Nisyros Island 🌋
Up early and instead of breakfast in town I suggested that we drive out to Kardamaina which is the port where our excursion leaves from. It’s just over a 30- minute drive all the way back to the airport, and then down to the water. When we arrived, we found a little bakery where we got tea, coffee, and a couple of pastries to munch on. We started on a little park bench overlooking the harbour. and watched as various tour groups arrived to catch the four main boats that would take us across to the Island of Nisyros for the day.
In 2003, my daughter Erin and I flew from Rhodes Island to Athens. Looking out the window, I saw this amazing volcano with a few people walking across the caldera. I thought that would be a pretty cool adventure to have.Jump ahead some 23 years, and when we decided to come to Kos I did a little looking around on Google Earth. I quickly realized that this little island is in a direct flight line from Rhodes to Athens. Therefore, it had to be the island I saw all those years ago. Sometimes you just have to be patient. A personal strong point!🙄😂
We purchased our tickets for this day trip online a couple of days ago when we arrived on Kos. I had done a little bit of research at home and had found a tour that would take us to the places where we would get the best views of the crater.
We crossed to the island in about 50’ and with the ferry and three other boats unloading passengers it got a little crazy as everyone tried to locate their bus. Not everyone was on the same excursion, and finding the bus that matched our activities proved challenging! Once we were on a bus we weren’t quite fully convinced that we were with the right group. We decided to just go with the flow, and miraculously it turned out that we were indeed on the right bus. Small miracle!
I had specifically wanted to go to the small village of Nakia because I’d read that there were some special views available and that the town of just 10 people had a nice vibe. my research proved accurate.
Nakia is a lovely village right on the edge of the crater about 400m above the caldera.
We decided to climb up out from town towards the monastery that sits above the town.
We didn’t have time to get up to the top, but we did find a lovely view.
And we had wonderful views into the caldera!
It was then time to drive down into the caldera. The roads on this island are incredibly windy and very narrow. When a vehicle arrives travelling in the opposite direction, everyone looks for a safe place to pull over. The one that drives through while the other stop wins! At the end of the drive today I watched the bus driver silently cross himself three times and say thanks. I suspect a few drivers have died on this piece of road.
We arrived at the base in one piece, paid our €5 and began the descent into the caldera base.
Anyway, you get the drift! From there we drove back out of the caldera and up the steep road before driving along the back side of the crater with the plan to wander around in the village of Mandraci
We went looking for a light lunch.
And found one! They call these toasties.
After lunch, we went walking to see this pretty little village. A few images.
And there were cats. Lots of them!
There some amazing stone murals as well!
We caught the 3:30 ferry back to Kos Is and drove into the main town. Clearly a very full day!
Tomorrow the weather is going to start dampish before the sun takes over in the afternoon. We hope to drive more of the island on our last full day here. We will see how we are feeling after another long day!
Cheers!
Geoff🍻
