The next morning, Sunday May 23 I woke up at 10 o clock. I had already planned to go alone and explore the south side of the island, which was not habitated. Before doing that I went to the town of Skyros with the rest of my company as a national TV documentary show has visited the island. There were a lot of local people around, folclore dance groups were dancing and local food producers were treating everybody with food and sweets. After the show he walked in the town for a bit and then the rest of the company returned to the house, while I started my tour.
There were plenty of local delights down there! A fake sleeping cat! Beautiful traditional pottery Another small church The statue of poet Rupert Brooke, whose tomp I would visit later in the day Pouria and Magazia areas as seen from the town of SkyrosFaltaits Museum , a "must" place to visit in SkyrosMy first destination, after leaving the town of Skyros was the main port of the island, Linaria. It was about 10 km far.
Linaria port The blue of our flag... taken from the sea and the sky South Skyros landscapeLeaving Linaria I headed for Kalamitsa, riding around its bay and stopping in a sping called Nyfi. I was astonighsed with the bougainvillea plants that were everywhere around.
The spring "Nyfi" Kalamitsa bay Kolymbada bayI left nyfi and kept riding and taking photos. On my way I found a small valley and rode into it.
The place was offered for off road driving I dusturbed some sheep who were taking their napUnfortunately the valley had a dead end so I returned to my main route
Calfs and sheep were spying on me...In the point (38 47' 23.0" N, 24 37' 22.6" E) I got out of the paved road and took a dirt road to Renes bay. The road was getting rough so I stopped to think my next move.
Renes bay There were trails of other bikes who have passed the road Renes Beach I could drive through this road but I didnt have the correct protection as I was only wearing my summer jacket, jeans and sneakers. I was also alone and help was quite far if something bad happened. I had a look at my cell phone to see the time and then I took my final desicion. I was out of network cover. That meant that if something bad happened I wouldnt be able to communicate for help. I turn around and left but I am sure I made the right decision. I put "visit Renes bay" in my "to do" list next time I visit Skyros.
I got on the paved road and continued.
The bay of Treis Boukes, meaning Three Entrances, from the three openings made from the islands in front of the bayPassing by a plateau full of sheep, I would visit it later on my return) The end of the road Finally I found the end of the road. There was an elevated hill from which you could gaze the horizon.
A navy outpost, beside the sea I was still being spied....After staying there and relaxing a bit a took the way back. I wanted to go to the plateu I have spoted before. On my way I met the
Skyros Pony and took some pictures of it.
After a while I got to the plateu, called Are's Plateu. (GPS 38° 48' 03.1" N , 24° 38' 35.3 " Α)
I left the beautiful and full of sheep plateu in order to visit
Rupert Brooke's tomb approximately 5 km away
Gps (38 47' 04.7" N, 24 36' 44.3" E)
At the end of the road was a Navy base. I wasn't allowed to approach so I turned around and headed back to the town of Skyros. My next stop would be at 16.5 km called Achilli port, whrere according to the mythology, Achilles sailed with his troops for Troy!
The town of Skyros, as seen from Achilli Achilli Port GPS (38° 52' 17.8" N , 24° 34' 49.3" E)
I stopped at a little church and finally ate something after several hours. My next stop would be the pre-historic settlement of "Palamari" (3000 - 2500 BC), where was the first port of the island. It was 17.2 km away and I had to hurry, because the sun was setting.
Palamari citadel GPS (38° 57' 53.3" N , 24° 30' 35.2" E)
I left Palamari, heading to St Peters beach, I had visited the previous day. I had heard that there was a ship wreck on one of the beaches around and I wanted to have a look. The beach was called Agalipa and I would seek for it.
The sign showing the Agalipa beach I had seen the previous day I followed the dirt road the sign was indicating and tried to get to the sea. It was late and the sun had set but I was determined to find the ship wreck. I left my motorcycle at GPS (38 57' 40.9" N , 24 27' 40.7" E) and continued on foot with my gps on the hand. There were 3 beaches around so I chose to go to the north one where I thought the ship wreck would be. I was on a thick forest so I put the track record on the gps so I could return to the motorcycle. It was almost dark when I reached the beach. I had to climb a 4 meter slope where hopefully somebody had tied a rope. I stepped on the sand and looked around. I couldn't see any shipwreck! Probably I was on the wrong beach...
Gps (38 57' 46.9" N , 24 27' 37.5" E)
It was time to return home. I set my gps to maximum zoom and started following back my tracks into the woods. There was no light at all so I was using an emergency torch I had on my leg pouch. After some time I finally reached my motorcycle and headed back to the house. I had a walk with my friends as it was my last night on Skyros and went exhausted to bed.