Life is a Beach!

 Tuesday May 20 was another picture perfect day with a high of 24C.

Breakfast on the deck-- clothes drying nearby

We caught the 11:30 bus to Agios Prokopios, a beautiful sandy beach in a sheltered bay.  It is only a 20 minute bus ride and we are fortunate to have a bus stop one minute from our apartment.  

The beach had many different sections of umbrellas and loungers.  They are free (at least at this time of the season).   However, waiters from the restaurants and hotels behind them give you food and drink menus, which you can order from.  We just had a bottle of sparkling water.

Beach with loungers

Another view


The good life

We were able to move the loungers so that we could tan our legs, but still keep our faces out of the direct sun.  There were some people in the water and I ventured in.   The Aegean Sea was a beautiful colour and it was sandy and not too deep.  Luckily, I am used to Ontario lakes in early summer, so it was fine, especially as the air was so warm.

First time in the Aegean Sea

We took the 3:35 bus back to the port.  

Memorial near bus station

We wandered back to the store selling the kitron liqueur and bought a very small bottle to take with us.  It is a very unique flavour and produced only on the island of Naxos.

The very lovely store- Prompona

We decided we wanted a late afternoon snack.   We stopped at Meze Meze, a restaurant on the waterfront run by two brothers and a sister.   We shared a Cretan Dakos appetizer with tomatoes, capers, olives and cucumber and some wonderful local sheep cheese mixed in with the rusks.

Very yummy- the Naxos sheep cheese was excellent 


Leaving the restaurant looking back at the harbour- we sat near the water

We decided to wander in the streets behind the main promenade and found ourselves wandering up the stairs to the hilltop Kastro (Venetian fortress) neighbourhood.   Eirini, our host had told us that all stairs lead up to the Kastro and all stairs lead down to the Port, no matter which ones a person takes.

Colourful planters on the way up

Climbing


Beware of dog


Very quiet in the late afternoon 

We also noted that stores seem to be closed between 3:00-6:00 p.m. and then reopen from 6:00- 9:00 p.m.   We were heading up to the Kastro just after 5:15 p.m.


Family crests by the doors


Another beautiful door and building


Design and flowers

Another arch

Beautiful church in the Kastro


Map of the Kastro

Another coat of arms over a well-preserved building

We had read about the Avaton 1739 restaurant at the top of the Kastro.  It is located atop the historic Old Monastery of Ursulines and the School of Ursulines of Naxos.  It is within the stone walls of the Venetian Castle. 

The entrance to the restaurant has artefacts from the Monastery 

We wandered through the terrace to get a panoramic view of the city.   We are planning to return for dinner on Wednesday as the food is supposed to be very creative, using local produce.

Part of the Terrace

In another part of the restaurant there is a great quote on one of the walls: "For one minute, stand there in silence/look up at the sky/ and contemplate how amazing life is."

Spectacular view of the city

Very nearby to Avalon 1739, we had noticed at sign for Petalouda Art Gallery.  It had been closed when we first walked by, but as it was now just after 6:00 p.m., it had reopened.

Sign outside the Gallery


Entrance into a lovely building, that was part of an old church


Entrance artists

Information about the gallery and owner Guy Pouzol.

Allan fell in love with a wonderful painting by a Parisian artist Isabelle Malmezat.  He decided to make a purchase.  We will pick up the painting tomorrow.  As it is acrylic on paper, it will be able to be rolled up for travel.  We had a nice chat with the owner, Guy Pouzol, who is originally from Paris but opened the gallery in Naxos over 20 years ago.  All the artists exhibited were superb.

The painting - the blue colouring is very striking


Admiring the piece

Leaving the gallery- Fantastic space and wonderful art

We walked back down to the Port and then headed to the apartment.  En route, we stopped at an amazing old-fashioned store jammed packed with goods- lots of local cheeses; olives, capers, olive oil, and herbs as well as many old-fashioned objects and bric-a-brac. Antonis Tzimblakis's traditional store was opened by his father in 1938.  
Tzimblakis- full of treats

Then it was back to the apartment for another wonderful fish dinner by Chef Allan.  The quality of dorade  (sea bream) is excellent in Greece.  Naxos is also known for its potatoes, which are also excellent.  We also had a delicious artichoke-- seems to be in season now.  Some Greek halva with pistachios for dessert.  Sun, beach, food and art, all in one day!

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