Another side to Milos

 Friday 

It’s interesting to reflect first on what I have seen on the Western side of this island today. It’s not so built up at all, hardly any buildings, there is little sign of tourism and it’s refreshing to see that. The downside is that the electrical ( oil fired) power station is there, plus the airport, which I did not see. So to get there, I followed the horseshoe coastline from the port, all the way round, to the now infamous power station. The beach here is deserted, no sign of anything going on at all. Nearby is a lake called Achibadolimini. It’s not clear to me wether it’s freshwater or sea water. The first thing I hoped to see was a beach called Empourio.  It did not take me long to realise that the roads in general on this side of the island, especially coast roads, are very narrow and the surface can be challenging for a Fiat Panda!  So the view was in the distance.

I had in mind to visit several beaches along here, but after trying a few of those roads, I had to give up on that idea,  it is Friday the thirteenth after all. So where I was next heading to is a beach, well rock formation in the sea, which is well known called Kleftiko. If you are not brave or fit, then you would be better taking a boat trip to it! There is a loop road that goes around the South Western tip of the island and according to Google maps, there is a sign indicating where to start walking to the coast to see Kleftiko. Before then, I saw this ( of many ) interesting rock formation on the way. 

So I found the starting point, got my water and started off. But before I was able to, a couple were waving and shouting at me. They were French and wanted to confirm that this was the place to start. I confirmed so, and explained that there should be white paint and cairns ( piles of stones) to indicate the way. So I started walking with them until they were comfortable.  The path wasn’t bad, but it was heading downhill and very often there was small gravel underfoot, and you felt yourself nearly falling over. ( like scree ) But I reached Kleftiko and it was very beautiful, there were several yachts and small boats, carrying people around to let them have a look. 


I then turned around and walked back, it did not take so long, even when it was uphill, I also felt a bit safer underfoot. There were several huge boulders, just lying around, you have to wonder how did they get there, volcanic activity maybe? A little while after I rejoined the road, I spotted these strange holes in the chalk, one had a door frame in it, I assume this was used by man at some point. There was a well with water nearby.

The road back, was not difficult, you just had to be careful, the photo below shows a strange formation overhanging the road. You can see the width of the road too. There is a bit of agricultural activity going on in the valleys, I think I heard sheep or goat bells at one point. Hay has already been cut, I have seen large tomato and courgette plants. Water is probably the biggest inhibitor to growing things. 

So tomorrow I was thinking about visiting a famous cave, I think it’s like a hole in the ground, near the coast and at the bottom of the hole is the sea and beach. But I am not sure how far it is from the road, it is the same one I walked to Kleftiko from. I am also thinking, it’s my last day, I have been lucky with the car, maybe I should not chance my luck. Will see how I feel tomorrow.

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