Story Pages Karin uses her literary talents with some editing by Michael to share some of our adventures.

Kolimbithres Mycenean Site

This is the site we climbed to early one morning before it got too hot! (We had seen it earlier in the week but were tired from swimming and beer)

This site is Mycenaean about 1500-1200 BC. It was called an Acropolis because it was built on a high site overlooking the area. Below us but out of view is a smallish plateau where the foundations of houses are, but it was impossible to climb down and the only way was blocked intentionally I think to keep people from going down and digging for antiquities. What I am resting on is a reconstruction of a pillar base or wall. It is impossible to know what is what because it is so old. The view is totally washed out but you can get an idea anyway of the edge of the bay where we swim. This site is about 25 minutes from where we live....by old roads.

Kolimbithres Rocks where we Swim

This is part of the beach where we swim...it is sandy a long ways out, then gets deeper, then shallow again, so it is funny to be in the deep part and see people further out standing up! These rocks are surrounding the beach on one end making it dramatic. The water is crystal clear in my picture, but perhaps it does not come out so in yours! The rocks are sandstone and wind sculpted into weird shapes. After swimming we go to the taverna which is just over the rocks. A hotel appears up on the side of the hill in the trees, and the Mycenaean site is also just up on the hills above this picture.

Michael & Karin Shepherd Email: paroshep@otenet.gr

Telephone: +30-2840-91042 Location Map available by email

Post: P. O. Box 41 Paros, Greece 84400

We went snorkeling

Michael wanted to walk out to the end of the peninsula where the sea meets the bay. It was very clear, but very very deep. I did not have the courage to go in....he did and enjoyed it. Said he saw different fish than in the bay also that the depth made it more dramatic...so when he finished I went into the bay and snorkeled in shallower water. I also saw fish, and a huge school of tiny fish. It was fun to swim through them, they don't seem to mind! Michael said he went through a school of fish that the sunlight made look purple.

Tonight's sunset was spectacular...an ultra-light was flying through the picture perfect scene....red sunset with a glittery path across the lavender and pinkish water....islands dark purple in the background, a ferry boat catches the sun and shines golden....a scattering of little fishing boats ...on the island across from us lights starting to twinkle like distant stars....but wait! Am I in heaven or Paros? My guess is - it is both!!!

Market Street

The main street in Parikia is called Market street and is about 1/2 mile long and only 6 feet wide in most places. With all the sidewalk merchandise, 3 people abreast completely block traffic--which frequently happens as no one is paying attention, or trying to get anywhere.. It is not straight, but wanders around with corners. It is nearly all shops...and cafes. It is the oldest part of the village, making it the original. The sea is only about 1/2 block to the left. This street is jammed packed in August...and is open from 10 in the morning until midnight! Again, it takes on an entirely different atmosphere in the night with all the lights. Some very expensive restaurants with beautiful courtyard tables also are here. One of my favorite coffee places is on this alley under a huge tree in the middle making the road go on both sides of it. The tables are very good people watching!