MILOS ISLAND

TUESDAY : 6th Sept.

It was exremely windy last night and is expected to be so for the next couple of days.  We walked into town to catch the 10.20 a.m. bus to Paliochori Beach on the south-east coast of the island and wondered why there were so many people queuing, with luggage, outside the couple of tourist offices there.  We found out later that the Piraeus ferries had been cancelled due to the very high winds, leaving hundreds of holiday makers stranded and trying to make alternate transport and accommodation arrangements.  

 The bus was full but the ride took only about 15 -20 minutes through rather dry, flattish countryside until we neared the coast where we encountered a few steep hills and on arrival, we made a bee line for the Sirocco bar/cafe for coffee, and decided to share a club sandwich and chips and call it brunch.  

   

The water was reasonably calm as it was protected somewhat from the wind by the cliffs surrounding the bay.  A few people were in swimming but most were sunbathing on the lounges all along the beach.  As the buses are not frequent, we could stay for 1 hour or for about 3 hours, we opted for 1 and after a walk through the sunbathers, we caught the 11.45 a.m bus back to town.

Mine Site

Zefyria, a small village on the road to Paliochori

                                          

After strolling around the town, checking out shops and cafes, we bought and ate delicious icecreams then revisited Volta cafe for cold drinks which we enjoyed while watching the passing parade, not envying those who were queuing in the sun and wind, and walked back to our 'home' for a couple of hours. 

The walk 'home' along the bay

The little church at the bottom of the path to the main road

Not able to sit out on the balcony because of the wind, we were confined to our room, initially with the doors open to allow some fresh air in but had to close them and turn the airconditioner on.  In the evening we were blown down to the main road where there is a restaurant that has superb food, so we've heard, so we thought we'd try it but it was full, with people queuing for tables so we continued on a little way to Lydia, the restaurant where we ate a couple of nights ago and where the food is very good but for some reason is nowhere near as busy. There was still a queue when we passed to be blown back up the hill to 'home'!

WEDNESDAY : 7th Sept.

To beat the crowds, we caught the 8.30 a.m. bus to the Catacombs, which are  considered to be second to those in Rome, carved out of the soft Pumice stone and originally from natural caves, and are situated between Tripiti and the ancient city of Klima.

The stone steps down to the Catacombs entrance

                                     

The entrance fee for old people was 2 euros each and we were shown the ancient family tombs by a young man who was not a guide, he said, but a guardian.

Nearby the Catacombs is an ancient Roman Theatre which we viewed from above, as the steep path down consisted of loose rocks.  Our younger selves would have negotiated them with ease but we are more cautious in our advancing years.

Remains of a Roman theatre

                     

an Australian lurker

and the Venus de Milo

Opting not to walk the 4 kms down the very steep hill to the fishing village of Klima, and the same 4km back up again, we decided to walk up the much shorter hill into Tripiti village, but, as luck would have it, a Venetian couple we'd spoken to in the Catacombs were leaving the site in their rental car and very kindly agreed to drop us off there on their way through.   (We have tried to rent a car while we're here but have had no luck....they are all booked out so we continue to use the buses. It never occurred to us that Milos would be so busy, we thought European holidays would have ended, otherwise we'd have booked a rental car from home before we left.)

In Tripiti we visited the splendid St Nikolaos Church

and the Okto Cafe where we enjoyed the view

while scoffing pancakes with fresh fruit, and yoghurt, also with fresh fruit, nuts & honey....yum!

Before catching the bus back to town, we had time to visit another little church  

After a visit to the supermarket for a couple of things we forgot yesterday, we happily headed off 'home', away from the now busy town,  On the path towards our place, we stopped and chatted to a Lithuanian gentleman who'd recently arrived and to our new neighbours, 3 N. Zedders who were caught up in the wind saga and had to stay an extra night.

A rest was in order this afternoon, the old tired legs find walking fine but clinbing,,,,no!  We'd decided to have a pizza tonight and wandered down to the main street where there are many cafes, bars & restaurants.  

 and after sharing a very good pizza, walked home in the moonlight. 

Now it's time for sleeping, tomorrow is another day!