Saturday was still a bit overcast and cool. So it was a good day to rent a couple of cars for 22e each to scoot around the island. As usual, the tank was on empty and we put 15e in to get us through the day.
Our stops included a quick beach stop at Panormos Beach where the kids swam. We had some beers under a big umbrella from Yiannis’ restaurant. We were his only customers while we were there. We headed north to the village of Glossa which sits up high on the mountain facing west. Parking was a challenge so we didn’t actually see the village that day. We down a windy road to the Port of Loutraki which seemed a bit forlorn and worn out. Many of the hotels and houses were shuttered tight and nowhere near ready for the season. We explored one archelogical site – the ruins of Selenius, a Roman settlement and baths most of which the sea has reclaimed over the centuries.
Backup the hill to continue our explorations. The highlight of the day was the drive across the island to the Agios Yiannis church perched high on a rock, recently famous for being a film location for the Mama Mia wedding. There is a staircase that winds up the rock to reach the tiny church. The backyard has vistas of the rocky coastline and several huge olive trees. We completely missed the accessible beach next to this church on this first trip. But when we came back the following week with Julie and Kat, we climbed down to swim in the later afternoon. Wouldn’t it be fun to attend a panayiri here for St. John’s nameday in late June?
On the way home we headed for the village of Elias/Nea Klima to find another recommended restaurant – Captain Spyros Fish Taverna. Spyros and his sons catch the fish and the chef cooks it at night. He also sells his catch to the public. We are one of only a couple of tables since we are early in the season. In the summer you have to make reservations in July and August. We pigged out on lobster, octopus cooked two ways (grilled and sauteed in a wine sauce), calamari, barbounia (small pan fried fish) and lots of salads and mezedes. The chef came out and visited with us. He studied culinary in Athens and is also a bouzouki player. I think he is a part owner in the restaurant from the way he talked about the business.
Just about the time we got home, the thunder and lightning started. Not a good night to go out on the town. Instead we sat on the veranda upstairs and watched the show.