Monday 19 August 2013

Hydra - the calderimia

 
 

Hydra, a crescent shaped town around the harbour is full of calderimia, stone-cobbled narrow pathways leading up outwards towards the rocky hills





walking, the only means of transport, unless one wants to ride a donkey or take a water-taxi, can be hard work but a delight.






A little church we would pass every day to and from our hotel





These old ceramic olive oil containers are to be found everywhere, serving as flower pots




 
narrow alleyways, a perfect way to shelter from the merciless sun in summer - and I mean merciless, Hydra can be very very hot
 
 
 

 


lots of plants everywhere to compensate for the dryness of the land





the Olive Tree tavern, a very popular place





lots of white and blue.





This is the Hippocampus hotel






we came across this mule several times a day - I'm glad its life was not too hard





this taverna was always packed at night





like this one





it's been a hard day





bougainvillea everywhere





so very narrow





all of the streets are paved with stone from the local hills/mountains






lots of stone buildings too





a hotel, I forget what it's called





This pharmacy was owned and run by one of the first women pharmacists in Greece - she took over the running of the place in 1947 and used to make her own creams, perfumes and lotions using local herbs that she collected from the mountains





today it is run by her son and the interior is as it was then





it is lovely walking around at night, as it gets cooler





it's a magical place





rows of blue plant pots in this dead-end alleyway





one more photograph




 
lots of small churches

 
 
 


same church, different view





Ken demonstrating how narrow some of these alleyways are






the hospital






one of the old mansions





up on the hill - I think it's a monastery





a nice little square





beautiful stone house with a wonderful terrace





stone steps leading up - as I said, walking around can be quite strenuous





we didn't eat here, but it looks very inviting.





The view from our hotel bedroom window - Hydra has its own flag dating from the Greek War of Independence against the Turks. On it, it says: 'I tan i epi tas'.  In ancient Greek times a Spartan mother said to her son who was going off to war, 'bring your shield back, or die on it', meaning, never, ever quit. This was the motto of the Hydriots when they were fighting for Greek independence.


2 comments:

  1. It looks so much like Southern Spain only with fresher paint!

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    Replies
    1. I guess there are quite a few similarities, particularly the Southern part of Spain, like you say.

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