Thursday 8 August 2013

Back to reality - Paros 2013

It’s been almost a week since we came back from our holidays! I think that yesterday it really struck me with the fact that we’re back! I know I can be a bit slow. I was in a very happy mood the previous days, until yesterday morning. I woke up thinking that it’s Thursday and the weekend is around the corner. Then I got that disappointing feeling that no, it’s still Wednesday and it suddenly hit me. I’m back to wishing for the weekend and my holidays are over!!!

Naoussa

little church by the sea 

I’m not complaining though. They've been truly amazing. We were staying in 2 islands, but managed to visit 3 more. The first part of our holidays was while we stayed in Paros. That’s one of the Cyclades group. It has amazing sandy beaches and that distinctive architecture of the area. Almost all buildings are white, with rounded edges and flat roofs.

small boat

It was my decision not to stay in the main town of the island, but the smaller 'Naoussa' village at the north part of the island. The main town where the ships go can be somewhat busier and noisier. However, Naoussa is smaller, cuter and closer to the famous beaches of the island. Visitors can get the daily water taxis to 3 different beaches to spend the day, without having to worry about petrol and parking spots etc. That was a service we used quite often.

taking the water taxi to the beach

Our daily routine mostly consisted of me going to bakery to get fresh breakfast stuff like koulouri, spinach pie or bread rolls, first thing in the morning. We would then sit in the balcony for breakfast, feeling the morning sun and admiring the view. We would then get ready, jump on the boat and being taken to one of the beaches around Naoussa. In most cases we would go to the lovely ‘Monastiri’ beach. We would stay in that beach for the next 5 to 6 hours. We would rent an umbrella and chairs, sunbathe, play rackets, swim or even hike in the nearby conservation hiking area. JJ loved snorkeling and I was so happy just feeling the cold water on my skin.




Late in the afternoon we would go back to the village, rest and then go out to explore the alleyways and various narrow Naoussa’s lanes for dinner and drinks. It can be quite a party town, if you’re looking for this kind of stuff. We could hear our hotel neighbours coming back from partying around 8 or 9 in the morning. But we’re not really that kind of people. We like spending our days doing various activities than sleeping and getting up with a hangover late in the afternoon, missing what the day had to offer.


walking around the village of Parikia

Oh, and the food was exquisite. After staying for so many nights in the town, (more than a fortnight), we were able to get to know local people and find restaurants visited mostly by them. So, we were able to avoid the main touristic areas and see the other side of the island. What I also found very endearing was the fact that after a couple of days we were running into and greeting people that we met in shops and restaurants we had visited. The local people were so friendly. JJ was also working on his Greek. I told him how to order things in coffee places and restaurants. Staff really loved that. 

2 comments:

  1. These are great pictures! I want to visit Greece someday! Will you be my personal tourguide?

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    Replies
    1. Definitely... Name the time and the place and I'll try to be there

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