Hermoupolis in the sun
We weren’t at all sure what kind of weather would greet us in Syros, having just experienced stormy Naxos and cold, windy Paros in the last couple of days. But the day dawned bright blue and blazing with beautiful sunshine for our first full day in Hermoupolis, the main town and the capital of the Cyclades islands. The early morning view from our teeny weeny balcony promised the beautiful day that was ahead of us.
It seemed to me like a perfect day for walking, in fact. And so that’s what we did. We started out easy, walking along the port promenade to a local cafe for breakfast overlooking the water. We followed that with a walk further along to the end of the groyne, or whatever they call it in Greece. The view of both sides of the town was lovely.
We continued on and into the town, wandering through the narrow (yes, really), marble, pedestrianised streets, coming first to Miaouli Square, and then to the Apollon Theatre.
Then we ventured further, and higher, our target for the morning being a couple of the churches. The first, Agios Nikolaos built in 1848, we were able to go in and sit for a while. As we’ve come to expect with Greek Orthodox churches, it was dark inside, but there was lovely music playing softly in the background, and we sat and admired the ornate and intricate decorations. My tendency is always to be a little scathing about these churches that place so much credence on how they look, but I was reminded this morning that the heart of the people who build and decorate them is to bring honour and glory to God, and this is their way. The interior is an eclectic mix of patterns and colours, but it all works. Except, perhaps, for the PlaySchool windows............
We then continued on, up, up, up and up, more narrow marbled streets, more flights of steps, and yet more. On the way we were able to appreciate the views over the Aegean Sea and the neighbouring islands. There were actually people sunbathing on the stone platforms, and swimming in the clear but no doubt chilly water. It did look inviting............ but no.
Onward and upward until finally we reached the Orthodox Church of the Resurrection, otherwise known as Anastasis Church. Unfortunately it wasn’t open, and wouldn’t be until 2pm, so rather than hang around, we decided we could come back another day to see inside. The view from the terrace was worth the climb anyway.
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| We could see it, but could we work out how to get there?? |
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| We made it! It was a bit like climbing to Sacre Coeur - there are many ways to get there but they’re all UP!! |
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| And the view from the terrace was lovely too |
By the time we got back to sea level it was well and truly time to find something for lunch. We wandered through the traditional marketplace on Venizelos Street, found some gyros and some fruit, and grabbed a few groceries from the little supermarket.
Our hotel room overlooks the busy port, so in the afternoon we stood on our balcony and watched the arrival and departure of the ferry back to Piraeus port in Athens. It was quite a sight, as it came in blowing its horn, the crowds of passengers waiting on the wharf, the cars and trucks queueing. There was no messing about, the changeover procedure was slick, with cars and trucks exiting the vessel, passengers disembarking and others boarding, cars driving on, and the last of the trucks reversing in. Hubby captured some time lapse videos of part of the process. It was loads of fun to watch, and very impressive, the fact that the ferry was an hour and 45 minutes late notwithstanding!!
We dined tonight at an Italian restaurant near the hotel. The meal was good - Greek salad (in an Italian restaurant, of course) and Strozzapreti with meat and mushroom sauce - but the complimentary dessert - a small panacotta and a small creme catalana - OH. MY. They were amazing. An awesome way to end our first lovely day on the island of Syros.
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