Folegandros & Milos
Our day today was filled with contrasts.
Yesterday we visited the famous and busy island of Santorini, probably the most visited island of the Cyclades. Today we contrasted this by visiting one of the smallest islands in the region; the hidden pearl of Folegandros. The island is only 13.5 square miles and has less than 600 inhabitants.
The one and only bus on the island came and picked us up at the ship in the morning and off we went to the “Chora,” the main town. The short ride took us through an arid and barren landscape. On the way, we saw many donkeys and donkey paths, evidence that much of the island is simply too steep for vertical roads. The little town is beautifully located on top of a mountain and our local guides Ellie and Lora took us on a little walk through the typical Cycladic village where some of the pretty white houses are so close to each other that the people, as Ellie said “live as one big family.”
After this we were let off to wonder the village on our own, and most of us ended up finishing our visit in one of the cafes in the little town square where the cold fresh-squeezed juice on offer was a perfect thirst quencher on such a sunny day.
Back on the ship we were offered lunch and siesta, and for those not yet tired a film was shown, “Sinking Atlantis”, about the Santorini volcanic eruption and what effect it may have had on nearby civilizations.
In the afternoon we arrived at the southeastern side of Milos Island. The contrast was immediate. Instead of a town, we were now presented with a beach, and instead of a bus, a dinghy. The beach itself was spectacular and different than any other we had visited on the trip so far. High red and white cliffs surround it and the clear blue water is almost see-through. The fact that it is only accessible by small boat makes for a perfect, and private, getaway and we spent the whole afternoon there lazing on the beach and enjoying the warm water.
In the evening we had our Greek cocktail party, and the slow pace of the afternoon was now changed into Greek music, ouzo and the occasional OPA!
It is the contrasts, town and beach, small and large, famous and unknown, sleepy and energetic, that make these trips so interesting. We visit fascinating sights, watch educational movies and listen to informative talks, but we also take time to rest and enjoy simply being in this beautiful country. And it is the fact that we are offered not only the famous sights but also the hidden jewels that makes adventure travel like this one such a, well, adventure.
