Paros and Antiparos

September 15, 2024
Had an uneventful trip to Paros today.

Met a Greek couple from Australia, Effie and Theo. Effie gave me lots of information on Paros, Milos, and Santorini. Checked into my hotel and planned to take a bus to Naoussa, but decided to rent a car instead.

Headed off to Naoussa in my new rented wheels. Stopped for lunch and made my way to Kolibithres beach. This spot is known for its rock formations and coves with granite boulders sculpted smooth over centuries of erosion. The water is very clean but the beach is pretty crowded.

Found a restaurant for dinner and a sunset.

Stopped in at the Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani. Known as the church with 100 gates. The church complex contains a main chapel surrounded by two more chapels and a baptistery.

September 16, 2024
Stopped at a bakery and had a quiet breakfast on the beach. Decided to spend the day on Antiparos.

The islet of Antiparos, lies southwest of Parosand is less than one nautical mile from Paros. Antiparos can easily be reached from Pounta or Parikia by boat. I messaged Effie and Theo to tell them that I was heading over to Antiparos today. Effie messaged saying they would message me when they got to the island. As I was getting ready to load onto the ferry in Pounta, I noticed that Effie and Theo were in the same ferry. During the 7 minute ride, they suggested I park my car in Antiparos and jump in their car!

Soros beach is a long sandy beach and is located at a distance of 8km south of Antiparos town.This is the largest beach on Antiparos.

A mega boat that you see in around the harbours in Greece.

We met a couple (Donna and Warren) from Florida while in Soros Beach. As a group, we decided to head to explore The Cave of Antiparos. The cave is the number one attraction. Antiparos Cave is the only vertical cave in all of Europe, with a depth of 85 metres. It showcases amazing stalactites and stalagmites and is estimated to be 45 million years!

The views from outside the cave is special. The Aegean Sea sprawls at your feet, you can see Soros beach, the beautiful rocks and Paros.

Headed into town for lunch and another beach before catching the ferry back to Paros.

Dinner and a sunset walk.

September 17, 2024
Breakfast view…..tea and chocolate croissant

Explored Alyki town. Aliki is a smаll village on thе sоuth, less pοpulated coаst оf Parоs. It has beеn developing аs a rеsоrt in the last yeаrs and thе number οf hotels and rоοms to rеnt in the аrea is cоnstantlу inсrеаsing.

Fisherman setting hooks

Aliki has threе beаches. The main onе, which is in the сentеr is nаrrоw, with fine and very sοft sand. Around the bеach there is а mini markеt, a саr rental оffice and а small harbοr for fishing bоаts. Two traditiоnаl tavernas аt thе seafrοnt place thеir tаbles direсtly on a small stоnе pier in the middlе οf the hаrbor.

The other two beaches are at the two ends of Aliki. The one in the west end of the village is a strip of coarse sand and large pebble. However,
Faragas Beach is a large beach with fine sand and crystal clear waters that is protected from the winds and is one of the most popular beaches. Stayed at the beach for about an hour….then a very annoying couple sat right beside me. The man was talking very loud on his phone!

Stopped in Marpissa to take a pic of the house with a pink door.

Next stop was Lefkes. Lefkes is one of the loveliest villages of the Cyclades. It is located in the central part of Paros. The village is built at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, on a verdant hill covered with olive trees and pine trees. Its location offers a breathtaking view of the neighbouring island of Naxos.

Tried my first frappe (ice coffee). It was pretty strong and left me a big hyper with all the caffeine!

I still had the rental for a few more hours, decided to head back up to Naoussa again (visited the first day). Took a longer walk around the town.

Lunch

Went back to Kolibithres Beach again, as it is my favorite beach here on Paros.

Dropped the rental off. It was pretty beat up!

Showered and headed out for dinner. Donna and Warren recommended Bountaraki Seafood Restaurant, so I decided to try it. Since arriving in Greece I have had Greek salad and/or Calamari, however, today I broke tradition….. I ordered the stuffed aubergine (eggplant).

OMG! Delicious!

Off to Milos tomorrow!