08th June  Alonnisos

Twenty minutes by Quick Cat (18 Euros) and we arrived at Alonnisos’s laid back little Port of Patitiri with two rocky cliffs surrounding a beach bay, fronted by tavernas and cafes and the continual “comings and goings” of fishing boats, yachts and ferries ! 

It all just gets better and better,  a smaller version of the other Islands but with a huge Marine Park which was set up in 1992 primarily to protect the Mediterranean Monk Seal, sadly only 400 remain – not much chance of seeing one!  Great pine forests and tracks, olive groves and a mixture of sandy and pebbled beaches.

On our way to look for rooms we were intercepted by Nikos who took us to Hotel Haravgi above the town – we secured a self contained studio for 25 Euros with great views over looking the Port.

We’ve been here 4 nights now and what fun!  We hiked the 4kms to the old Hora perched on the hill above  the Port – a mixture of old and new after an earthquake in 1965.  We explored the nearby beaches and stripped off and swam in the rocky coves!  Great having our goggles!  The water here is incredibly clear being a marine park.


 We rented a 125cc scooter from Road Runner Scooters after Helen  (the owner) advised it was much more practical than a 50cc bike!  No licience problems here!   We explored the island  (about 20k long)  swimming and hiking some tracks along the way!  We discovered a cute little fishing village called Steni Vala 10 kms from Patitiri - wonderful!.. And more  tiny fishing villages and stunning beaches.

We loved  Steni Vala so much we  decided to move and stay 4 nights here – arrived yesterday with scooter!  (Helen even gave us a lift here with our bags as we’d hired our bikes from her for a week). Staying in rooms called Drosostalia Seaview Rooms with kitchen, a huge balcony overlooking the tiny port and beach, only 20 Euros.  Making the most of all this luxury as it will become more difficult to find and more expensive as the month moves on and demand increases.  (Only mentioning costs in this blog to give those interested an idea of budget).


Returning from a walk last evening , we found we had lost the room keys,  not a problem for the owner (who also Owns Fanari Taverna) who plied us with free ouzo until another set was found.  Think we might loose them again tonight haha!