SAILING TO KALYMNOS- 2 Videos

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Kálymnos, Greece

SAILING TO THE ISLAND OF KALYMNOS

We have breakfast and its here that we find out again, with the help of the reception that the island of Kalymnos is just 20 minutes from Mastichari village.
I am excited because we will have the chance to visit another Greek Island while on this trip.

We set off and pass Tigagi, and come to Marmari.
Th beaches here are wonderful with white sands and crystal waters. There are many hotels and shops selling souvenirs. It is a bit windy today, however most of the tourists are out in the beach. Some are swimming, but the majority are sunbathing.
We move on and come to Mastichari which is a small port.

There are two alternatives to sail to Kalymnos from here. There are the high speed oats which cost 6 euro one way, and the slower ones which cost 4 euro but the trip takes about 40 minutes.
(Of course a tourist can get to Kalymnos from Kos city as well, but it is much more expensive.

We consider ourselves lucky today because we see that the speed boat is in the port. We get there quickly, but soon find out that there is a small problem with the electricity and we are going to leave as soon as the problem is fixed.
I am very anxious to leave, but unfortunately we have to wait for about 1.30 minutes before the speed boat is ready to leave.

It was 1.30 pm when we sailed off......but 20 minutes later we were in the port of Kalymnos.

The Island is called "THE SPONGE DIVERS ISLAND"
Some information I got concerning this island and which I read from a leaflet while sailing is the following.

The Island is situated betwen Kos and Leros. It is the 4th largest Island in the Dodecanese. It is surrounded by quiet islets, some inhabited only by sheep and goats, others - like TELENDOS and PSERIMOS - with just a few houses and tavernas.

Kalymnos Island is best known as home of the world's finest sponge divers.
The sea has always been a focal point for island life, and its colorful traditions and sense of community, remain almost unchanged.

The Island's capital is called POTHIA with many picturesque small colourful houses pilled high on the hills around its harbour in the shape of amphitheatre.

VIEWING IN THE DISTANCE THE ISLAND

The speed boat is getting in the port any minute now!
The amphitheatric hill with the traditional houses is just infront of us.
Churches spread between the houses, restaurants and many sailing boats...It's great!
The time waiting for the speed boat to be fixed is already a past.
We are here and we want to see as much as possible We have a walk around the port and have time for a quick snack before we get the local bus which will drive us up to Masouri.

Masouri is a very popular touristic village about 30 minutes from the port.
There are many tourists among the locals in the bust,who talk so loudly and I can hear them saying how nice the place is!

The scenery here is impressive and besides the high rocks on one side, there is this small Island of TELENDOS on the other side. It can't be more than 7 minutes to get to it by boat.

BACK TO KOS.

At 5 pm we are back in Kos.

It is early afternoon, and we want to visit a couple of other villages today which are interesting and we wish to see.

KEFALOS and KARDAMENA

KEFALOS village is situated in the south west part of the Island. We come here, and we see that it is even more beautiful than we expected. I get many photos and have a short walk. A beautiful resort very popular to tourists.

Then we drive to Kardamena which is full of tavernas (restaurants) throughout the village. It is a small port also and there are many sailing boats all over.
This resort is popular with youngsters who come here to the bars to drink and have a good time. I would not recommend this place though for families with young chinldren!! Most of the owners here come from either United Kingdom or the States.

We have dinner at a nice Chinese restaurant called FU KING GOU. It is the first time I eat such huge spring rolls in my life! Dinner is nice, but we are already tired and we have to return to the hotel.

It was a full day today indeed! Seen so many places!