It has been quite some time since I last visited my home island Chios. It is the place where my mother comes from, and where I have spend the best summers as a kid.
One day off from work, a statutory holiday, a weekend in the middle and the opportunity was just there for a quick visit and touring to places that I love on the island.
Day 1
Arriving at the small airport, getting the rented car even before luggages were picked up, and driving to the city .... in the fastest trip I ever had.
The view from the hotel... the harbour and the sea... with seagulls balancing in the wind and the city living on Friday rythms.
Relaxing and having lunch at the best restaurant of the island, at Ag. Ermioni, named Bahari.
Visiting Citrus, a small paradise at the heart of "Kampos", that is both a cafe and a traditional products shop. Fragrance of Jasmine mixed with tangerine tree flowers, with birds singing and cats sleeping under the shadow of the vine pergolas.
I have written before about the beach that I love (at The guardians of the beach). Aghia Fotia, with small pebbles, cool water and people is of the best places to spend your summers.
Night walk at the harbour; not many people since summer not here yet. This road closes for cars and you cannot move due to the crowds gathered and having their evening walk during July and August.
Day 2
Starting the tour to the southern island and its medieval villages. Driving, driving with short stops to see as many as possible of the places.
The "Black Pebbles" beach is the most famous of the island. At summer time the stones burn while the water remains relatively cold. The nature of the beach is attributed to volcanic activity millions of years ago.
Mastic museum gives a very detailed idea of the production procedure, the history and the uses of the unique mastic that is produced only in Chios.
Pyrgi is one the most known villages due to the geometrical paintings on almost all of the houses; also the bigest one.
Mesta is the most well preserved traditional medieval village. Walls of the external houses built as a castle-wall with towers at each corner, only four entrances to the village, narrow paths, a central rectangular tower (currently replaced with archangels Michael and Gabriel church); everything to protect the village from pirates' attacks.
Towers were built along the west coast of the island facing Aegean Sea. Their guards had the task to inform the villagers when pirates were approaching.
You take a turn while driving and there you see it... Anavatos is an abandoned village at the top of a rock like an eagle's nest. One thinks that a dragon will appear flying away... or a princess will wave to be saved from the tower at the end of the cliff.
Avgonyma, close to the previous village, has the best view at the Aegean Sea! When weather is clear one can see Evoia and Andros at the other end of the Archipelagos. In any case one of the best sunsets can be enjoyed from up there... the place where my grandfather was born....
Back to the city, excausted, but still in the mood for a drink before getting some rest. A new bar at the end of the harbour; close to its entrance, with the best view to the city lights keeps its promise for good music and relaxing moments...
Two more days to follow, calmer, windless but still interesting on the island.
Take care and travel with mind and body!
(All photos originally shot on the island)