Why two days in Kiparissi? With force 6-7 blowing over an open fetch of ocean for 36 hours, we could tell by just looking out of the harbor that it was not going to be pleasant out there. We certainly could have done it, but when you see the photos of Kiparissi, you will understand why a stay of 2.5 days did not bother us in the least. Add to that the fact that our anchor got friggered up on some rocks on the bottom and as we tried to pull it up we got stuck and had to spend all morning having a local diver help us get off.... Well the decision was made. An extra day in paradise!
So sue and I commenced exploring the countryside. The only available dock was 1.5 miles from town, but fortunately had a lovely Taverna right next to it with the nicest family owners. We ate there the whole time. Town was absolutely lovely, with coffee shops overlooking the ocean. A nice walk through olive groves along the coastline leading to town, overlooking a stone pebbled beach. Sounds of cicadas singing in the trees, and sheep wandering the fields with the bells around their necks ringing.
Small Greek Orthodox Chapel along the way, gate and door open, anyone welcome to go in and have a visit with God. Olive trees probably centuries old, many of them.
So we make our way up to the large church in town, and notice that the gate to the cemetery behind is open. Two town women are moving around the cemetery, lighting candles (oil lamps) on many (but not all) of the graves. We enter. Such a personal place... Most gravesides with a photograph of the person in a small sheltered area, and and the oil lamp burning next to them. Sometimes incense burners as well. And up in the farther reaches, crypts with iron gates drew our attention. A walk up to them revealed inside, as we looked through the gate, piles of the family bones. In one we counted five skulls. Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him well (if only we knew which one he was!).
So sue and I commenced exploring the countryside. The only available dock was 1.5 miles from town, but fortunately had a lovely Taverna right next to it with the nicest family owners. We ate there the whole time. Town was absolutely lovely, with coffee shops overlooking the ocean. A nice walk through olive groves along the coastline leading to town, overlooking a stone pebbled beach. Sounds of cicadas singing in the trees, and sheep wandering the fields with the bells around their necks ringing.
Small Greek Orthodox Chapel along the way, gate and door open, anyone welcome to go in and have a visit with God. Olive trees probably centuries old, many of them.
So we make our way up to the large church in town, and notice that the gate to the cemetery behind is open. Two town women are moving around the cemetery, lighting candles (oil lamps) on many (but not all) of the graves. We enter. Such a personal place... Most gravesides with a photograph of the person in a small sheltered area, and and the oil lamp burning next to them. Sometimes incense burners as well. And up in the farther reaches, crypts with iron gates drew our attention. A walk up to them revealed inside, as we looked through the gate, piles of the family bones. In one we counted five skulls. Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him well (if only we knew which one he was!).
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