Itisallgreek2me

Helen in the Crater, Island of Nisyros

Began my day by visiting Michelle at Enetikon Travel to purchase a one way ticket on a tourist bus to the Volcano.  At 1040 hours we were on our way, travelling first along the coast towards Palli then up the winding, twisting road in the mountains and down into the caldera.  For all you kiwis following my journey or anyone else who has visited the thermal areas of New Zealand, you will well know the smell of sulphur in the air as it was today – I could easily have been in rotten old Rotorua! 

The caldera itself is 3-4 kilometres wide.  Although the volcano is active, it is not erupting – the last eruptions were in the 1880’s.  Stefanos, the biggest hydrothermic crater on earth is, obviously, the largest crater of the volcano and you can walk down into it – an amazing place!  The entire volcanic complex includes the seafloor between Nisyros and Kos, the island of Gyali and a part of Kos island. 

Left all the tourists in my wake as this intrepid traveller planned to walk from the volcano to the mountain village of Nikia.  Sought directions from a local in the volcano cafe – there were two options.  A path going directly up the mountainside from the caldera to the village without much in the way of views, the shorter route, or along the road on the other side of Stefanos until I came to a path on the left which would take me up over the ridge of the mountain with superb views of the volcano and out to sea – chose this way. 

Like yesterday, stripped down to bikini top and shorts – very hot in the midday sun, however, thankfully a very fresh breeze.  No trouble finding the path on the left which varied from carefully laid stones to a dusty track and yes, quite spectacular views in every direction.  It was only when I was nearing the village and hearing the chorus of cicadas as if welcoming me, that three other walkers, Germans I believe, passed me.  They had walked all the way from Mandraki and were planning to walk all the way back.  Not me, I would catch the 1430 hours bus from Nikia – what is more, it was free! 

One hour and twenty minutes after leaving the volcano cafe I reached the village of Nikia, a very quiet and peaceful place.  Having had only fruit and a frappe before leaving Mandraki this morning, I was hungry and ready for lunch.  Found the one and only Taverna in the village, ordered a well earned cold Amstel beer, katsikaki me patates (goat meat with potatoes) and delicious toasted bread, drizzled with oil and oregano, the latter ideal for soaking up all the yummy sauce and juices of the meal.  Replete, I walked a little more around the village until the bus arrived which delivered me back to Mandraki, tired and weary, however, feeling very satisfied with my day.  A short walk back to Hotel Romantzo for a well earned siesta. 

The walk through the Samaria Gorge on Crete was extraordinary, however, my walk today from the volcano of Nisyros to the mountain village of Nikia came close to equalling it – I wonder what I can do tomorrow that will be just as good.  Be sure to view the photographs – a selection from the 50 images I have taken today.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.