un-commercialised with a handful of hotels and restaurants. Also the sea is nicely shallow, the water is even more buoyant than yesterday but with slight waves and the bottom is sandy. Most importantly, the sand ends at the waters edge, transitioning to small shingle – so no sandy feet on the beach – absolutely perfect!