Lunar Landscape on Milos
By Helen Grubner. Filed in Uncategorized |
One thing I have learnt is that it is best to make an early start if you wish to beat the crowds and avoid the heat of the day. Hence, Friday I was again on the 7.10am bus to Adamas, however, this time I asked the driver to let me off at a point where I could walk the rest of the way to Sarakiniko… approximately 2km.
Local legend has it that the name Sarakiniko derives from the Saracen pirates who used the area for hiding their plunder. Probably the most famous beach on Milos and there are reputedly around 80, the soft sparkling white volcanic rocks resemble a lunar landscape. The “beach” itself is a narrow canal cut into the rocks with a small patch of sand… not enough to accommodate all the sun worshippers who instead spread their towels on the rocks. I had no plans to stay on there and when the 10.10am bus arrived, I was the sole passenger to Adamas, continuing on to Pollonia.
It had been 3 weeks since my stay in Kini, Syros where I spent many an hour at the beach. So I decided to spend the rest of the day in Pollonia enjoying the sun and sea, venturing out again in the evening to watch the sunset.
The following day I finally got to check out Kivotos ton Gefseon. A family run business since 1957, with more than 450 beehives on the island, they produce and sell honey. They also make high quality products with the honey and beeswax, including desserts and pastries to die for, liqueurs, soaps, wax based ointments and much more. You can purchase goodies from the shop… possibly the best little store I’ve ever stepped foot in and/or you can sit at a marble topped table in the garden for breakfast, brunch, lunch or evening treats. I stayed for a Greek coffee and Ladenia… traditional in the Cyclades, a vegan flatbread topped with onions and tomatoes and simply devine!
Having had a taste once again the previous day for the beach, I returned to see how much were the sunbeds… 15 Euro with umbrella – gulp! I said that’s a lot for one person to which he replied… 6 Euro without an umbrella under the Tamarisk trees. Sounded good to me and with free Wifi. I settled in for the day, leaving only to return to Kivotos ton Gefseon to pick up a bottle of cold water and a generous portion of Galaktaboureko… semolina custard wrapped in filo, my favourite Greek dessert.
I have spent today in much the same way as yesterday… enjoying time at the beach. The only difference being, I had company in the form of Samantha who came along and occupied the adjoining sunbed. She was from New York, here in Greece on a 10 day holiday. It is always pleasant to have someone to talk to and we ended the day sharing her bottle of wine.
Tomorrow it’s farewell Milos, hullo Serifos… another Cycladic island.
