Apr-2015
Welcome to the island: Karpathos
Apella – the prettiest beach of Karpathos!
A pit stop in Rhodes and an early morning flight brings me to its neighbor island. I’m going to spend the next 6 months at this new destination. A place and actually a country I’ve never been before. Ever heard of the Greek island Karpathos? It’s located in Dhodhekanisos – a group of islands in the southeast Aegean Sea. You could pretty much say that I am immigrating to this Greek piece of heaven for at least half a year and it’s thanks to my job as a guide. The impressive rough beaches, the blue and white houses everywhere, oh my god the food(!), the new language and culture. It’s all pretty much appealing to me. Even while I’ve never ever been to Greece, I know I’ll have a good time.
What a view!
Looking through my window…
Hello! I mean, yàsu!
It’s my second day and I’ve already had many encounters with way-too-good food at Pigadia, also known as the city of Karpathos. Pigadia is a place where you shouldn’t be able to get lost. Somehow my orientation still lets me down and I need to start walking and driving around by myself to understand this little Greek maze – it might also be because of those mysterious Greek signs… While I try to discover where I am right now in town, so that I can come back for a Greek snack or two, I get the news that I’m going to get an introduction to another city. Olympos! An impressive ancient city of Karpathos.
Gazing through the streets of Olympos
The city of women
Olympos is a city that was built around 800 a.C. and it is also known as the city of women. It used to be the place where the local ladies waited for their fishermen to return home and while the men where at sea these ladies controlled the entire city. Its location is about 300 meters high up in the mountains and it has some old broken down windmills that made it seem like there’s a fort that would keep the pirates away.
Olympos from a distance
A lady from Olympos baking bread
The streets of Olympos are lovely to walk through and it gives a certain feeling of peace. Perhaps it’s because it’s quite old, but it surely has to do with the narrow streets and the cute little houses. Most houses are painted blue and white after the Greek colors, but there are also plenty of yellow colors to be found, which is the typical color of a house on Karpathos.
From a distance I can also spot some windmills. I also notice some old windmills of which only the base of the tower is left up the hill.
Some old windmills up the hill
The village is more picturesque than you’d think when you look at it from a distance. The streets are colorful and the buildings have many details you can discover while walking around. There are no cars allowed inside the village, so the tranquil feeling I have stays that way.
I already know I will be coming back to Olympos a lot to guide the tour and I must say I quite enjoy that future. It’s an amazing place of which I’m sure most of us have never been.
The Maria church in Olympos
Interesting how the peacocks at the balcony must refer to the Greek Orthodox Church (normally a symbol with eagles like in the back of the picture)
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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[…] is a place that pulled my attention and I am looking forward to discovering more about it. Read more here about my first impression of Karpathos and […]
[…] travel dreams at the age of 17. Since then I have always been exploring new places,. Currently I am staying in Karpathos, a Greek Dhodhekanisos island, for a bit more than 6 […]