The harbour of Kefalos, as seen from the old stone workings
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Update on the Island
of Kos - June 2009
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Although we had been to Kos three times, in 1999,
2000 and 2003, somehow we took our time to show it in these pages. Why?
I don't know. Maybe we didn't want anybody else to come and spoil the
village of Kefalos, or rather the harbour area which is where we stay.
However, in 2009 only a few things have changed, but in these days of depression, they could do with more visitors. Here are a few views of our idea of a holiday. They may not be yours at first glance, but believe me, Kos has something to offer for everybody. If you don't believe me, just check the guide books. |
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The harbour of Kefalos, as seen from the old stone workings |
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The original Mundial Snack Bar that always provided
us with a good welcome in our first three trips. But in 2009 we found it was undergoing a make-over. Now called "Sea Breeze", with Maria and Monika in attendance. Maria and Monika are from Lithuania |
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Enjoying a post-prandial drink.
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Kate, chatting with Monika
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The bay, looking across to the old stone workings on the hill. |
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The remains of a large town lay buried below the
bay, as a result of an earthquake in the sixth century AD.
Some of the remains can still be seen, under the sea. |
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Nick runs a Mini-Market down by the Harbour. He is another friend who remembered us from 2003 |  |
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A road from the harbour winds up to Kefalos village
itself, with its Castle.
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The old capital city of Astypalaia was abandoned in 366 BC. It is said that Hercules himself fought the king here, in this arena. Well, it probably wasn't Hercules, but somebody else did overthrow the Tyrant. Greek myths have a tendency to be based on fact. The old ruins are an easy walk up from the Harbour. |
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A short car ride of under 10
minutes takes you to the opposite side of the island, and it couldn't
be more different. Known as "wave beach" or "sunset beach",
there are miles of empty walking country. And a solitary taverna, a wonderful
place from which to watch the sunset.
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There are many places to visit in Kos, either on a coach trip, or by car. This is one of our favourites, the village of Zia, high up in the mountains. It is a good place for walking in shady pine forests, but most people go there because of the shopping. Well known for its herbs, it is also excellent for reasonably priced arts and crafts and clothing. |
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A trip to Zia gives you the chance to visit an old
Venetian castle. (A bit of a climb up a donkey track, but there is a cafe
at the top).
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But if you require castles of older vintage, Knights
of St John, say, you can go to Kos town. There are also a great deal of
Roman/Greek remains to be seen.
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Hippocrates plane tree in Kos town is known as the place where Hippocrates taught the first medical students. Since St Paul visited Kos, and he was known to be an inveterate preacher, its not surprising that local tradition has it that he too, preached here. Spoilsports claim the tree isn't really old enough-- |
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But as this shot shows, young trees grow right out
of the old stump. I am sure this tree is a clone of the original.
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From Kefalos it is an easy boat ride to the island of Nisyros. The town of Mandraki is its capital |
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A street on the way to the convent and Venetian Fortress.
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..But Nisyros is actually an active volcano, as a
walk across the hot sulphurous floor of the main crater soon proves.
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In 2003, Penny gets a hot close-up of one of the
fissures.
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But in 2009 the floor of the crater How much longer before the next overdue eruption? |
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And so goodbye for now, from Kefalos Harbour.
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