Greece-Ios Kalamos Beach

About three kilometres from the end of Mylopotas,goat is proffered, followed by festivities with local
after we have ascended about 200 metres, betweenmusical instruments, dances and songs. The
the road and the sea, stands the beautiful little churchcelebrations go on till morning when, because it's a fast
of the Panayia tis Mersinias, which celebrates itsday, everyone is offered bean soup.
festival on the 23rd of August.We leave the monastery impressed and go on to the
A little way below the Panayia tis Mersinias is thebeach of Kalamos. The road has now begun to
beach of Sapounochoma, with its striking green rocks.descend towards the east coast of the island. A little
But it can be reached only from the sea. About amore patience and we shall soon see the large bay of
kilometre beyond the point where the road passes theKalamos before us, with its white beach.
church of the Panayia tis Mersinias is a side road toThe beach has the shape of a large horseshoe.
the right that leads to the chapel of Ayia Ekaterini. WeBeyond it, as far as the eye can see, are more
continue along the main road and, after about threebeaches, even more isolated like Plakes, where the
kilometres, come to the church of Ayios Dimitrios onroad seems to end. In the ravine are a few rural
our left. The road soon veers left towards the interiorhouses, built a good distance from each other, forming
of the island, after which it comes to the intersectiona small settlement. At the right of the large beach rises
for Kalamos, where we turn left. Shortly after the turn,a rocky hill with a house and a sheep-pen. If you run
there is a surprise in store.the risk of the owner's dogs and get to the top of the
On a small plateau next to a steep, jagged rock,hill, you will enjoy a unique view. The colours of the sea
stands the gleaming white complex of the monasterycover the entire spectrum from blue to turquoise and
of Ayios loannis. A paved path, with whitewashedgreen. Before the hill, the road descends steeply and
joints between the paving stones, an imposing,comes to the beach, before going on to Plakes. At this
two-storey bell-tower with a series of arches, throughpoint we are some 20 kilometres from the harbour of
which we enter the church forecourt, a beautifullos.
church opposite, with the ancillary rooms around it - allFind one of Ios hotels to leave your suitcases and take
of an impressive, white, cleanliness.a Tour to Ios as soon as possible to admire its
The great day for the monastery is the 29th ofbeauties. One of the greatest hotels on the island is
August, though worshippers begin to arrive the eveningFar Out Hotel.
of the day before, for vespers. After vespers, boiled