Ithaca Greece. Summer happenings on the Greek island of Ithaca, Ithaki 2005
 
 
 
 
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  summer lodownwho's herearound the villagesithaki general  
Ithaca Summer Fun
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Tue 23 Aug - Cont
View down to Marmaka Beach
Sunset at the Mill on top of Platrithias and Aphales. The long walk back to civilization after a serene interlude in the wild of Ithaca.
   
A shepherd, still in awe, as he looks across Ithaki. Far away from village lights and bars, at home on the mountain.
 
Walking to Marmaka Beach
The walk from Frikes to Marmaka Beach and then returning via Aphales, is one of the most popular walks on the island. The 3 hour journey turns into 4 or 5 hours with a swim and picnic on the marble beach. Many, many years ago Marmaka was one of the first tourist areas on Ithaca, with Club Med. Some remnants remain, but now days, this beach is mostly deserted and free of tourist activity, apart from a camper or a boat in the bay. Clear waters and marble pebbles, olive trees and mountains rising up and around the beach, make this a special area on the wilder side of Ithaca. The journey home opens up with some spectacular views that, in the silence of nature, conjure up great imaginings. They aid in the trek up and down the tracks that snake through rocky terrain, and the half finished road that leads up mountain sides and along cliff faces, forever upwards before the final descent towards Aphales. Pear and Fig trees line the roadside and nourish before the final climb towards Aphales. Behind the Mill and Church at the top of the mountain, the skies open up with with all the wonderful colours of sunset.
   
Wed 24 Aug - Above - A peak inside the old School Dormitory in Vathy. The large kitchen accommodated meals for Navy and High School children boarding there through the 60's and 70's. It's gardens were the recent stage for Dimitris Danis Production, in conjunction with the Fimios, of Full Moon Love with dancer Eder Cardoso
 
   
  Avant gard Eclectic Electronic Tribal Minimilistic Middle Eastern Nomadic Contemporary...A little out there for Kioni...Palyrria
 
Thu 25 Aug - Above - Pagona Moussouri introduces us to her 100 year old Lotus Tree, already bearing the soft fruit which tempted the mythological Lotus Eaters in the Odyssey.
 
 
   
Before the band started playing, the village kids set up the chairs front of stage to get a good position, thinking, quite rationally, the band that would perform for them would be the Party Kind. Palyrria are the party kind, but in an eclectic Club Way. The kids may have been disappointed and so may some of the adults, but for a great number, this gig was a shot in the arm that inspired and made their bodies move in rising crescendo with the tribal beats and sampled rhythms and sounds, given an extra kick with live drums by Chico, Ithakis homeboy, and the vocals of Panoyiotis. For the musicians in the audience, the intro music pricked up their ears in anticipation and pulled them in before cubase was even ingnited. For the others, it did take a few songs for their ears and minds to become accustomed to the shape of this style, but before their heads could count out the rhythm, their feet already had the beats down.
   
 
   
 
 
Given a better venue, this gig would have gone off big time, but amidst diners in the village square, many felt a little reluctant to let loose with their hips...Post gig cd sales were great though.
 
   
 
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Fri 26 Aug - Above left - The old Water Desalination Plant at Mavrona below Raxi. Right - The New Water Desalination Plant at Mavrona. High Tech below Raxi, one of the most traditional villages left on the island.
   
 
 
   
Fri 26 Aug - Another windy day, but ... All the beaches were full of people getting in their swim regardless of the wind blowing around their ears. The plus to the wind factor is that the horizon and views are crystal clear wherever you look and the sea reflects an iridescent aqua under the midday sun.
   
 
Far Left - The Bell Tower at Kathara Monastery. The deep blue sky darkens as late afternoon brings in early evening. You can help with the restoration of the Monastery by buying a candle to light, purchasing something from the Monastery exhibition or by merely leaving a donation. The caretaker Priest works hard at bringing this monastery back to its' former glory and all donations are welcome.
Left - The interior of the concrete shell at Marathona, south of Vathy. Iron bars and iron shutters on the windows keep people from climbing in the windows, but with the door wide open, a walk up the graffitied stairwell, is a curious must.
Below Left - South of Vathy, there's an island for sale. A Tiny piece of paradise waiting for a king (or queen) to rescue it from obscurity. It's a haven for yachts seeking a place to moor or quietly anchor, so that those on board can go for a discrete swim in the sheltered bay
   
 
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Sunday 28th August 2005
A Baptism in Anoghi, Ithaca Greece
Sun 28 Aug - Spiros Raftopoulos and Paula Argyri get married at Platrithia on Saturday 27th August 2005. For (not even nearly) all the pics, Click here or on Photo above.
   
Nikolao Vasilopoulos and Julia Andrianatos Baptize their daughter Anastasia and Emanuelle Tziousani and Virginia Andrianatos Christen their son Yiannaki at Anoghi on Sunday 28th August 2005.
A double Baptism at the Church in Anoghi for the Andrianatos sisters. For more pics Click here or on photos left and right
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It's September
 
   

Mon 5 Sep

Escaping Ithaki and following the tourist trail in Athens.

Click Hereor on Photo left.

While most people are thnking of a relaxing holiday on a Greek island, hOME ithaca greece heads to the city of Athens to discharge, recharge and get overcharged with surcharge. Let's head Around some other Villages to follow the tourist trail around Syntagma, The Plaka, Monastiraki and the Acropolis.
 
     
 
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For more pics of Spiros and Paula Wedding, Click here and see a Greek Wedding On Ithaca CLICK ON PHOTO FOR MORE PICTURES OF THIS BAPTISM ON ITHACA GREECE CLICK ON PHOTO FOR MORE PICTURES OF THIS BAPTISM ON ITHACA GREECE CLICK ON PHOTOGRAPH TO SEE MORE PICS OF ESCAPING ITHAKI AND FOLLOWING THE TOURIST TRAIL IN ATHENS DURING AUGUST