Paros Island
This morning was as perfect as it gets on the Aegean in October. We awoke to a gorgeous sunrise, anchored off the charming seaside village of Naoussa, at the north end of Paros Island. Going ashore just after breakfast, we entered the harbor by tender to find glassy calm seas perfectly reflecting a fleet of colorful fishing boats. Countless cats prowled the waterfront, playing with nets being mended or waiting patiently for the day’s catch to come in. Photographers searched for the best angles, while our guides led us past the old Venetian breakwater and inner harbor, into the labyrinthine alleyways of town.
In Naoussa, we boarded buses for a driving tour of the island, passing through the agricultural areas en route to the small village of Lefkes. We climbed up to the new town square, with its monument to war veterans, and then back down again to the old part of town, with bright bougainvillea draped over whitewashed walls and cats around every corner.
We sampled the local sweets and freshly baked bread, and surprised a few shopkeepers with numerous purchases. A few photos heavier, and a few euros lighter, we boarded our buses again and continued on to the island’s ancient marble quarries. Elli showed us how to select a perfect piece of Parian marble, although none of the rest of us quite got the knack. As a bonus treat, we found fall-blooming cyclamen on the rocky slope, perfectly highlighted against the white marble stones.
In the late morning, we arrived at Paroikia, the island’s main town, for a tour of the exceptional Ekatontapyliani Church. With a baptistery that is thought to date from the 6th century AD, this church is the oldest church in Greece that has been in continuous use, and one of the oldest Orthodox Christian churches in the world. On our way back to lunch aboard Panorama, we wandered, photographed and shopped, in this charming island town.
Back aboard Panorama, we set sails for a few hours in the afternoon. It was lovely to cut the engines, and the breeze was just enough to fill the sails. A calm sea is mesmerizing, so many folks chose to read, sunbathe and nap on the foredeck, while others simply watched the world go by.
We gathered again in the evening to learn about the recent Greek elections and sample varieties of Greek olive oil, before indulging in Greek festivities that included ouzo, grilled octopus and a buffet filled with traditional Greek dishes. Opa!
