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Published: June 22nd 2017
Geo: 36.7469, 24.4309
If I had the power to make time stand still only once I think I would do it right now. I don't know what it is about Milos but I know I'm not the only one to have felt this way. I think its the blue skies and idyllic views, the serenity and the feeling that you can do as little or as much as you want, as well as the warm hospitality and relaxed demeanour of the island's inhabitants. I feel like I could happily stay here forever.
The village of Pollonia is perched on the north east corner of the island and is almost an island in itself being surrounded by the calm azure waters of the Mediterranean on three sides. Our two bedroom beach house has a large two level balcony which looks out over a small bay where various sea vessels are moored. The vessels range from small traditional fishing boats to modern motor craft. Oversized seagulls constantly hover and land on and around the boats hoping to be lucky enough to find a discarded piece of fish.
Across the bay is the village which consists of a two churches, a mini mart, a
pharmacy, a few other small stores, a taverna, a cafe and about a dozen restaurants. There is even a small winery which makes among other wines, retsina, which is my favourite. The terraced hillsides beyond the village are scattered with whitewashed concrete houses perched strategically to avail of the best views of the picturesque bay.The road from the village to our house is lined with small cottages and rooms for rent. From our balcony we can look across the bay and see the village laid out before us.
So far we have spent many hours on our balcony just watching the people and the boats as they come and go. We can see the ocasional ferry or day cruise boat as it passes by or docks at the small village jetty. We have come to know the routine of some of the fishing boats as they go about their daily business. The feeling of serenity is strongest at the sight of the crystal clear waters and the sound of the rythmic lapping as each wave reaches the small pebbly beach.
The plan was to find a pleasant beach house on a small island in a picturesque village and spend a
week liviing just a little bit like a local while doing as little as possible. I am so pleased that my plan worked out pretty much as I had intended, except perhaps even better. The house we have rented is just perfect, its spotlessly clean and has everything we could possibly need. The attention to detail is astonishing.
Having had to have sought medical attention for a lingering cold and a small off on our scooter we have now pretty much made friends with the local phamarcist and the lady that the runs the mini mart, as well as the staff at the medical centre. So we are perhaps living like locals but for the all the wrong reasons. Contrary to all the criticisms of Greece in recent months we were pleasantly suprised to find that basic medical care for everybody, including tourists, is totally free of charge not to mention the fact that is swift, efficient and friendly.
The village is a short walk away and some of our days consist of little more than a trip to the mini mart on the scooter in the morning for a few essential supplies, an afternoon reading a book or writing,
drinks and mezes on the terrace late afternoon and then a short evening stroll into the village again. There is a row of restaurants lining the foreshore all with stunning views of the small bay as the sunlight sparkles on the water at dusk. We always make sure we are seated in prime position to watch the sometimes spectacular sunsets as we dine.
The food is sensational. I am truly impressed that most of the establishments in Pollonia are reaching out beyond the traditional and offering up a tantalizing selection of dishes based on those we have found in Greece in the past but with new and innovative twists. The service is pretty much faultless while still offering that endearing warmth and friendiness that we have always found on the islands and in fact throughout most of Greece. There is still the offer of a complimentary shot of ouzo to finish off a fine meal!
We have done a small amount of exploring so far and will possbily do some more before we leave but its not a priority. We have seen a bit of the eastern side of the island having visited the port village of Adamos and the
old town of Plaka which is of historical significance. We visited the site of the discovery of the Venus de Milos, the museum and the roman amphitheatre made predominatly of marble, which is currently being restored to be as it was more than 2000 years ago. Tomorrow we may visit the wetlands on the west side of the island and a couple of the beaches touted as the islands best. Today we may do nothing more energetic than taking a swim in the sea.
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Lyndal
non-member comment
Looks wonderful