The charming city and island of Symi

Knotty Girl
Tanya/Roberto
Thu 12 May 2022 17:05
36:33.1N 27:50.8E After a nice, slower crossing than we are used to - given that the wind was from behind we decided to put the sails (genoa & main) in scissors for most of the crossing and it worked perfectly well - we arrived on Symi island. We first did the “touristic - photo taking” tour of its main harbour (which we decided not to go into as we feared it might be too noisy and apparently they charge a lot for Greek standards) in Symi town which, with its colourful houses and buildings and particularly architecture do not let you (at least us) indifferent. We then motored to the next bay in the very beautiful fisherman’s bay and port of “Pedi” to moor alongside the quay (the privilege of being early in the season). Shortly after we arrived we learnt that a local bus was leaving soon to go into the main town of Symi - so we took it. We wandered in this very special place - quite touristic though, but as soon as you go away from the main quays along the harbour and up it becomes more authentic and in particular up to the “old” Symi - a 20 minutes steeeeeep walk up before re-descending to Pedi harbour. The next day, we motored (booooo !) to Panormitis bay - a very well protected bay (the entrance is so narrow that once you are inside you feel you are in a lake !) in the South of the Island of Symi. Upon arriving in the narrow entrance you see the huge monastery of Taxiarchis Mikalos Panormitis. This monastery dates back to the 15th century and is dedicated to the archangel Micael, the patron saint of seafarers and a popular place of pilgrimage for Greek sailors. Unfortunately the two museums that are inside were closed when we went ashore. Yet, the small chapel was open and they were preparing it for a baptism - then we saw the child who was going to be baptised and the guests arrive. Very typical ! We also walked on two little paths on both side of the bay and saw a lot of goats - some of them were they are not supposed to be…. :) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |