Tuesday 25 August 2015

Swimming in Poros


Poros beaches aren't spectacularly good, but we did have some nice swims.




For our first day we went to Kanali.




 
It's next to the canal that separates the two islands that make up the island of Poros.
 
 

 


Some nice views as we were lying on our loungers, but the water was not that clean. We were told that that's the case there, given its proximity to the canal, and that the best times to swim are very early in the morning or early evening.




 
The best swim we had was on our second day, when we went to the Russian Bay. It was spectacular due to the backdrop ruin of a 19th century Russian naval base.
 
 




When Greece was occupied by the Ottoman Empire Russia secured free shipping for its navy and this bay was one of their bases. When Russian activity declined so did the base and the abandoned buildings were left to decay.
 





A wonderful backdrop for a day spent swimming.




 
We had a really good look around before getting down to the serious business of the day.
 
 

 

 
We had a few excellent, long swims
 
 

 

 
the beach was not crowded at all
 
 
 
 


the water was clear and the views were excellent

 
 

 
which included this sweet little island in the middle of the bay, Daskalio,



 
 
On our way back to the hotel we stopped on top of the hill to admire the views
 
 

 


and we could get a better view of the small island and the little church that's in the middle of it




 
A bit further along we came across The White Cat, a taverna jutting out to the sea so we stopped there for a late, very delicious lunch
 
 

 
 
 
Our position afforded great views of the back of Poros town





so picturesque


 

 
and the gorgeous building of the Hellenic Naval Base.
 




looking closer





We fed the fish and then headed for our hotel for a well-deserved siesta.





Monastiri was the third beach we visited. No sand here, but we thoroughly enjoyed swimming to a hotel beach three bays further along - our longest swim so far this summer and swimming back was hard and tiring work but very rewarding
 
 
 
 


Surrounded by pines and olive trees, the Monastery is perched on the hill above the beach 





the paragliding in the photograph provided us with some amusement for a while
 
 
 


The taverna where we stopped for lunch was mediocre to say the least, but this little church was next to it





very cute



 
we had the chance to see the paragliding again, much closer this time
 

 



and by then it was quite late, the sun was very strong and the silver light on the water was enchanting




 
 
 


as we were leaving we had a closer look at the little church




noted the bell on the eucalyptus tree




and popped inside for a quick look.


2 comments:

  1. Ooooh! How delightful the swimming looks. Your photos bring back happy memories.

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    1. I love swimming so much Olga, and the Greek beaches are absolutely tops. Poros does not have particularly good beaches, but once you're in the water, it's just bliss.

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