Paros

On May 12th, we left Athens for the island of Paros.  We took the ferry and enjoyed a beautiful 3 hour ferry trip - in business class.  Spectacular blue skies and that amazing Mediterranean blue sea!

Paros is know for it's marble.  The Venus de Milo was carved from Parian marble.  On a bus trip we passed a mountain that was being quarried and the cut on it was pure white!  I'd never seen a marble mountain before.

We arrived in Paros and Yorgos met us at the ferry terminal and took us to our accommodation in the town of Naousa.  Yorgos owns the Kalypso hotel, which was our home in Naousa.  The Kalypso hotel is right on the beach.  We stayed in the apartments, which were up the road a bit.  The apartment was great - two bedrooms, kitchen and wonderful deck overlooking the sea.

After we got settled in, we walked to the little town of Naousa and stopped at the market and bakery for some provisions for our stay.  Since May is one of our favorite months to travel, I get to have my birthday in all kinds of interesting places - and this year it was in Naousa.  We had a fabulous dinner along the waterfront in town, a picture-perfect little village that reminds you of a Greek post card!

We had three more days to explore Naousa and surrounding areas of Paros.  We went on long walks, had fabulous meals at tavernas,  took the bus to Parekia and then on to Lefkes, where we walked the Byzantine trail.  Craig and Stephen visited the small island of Antiparos for some snorkeling, while Lee and I did some beach combing and visited a local winery.

 

Paros was a wonderful change from the hustle and bustle of Athens, and we could have stayed there longer!  But - Santorini awaits!

The lobby of the hotel Kalypso

The view from our deck!  We all spent a lot of time on the deck, enjoying the views

The small church owned by Yorgos and his family.  There are over 400 privately-owned churches on Paros!

Craig and Stephen, having a bit of fun!

The Naousa waterfront

One of the many restaurants on the waterfront.  You could tell when a new restaurant began, as the color of the chairs changed!

Fishing boats on the waterfront

Greek church in Naousa - on the way back to our apartment

Beautiful little white houses and shops across the waterfront

The waterfront at sunset*

On the way to dinner.  The little streets were narrow and winding, with NO traffic other than people - lovely!*

My birthday dinner!  Very, very yummy, and what a spectacular location!*

A long walk in Naousa led us to this beach-front taverna!*

Traverna Damianos*

Nothing like a cold Alpha beer after a long walk in the sun!

The guys cool off in the water, and watch the fish swimming around

The big church in Lefkes, before we began our walk on the Byzantine trail

The guys under the blooming bougainvillea

The little taverna where we had lunch.  There was NO ONE around - the Greeks take their siesta time very seriously.  Apparently our taverna owner drew the short straw!

Loved this sign!  I should have had the mother made carrot cake!

The beginning of the Byzantine route - it felt like we were walking through history!

A beautiful day and about a two hour walk to a little village where we caught a bus back to Parekia, and then on to Naousa.*

Friendly dog along the way - that piece of bread was so hard that it made a good chew toy!

The Naousa waterfront at night*

Our final dinner in Naousa, at the Open Garden.  The food was fabulous!  Then it was back to get organized for our departure for Santorini!

*Thank you Craig for these photos!