Greece, Island of Lesvos

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We ( mum and 2 boys aged 7 and 14) visited the island of Lesvos in Greece for a fortnight in July 2012. Lesvos is the third largest Greek island and is situated in the north-eastern Aegean, just off the coast of Turkey. We were staying at the Niki-Michael studios in Petra on the north of the island and had a transfer time of one and a half hours from Mytilene airport.

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We got on the coach, but our luggage went on a different coach, and transferred to a smaller van, as the streets in the village are quite narrow and not conducive to coaches. The studios were in a rural location (10-12 mins walk from Petra), and while initially, we had wanted something closer to the village centre, we would probably not have bothered to explore the charming cobbled hilly streets that we had to negotiate on our way to the seafront for lunch/dinner. Make hay while the sun shines

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Lovely old doors

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Wisteria clad buildings

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We had a bull and a donkey as neighbours

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And 2 swallow's nests right outside our bathroom window . . .

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The island is a migratory refuelling point for birds and on our trip to Petra, we saw a Pelican, some storks, (two of which were nesting on a tall chimney in the village of Kolloni) - which is the inland village of Scala Kolloni) and a very large flock of flamingos, (approx 200) at the Kalloni salt pans.

We had considered staying at the adjacent towns/villages of Molyvos and Anaxos too. Molyvos was recommended to us, as being a very authentic, rustic, chaming town – and it is. But it has only stony beaches (no good for boys that like to run about the beach) and the only accommodation available to us was a half an hour’s walk outside the town – the 7 yr old would have struggled with that in the heat! Anaxos was tempting, though much smaller, but I felt the boys might need a bit more ‘buzz’ in the evenings.

Petra’s dominant feature is the church of Panagia Glykofilousa ( Our Lady of The Sweet Kiss) which is reached by 136 steps (there is a hand rail most of the way, but not for the faint hearted or those with mobility problems, obviously).

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There are fine views of the bay of Petra and of the very impressive mountains to the rear.

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The harbour is at the far end, to the right . . that is where you can get the boat trips from . . about 20 mins from the village square at the seafront, or 30 mins from our apts.

MORE TO FOLLOW IN A FEW DAYS

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From the square at the seafront, the road leads east towards Anaxos (around the next headland) or right towards the harbour

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There are sunbeds on the beach, which are free if you buy a drink or have lunch there . . We found the best part of the beach to be the first bit you come across, opposite the Lemon Bar. The Greeks used to hang out here . . other areas had rocks in the water. The beach shelves a bit and is coarse sand and a bit pebbly as you enter the water, but a few (3-4)metres out and we were standing on sand like talcum powder.

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One day, we went to the village of Anaxos

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But was glad we weren’t staying there, as there appeared to be only the seafront, with restaurants, bars etc:(some with wifi), but no character/cobbled hilly, backstreets to explore. There was a lot of weed in the water, for quite some way out, which wasn’t very pleasant, until you hit clearer water. I swam out quite a bit and saw something very unsavoury in the water . . a t*rd . . . We made a quick exit and didn’t go back.

Another night, we did the ‘Molyvos by night’ tour. We were picked up by coach from just beyond the square and it was very hot! My 7 yr old was quite faint and I had to keep soaking his head, arms and legs with cold water, to refresh him. The guide, who was our rep in Petra, was very knowledgeable and entertaining, without being over the top . . he struck a very good balance. We were dropped off at the castle, and then made our way down the narrow, winding streets to the village square (which is really a triangle), where we were treated to a glass of ouzo. We were then free to spend a few hours as we wished. We stopped for a drink first, then made our way to the harbour, where we had dinner.

Views from the pick up point, up to the castle and some excavation . . . of tombs affraid

THere is a restaurant/cafe type place

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The view from about half way down the hill, over the old olive press, which is now a hotel.

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Many of the restaurants on the hilly streets have dining areas/balconies which are hanging on to the side of the hill, with wonderful views.

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We ate at ‘Le Bleu Marine’ at the harbour, which is a great spot to people watch. There are boats coming and going, fishermen debating the crisis

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Costos' love shack Cool

The local Dry Dock Shocked

. . you may have noticed that I like pics of Greek boats . .

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You can just see the castle on the hill in the top left hand corner . .

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and plenty of feline company.

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Mustn’t forget the 'entertainment' lol!

One of those charming hilly steets

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On our way back to the coach, it was dark and the castle was lit up on the hill . . . pics didn't come out great, but it will give you some idea . .

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Back to Petra . . .

The village square is on the seafront, and it's nice to sit and watch the world go by . . including CRAZY drivers of both cars and motorbikes. Certainly in Petra and Molyvos, they dont close off the streets to traffic at night and it's a real life skill at times to make your way from A to B affraid

We usually walked to the seafront for lunch (all but one day) and looked for a place with wifi . . Cantina's was the best . . run by a lady from the North of England, who had married out here. It had 'muzak' and did serve English bacon and sausages but that was the trade off against going somewhere Greek and having intermittant wifi . . Our favourite restaurant The Women't Co-operative' (TWC) was directly above, with access gained via the side street around the corner.

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Yamas at Cantina . . Cool

And the activity in the square by night . .

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At TWC, The Lamb Fricasse was my favoutite . . . I had it 3 out of the four nights we went there . . Embarassed

The fifth, seventh and eighth one's down on the starter menu were all very good too . . . but definately enough for two people . .

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And there was only one of me . . . but I hate waste . . cheers

View, right, left and straight ahead from TWC

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Our next two favourites were 'Thalassa' and The Reef, but honestly, we didn't have a bad meal anywhere . . .

There is another beautiful, very old church as you head up the hill from the square, towards the church on the rock . .

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It was close to here that I met my 'cicada' friend . . Twisted Evil

now THAT was a real 'crisis' lol!

All in all, Lesvos is a very charming, traditional island. We didn't hire a car, so only explored the villages in our vicinity, but it was a chill-out break.

We had fab food, lovely lie-ins, dips in the sea and wonderful sunsets . .

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I have loads of pics on the ipad . . but don't know how to transfer them to my computer yet . . .

If I come across any other nice ones and can work out what to do . .

That's it folks . .

Yassos from my new Greek BFF . .

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Mad Destination Expert

an excellent review of the place Boss, gave me reminders of Lesbos. Those buildings that sort of lean over the cliff edge was engraved on my mind from all those years ago.

Enjoyed reading that with all those pictures

a rep or two from me cheers

Girl Power Member

Yes a rep from me. Lovely pics and review. Sells Greece to me.

Lil 'ol wine drinker

excellent tb...rep from me too ! Very Happy

Girl Power Member

roamer wrote:: Yes a rep from me. Lovely pics and review. Sells Greece to me.

Which pic did it for you Roamer , , , the frosty beer . . or The jug of wine? Cool

Majorca Mad

Lovely review TB, have a well earned rep Thumsup

Girl Power Member

Cheers Mark cheers

But I don't think you and Jan would appreciate the 'entertainment' . . .

The best you could hope for would be a Demis Roussos or Nana Mouskouri tribute act . . . Very Happy

Lil 'ol wine drinker

theboss wrote:: Cheers Mark

But I don't think you and Jan would appreciate the 'entertainment' . . .

The best you could hope for would be a Demis Roussos or Nana Mouskouri tribute act . . .

That famous line dancing couple............................................ Very Happy

Girl Power Member

Errrrr . . . of course cheers

Majorca Mad

Not quite Kenny & Dolly I suppose Very Happy

But we like the chilled out nights just as much as the shirt off and dancing on the bar nights! cheers

Lil 'ol wine drinker

Islands in the stream - a croaky fave of mine.......

sorry - off topic.......... Embarassed

Majorca Mad

Not like you beeechiepoo lol!

Lil 'ol wine drinker

why do you all make out that I'm the worst for going OT ?............................. scratch

Majorca Mad

Let me think.... lolol

Ah....! cos Micks not signed on! cheers

Lil 'ol wine drinker

....so I take the flack for him ? ...

not right Rolling Eyes

ALL ROUND GOOD GUY

beeech wrote:: ....so I take the flack for him ? ...

not right

If I am not on you take the flak, surely you remember that in your MF Contract Beeech. wink

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Mick

Admin

Finally got round to reading this, brilliant review and amazing photos, loved them last few sun shots looked really professional. Lots of reps for all the posts, well done and many thanks for sharing

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Girl Power Member

Cheers Daryn cheers

ALL ROUND GOOD GUY

Fantastic honest reviews TB, with some fabulous photo's, rep from me. clap

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Mick

Girl Power Member

And cheers Mick too cheers

Subject: Re: Greece, Island of Lesvos Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:56 pm

Great review TB.

rep from me too.

Girl Power Member

Thanks Jim cheers