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Sotiris Blatsis | profile | all galleries >> The Travel Photography - here, there and everywhere >> Greece, my land >> A breezy scent of the Small Cyclades tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

A breezy scent of the Small Cyclades

These pictures were taken during the main part of my summer holidays (17-27 August 2002) in Koufonissi and Amorgos - two of the five islands that comprise the Small Cyclades, the southeastern part of the Cyclades complex. The Small Cyclades are excellent shelters for downshifters, who desperately seek a tranquile break from the busy world. Koufonissi is renowned for its sandy beaches and crystal-clear emerald waters, while Amorgos - the island of "The Big Blue" - combines its wild morphology with the uniquely picturesque architecture of its Chora (Main Town). Stunning rocky cliffs that end up sharply into the sea offer some of the most breathtaking sceneries a visitor can ever see.

EDIT: A subgallery has been added at the end, containing pictures of a week's holiday in Amorgos, September 2006.
Can you see the pregnant female lying opposite Koufonissi?
Can you see the pregnant female lying opposite Koufonissi?		 God has created swimming pools, too...
God has created swimming pools, too...		 ...surrounded by caves to protect from the indiscrete eyes!
...surrounded by caves to protect from the indiscrete eyes!
Rough are the seas...
Rough are the seas...		 ...and thus I let the sailing competition commence!
...and thus I let the sailing competition commence!		 If you get stranded on Koufonissi main street...
If you get stranded on Koufonissi main street...
...just sit down to have a dish...
...just sit down to have a dish...		 ...and locals will warmly greet you...
...and locals will warmly greet you...		 ...before you decide to bid them farewell!
...before you decide to bid them farewell!
On which port did you say you disembark? Aeghiali...
On which port did you say you disembark? Aeghiali...		 ...or Katapola?
...or Katapola?		 Leave your bags and go straight away for a swim in Aeghiali beach...
Leave your bags and go straight away for a swim in Aeghiali beach...
...leaving the grey-coloured beach of Mouros for another day...
...leaving the grey-coloured beach of Mouros for another day...		 ...because you'll need your snorkeling equipment around this rock...
...because you'll need your snorkeling equipment around this rock...		 ...to discover a very interesting seabed.
...to discover a very interesting seabed.
In the view of Chora from southeast...
In the view of Chora from southeast...		 ...and in that from northwest...
...and in that from northwest...		 ...you will notice the castle standing imposingly.
...you will notice the castle standing imposingly.
So don't hesitate to wander in the narrow streets of Chora...
So don't hesitate to wander in the narrow streets of Chora...		 ...and if you find some doors shut...
...and if you find some doors shut...		 ...stop for a coffee rest in the shade...
...stop for a coffee rest in the shade...
...unless you prefer it under the sun...
...unless you prefer it under the sun...		 ...and next to the church...
...and next to the church...		 ...or would you prefer a pastry in the arcade maybe?
...or would you prefer a pastry in the arcade maybe?
Walk slowly past the Loza...
Walk slowly past the Loza...		 ...St. George is waiting at the entrtance of the castle...
...St. George is waiting at the entrtance of the castle...		 ...and so has been for centuries long...
...and so has been for centuries long...
...to view Chora from its staircase...
...to view Chora from its staircase...		 ...and realise the decay as time passes by...
...and realise the decay as time passes by...		 ...because every entrance still has an exit!
...because every entrance still has an exit!
Churches are built even next to the seashore...
Churches are built even next to the seashore...		 ...the same way as sculptures can be set up for buoys...
...the same way as sculptures can be set up for buoys...		 ...in case you are so absorbed by this sunset...
...in case you are so absorbed by this sunset...
Nikouria on one side...
Nikouria on one side...		 ...and Aghia Anna on the other...
...and Aghia Anna on the other...		 ...are inviting you to live the experience of...
...are inviting you to live the experience of...
...The Big Blue...
...The Big Blue...		 ...before you start climbing up Chozoviotissa...
...before you start climbing up Chozoviotissa...		 ...and see it come closer...
...and see it come closer...
...only to wonder how it was built in the eleventh century...
...only to wonder how it was built in the eleventh century...		 ...and decide to trespass its entrance.
...and decide to trespass its entrance.		 For the last evening, go uphill to Tholaria...
For the last evening, go uphill to Tholaria...
...keep this beautiful facade in mind...
...keep this beautiful facade in mind...		 ...and the painted terraces, so optimistic...
...and the painted terraces, so optimistic...		 ...because the sunset will eventually be followed by another day!
...because the sunset will eventually be followed by another day!
Amorgos will say goodbye with violin and lute...
Amorgos will say goodbye with violin and lute...		 ...and a glass of Rakomelo, raki with honey for the journey!
...and a glass of Rakomelo, raki with honey for the journey!		 Amorgos Island: coming back for more
:: Amorgos Island: coming back for more ::

comment | share
andronikkie13-Dec-2004 16:40
Poly kalos sxoliasmos!
Maria 20-Oct-2002 19:35
Ti mou 8umises twra pou tis eida...! Poli wraies fotografies.Zilepsa! Ekana kai gw to idio tour ton Augousto sta Koufonisia kai tin Amorgo alla oi fotografies mou einai me simvatiki kamera ki oxi psifiaki. Mporei na exoume perasei o enas dipla ston allo diladi:) Pou xereis?
Aphrodite 17-Oct-2002 19:15
Kataplhktikes photografies... Se taxideuoun akoma kai se ena axrwmo brady tou fthinopwrou... Swthrh, na'sai panta kala. Keep on!
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