Monday 24 August 2015

Poros

 
We had a short five-day break in Poros last week. Last time I visited the island I was ten and all I remembered was how green and lush it is. The town is pretty but in a quiet way, without the drama and flamboyance of some of the other Greek islands. 
 
 
 
The island of Poros is separated from the Peloponnese by a 200m wide sea channel, with the town of Galatas on the mainland across the strait.  The small boats that continually journey to and fro get across in five minutes.
 
Poros consists of two islands: Sphairia, the southern part, which is of volcanic origin and where today's town is located, and Kalaureia, the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over an extremely narrow strait.
 
We stayed in the main town, Poros, and this is what this post is about.
 
 
 


This is a view of Poros town from the ferry that took us across when we were leaving.




 
It looks very picturesque, the view dominated by the clock tower on top of the hill which is the trademark of the town
 

 
 
 
 

white houses, red tiled roofs, lots of boats





 
a closer view of the clock tower. A tourist boat had just arrived and they all trekked up to the hill to admire the views
 
 
 
 

 



 
in the distance, it seems as if the island and the mainland merge
 

 
 


Dusk was a good time, with excellent sunsets



 

 
and the light from the setting sun gave everything a golden glow.
 
 
 







August is always a very busy time and all the tavernas, bars and cafes were packed at night






with predominantly Greek holidaymakers.





 
 


The islanders seem to have a 'thing' with 'brothers'. This is our hotel that is called Seven Brothers




 
a boat called Two Brothers
 

 
 

 
a fast food place, called ... what else, Brothers. There were more, but I stopped photographing them.
 
 
 



Lots of boats all along the seafront. We noticed that none of them moved, so we asked, and found out that they are homes which are rented out all year round.





For our pre-dinner ouzos we sat here, and watched the life on the boats, which included the public taking of showers.





We had breakfast at the same place, but in the square, rather than the waterfront, as it was cooler





but we still had the same view, even if from a slight distance.




 
The sea front was very busy, while the rest of the town was relatively quiet
 
 

 

 
the fish market
 

 

 
the gallery, which bizarrely, had an exhibition of an artist who had made copies of Edouard Manet paintings
 
 
 
 


the entrance to the Archaeological Museum with antiquities spilling out onto the pavement.




 
Nautis, the Sailor, the tavern we favoured quite a few times as the tables were right by the sea
 
 
 
 

 
this was our view.





The town is built on two hills, so lots of steps to climb




 
 
 
 

a tiny church




with hardly any room to move in




 

 



Poros does not have the charm of other Greek islands but it is full of neo-classical buildings





most of which are in good condition




having been sympathetically restored







 
 
 
 

Athens used to look like this before the developers moved in



 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 
golden glow from the setting sun
 

 






We loved walking to the edge of the town





where things got quieter, the boats smaller,




 
and life became peaceful and calm
 

 






and the views changed depending on what time of day it was.





Pretty reflections of the lights from the mainland at night





a dream-like atmosphere,





in contrast to the busy life of the town on the waterfront.




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