Episode 4: Hydra Island Greece Things to Do
chapter 5 tips 25 through 33 tip 25 go scuba diving anus and AAS will take you on their private boat for a unique diving experience in Hydra please note that solo scuba diving is not allowed because of the many underwater Antiquities some Maritime areas around Hydra are protected anus and AA office can be found behind the shop called Zoe facing the harbor the third street from the right you can contact them before arriving on the island to book an appointment or ask your hotel conge to arrange one tip 26 Sunset Cruise Greece is a good place to look at the Moon isn’t it the poem days of kindness by Leonard Cohen inspired a few hydrol locals to launch a Sunset Cruise on a small motorboat the boat accommodates no more than 15 passengers for a refreshing ride along the coast of the island while admiring the sunset you can also try some of this familyowned business’s cocktails it will offer you a night of fun that you will remember long after you return home tip 27 feel the nostalgic atmosphere Hydra was famous in the 1970s with the likes of Onasis the kennedies Elizabeth Taylor and Molina mercuri visiting the island even the Beatles visited during the summer months although the old lodera where they would meet has long since closed the locals still talk about it the building itself was renovated in 20110 opening under the name of os it still gathers Greek Maritime tycoons today during festivals and other celebrations such as to Mark the victory of Admiral mulus over the Turkish invader and at Easter the nostalgic atmosphere is everywhere with Elders telling you Tales of sopia Lauren who lived on Hydra for 6 months in 1956 while filming the movie the boy and the dolphin it is still famous today among present day Leonard Cohen fans who walk up the steps of donkey blank land Lane to find the house he bought on Hydra in the 1960s tip 28 Orthodox Easter in hyra Easter is the most important religious celebration in Greece and on Hydra it takes a wonderful form during the week preceding Easter Sunday relatives of locals start arriving from far away including from the states Canada and England families gather during the week to prepare the traditional ingredients such as rent tinted eggs and to light candles and to attend and church services each night on Easter Friday several processions take place the most famous in kamini Harbor where local men carry the epio into the sea huge crowds travel to Hydra to witness this local tradition finally on Easter Saturday night the sacred Light reaches Hydra by sea taxi direct from Jerusalem by way of the Athens airport it is transported to the main Church where priests declare Christos anesty Christ is reborn following this announcement the crowds rejoice and enjoy late night dinners in local taverns at which the traditional Easter soup made with liver and herbs is served Easter Sunday is a celebration all over the island with every house having a barbecue or roast with dancing music and family gatherings finally on Easter Monday the celebrations come to an end on Easter Sunday with the burning of Judah and fireworks tip 29 Independence Day in Hydra on March 25th each year school children and navy police parade in every town in Greece to celebrate Greek’s Independence and its victory during the Turkish invasion of 1821 this is a major event everywhere in Greece but particularly on the islands including Hydra where locals gather on this occasion to see the village children wearing traditional costumes the best student is the one holding the Greek flag at the front of the parade sometimes a military ship comes to shore with the ship’s military band playing the Greek national anthem if you’re visiting Hydra on March 25th you will hear the Cannons fired at 8:00 a.m. in the morning followed by church bells at 11:00 a.m. the parade comes to life tip 30 mulus Festival another major event on hyra is the mulus festival which takes place annually on the last weekend of June it also commemorates the war for independence from turkey and the Victory of Admiral meus over the Turkish navy in 1821 the show starts on Saturday evening and is best viewed from spilia it’s a naval reenactment of the battle with replica ships and fireworks a musical concert follows many dances and concerts take place during the whole week it’s a wonderful time of the year to visit Hydra as temperatures are still bearable and the crowds are mostly Greek tip 31 Carnival season in Hydra as winter comes to an end Carnival season is the first major Gathering of the year on Hydra locals prepare their costumes long in advance the parade begins in the buta Square on the Sunday before clean Monday the parade is a mix of Youth and Elders tourists and Greek visitors from Athens it goes up Donkey blank land Lane to kamini Harbor and finishes on the harbor side the mayor’s office usually organizes a musical concert with laiki or Village type singer dancing continues long into the night it’s a fun time to be on the island as there are few tourists and you will have more chances to experience the real way of life on Hydra following Carnival day is clean Monday on this day it is a tradition to eat specific foods such as olives haliva paste and smoked fish and to go to Vos Island to fly kites tip 32 zoraa Monastery celebrations panagia zor is a Monas located on one end of the island which is accessed by SE taxi and 645 steps or by following an equestrian Trail for a few hours every year locals gather the evening prior to its name day or during the early morning on September 8th they cook and spend the day together at the monastery you’re welcome to assist if you’re on the island you can either board one of the shuttle boats going there on this occasion or book a private sea taxi to take you there and bring you back tip 33 climb to the top of Mount Aros one of the most popular hikes on Hydra is to go up to Prophet ilas Monastery and continue on to the top of Mount Aeros the highest point on the island panoramic views await all who make the Trek if you’re not fit enough to walk up you can also decide to travel by horseback with your own personal guide one well-known guide is Harriet British born and Hydra educated Harriet speaks both English and Greek and she has received hundreds of accolades for her guided horseback tours other horse owners can also arrange trips to the top and you may be able to negotiate a group rate for a group of six or more some tourists enjoy the sunset from Mount Aros but Sunrise is also a favorite should you decide to go by foot you can find detailed GPS maps at the local newspaper agency end of chapter 5 and of tips 25 through 33
This has been GREATER THAN A TOURIST- HYDRA ISLAND ATTICA GREECE: 50 Travel Tips from a Local Written By Caroline Walter, Greater Than a Tourist Narrated By Joanne Turner Copyright 2023 By CZYK Publishing Production copyright By CZYK Publishing
https://amzn.to/3LRw0Ed