Bay Wonder

 

Photo©Nigel Summerley

The big sunny day that had been forecast for Sikinos finally arrived and looked perfect for the big walk – from the Kastro all the way west to Malta Bay, said by some to be the finest spot on the island.

As this picture shows, it's a dramatic place. And though much of the hike there, is on a good and straightforward path, the descent (and later ascent) to the bay is over steep and rocky terrain with no clear way marked – a challenge, one might say.

Two peaceful hours spent on this deserted beach looking across the sea to Ios were well worth the five hours spent getting there and back. And the day's exertions made tea and biscuits back at the Kastro all the more wonderful.

Photo©Nigel Summerley

An Odyssey in the Second Year of the Plague – Calilo

 

The good thing about Mykonos is that it attracts the kind of people who want to go to a completely commercialised and spoilt island – thus reducing the chances of them turning up seeking "fun" on unspoilt Greek islands.

There seems to be something of this theme in the new resort of Calilo (pictured above) on the island of Ios.

According to their PR, the Michalopoulos family "witnessed the overdevelopment of the neighbouring islands of Mykonos and Santorini" and were "determined to save Ios from a similar fate... they bought one quarter of the island, all of it coastal, and promised to develop just 1% of it in low-density development for tourism. It is thought to be the largest private coastal conservation project in the world."

That 1% development is now aimed at couples who want to stage a big expensive Greek wedding in 2021 (if they are allowed to travel, presumably). 

But a traditional Greek church set in the middle of a swimming pool? Alongside L-O-V-E spelt out in huge letters?

Perhaps one has to accept that this is the price of conserving the other 99% of the site? The Mykonos principle at work...