Paros and Naxos Islands
One of the joys of exploring the Cyclades by boat is the opportunity to experience not only the harbors and towns, but also some of the more remote bays and beaches. This morning we had just such an opportunity, as Panorama anchored in Ayios Ioannis Bay at the north end of Paros Island.
After a leisurely breakfast, most of us opted to get some exercise and take in some lovely views on a hike from Perikopetra Beach out to the lighthouse at Cape Korakas and back. A late spring, with abundant rain, meant that the rocky slopes of the cape were covered in wildflowers. Statice, horehound, Helichrysum and Spanish oyster plant bloomed everywhere, making for beautiful photos and a delicate, fresh fragrance on the morning breeze. We had enthusiastic participation in the hike, with Laura leading nearly half of our guest complement and Michelle leading the other half. A few guests opted to relax on the ship, or have their own “private” beach while the rest of us were hiking. Returning to the beach, we spent the late morning kayaking, swimming and soaking up some of the famous Greek sunshine.
We returned to Panorama for lunch, getting underway immediately afterward to take advantage of the fresh breeze and set sail for Naxos. The winds were perfect to sail a beam reach across the channel between Paros and Naxos, so the captain shut down the ship’s engines and we enjoyed a few hours of navigating under sail only. Sailing in the Greek sunshine, over a crystal-clear Aegean blue sea was heaven, and most of us found a place on deck to take it all in.
Arriving at the Port of Naxos, we joined Tom, Gemma and Laura for a briefing about tomorrow’s activities at Delos, before boarding buses for an excursion inland. Naxos is the largest, greenest and most fertile of the Cycladic islands, so a drive through the countryside was lovely. We saw the modern marble quarries off on distant mountaintops, and a carpet of blooming Spanish broom, rock rose and poppies everywhere we looked.
We heard about the importance of the Naxians in antiquity, as well as about the island’s strategic position during the Venetian era and modern life and agriculture. Our destination for the afternoon was the tiny village of Damalás, and the studio of local potter Manolis Libertas. Manolis has revived some of the traditional ceramic forms, and demonstrated their creation and uses for us today. We saw the traditional Naxian wine jug, the “cup of justice” and a whimsical water whistle, before saying farewell and walking a short distance to the community’s traditional olive press. Here, we learned exactly how important olives and olive oil have been to the Greeks throughout history.
Returning to the port in the mid-afternoon, we walked through the narrow alleys of the Kastro, to the Catholic Church at the top, learning about typical Cycladic architecture along the way. After our tour, some folks opted to dine ashore, while others enjoyed dinner at “the best restaurant in town” aboard Pan Orama. Regardless, all of us strolled the waterfront this evening, and enjoyed a bit of a lively Greek summer evening.
