Hi Everyone,

 

We left the Island of Sifnos and motored 22 N miles in light winds to the Island of Milos where we went stern to the quay dock in Adamas, the main town.

The waterfront is lively by day and night with mainly Greek tourists mingling with other nationalities.  The quay gives good protection in the predominant NW winds.

 

The island of Milos is in fact a large crater formed by a massive explosion/ volcanic eruption. Today it is hard to imagine the strength of the explosion which blew away the mountain leaving a three and half mile wide area, now a sea filled bay . The British Naval fleet used the huge natural harbour as a protected anchorage in the First World war.

Today there is an area off the cliffs at Mavra Gkremna where the water reaches the temperature of 100 degrees C at only 30cm below the surface----wont be swimming there !!!!

Not surprisingly the island’s historic fortunes have been made through the mining of minerals and today it is the number one EU producer of Bentonite and Perlite.

 

Milos has a sad stain on its history. In the 4th century BC, during the Peloponnese wars, the islanders sided with the Spartans, outraging the Athenians. In 416 BC, after a siege the islanders surrendered unconditionally to the Athenians who then massacred all the adult males and enslaved the women and children.

Through the ages and during Turkish rule, the island was a haunt for pirates who laundered there ‘booty’ through the wealthy merchants and shipping community.

 

Milos is famous for the discovery of the iconic statue the Venus de ‘Milo’, which was found by a farmer in 1820.  The statue was formed from ‘Paros’ Marble.  It is reported that Venus lost her arms during a possession feud between the French consul and the Sultans governor--- she is now in the Louvre, Paris---- so where are her arms ???

 

Today Milos is a lively tourist island with great beaches and a lively vibe, great atmosphere in the port,  but we didn't find the interior of the island as beautiful as some of the other Cyclade islands. It is a little less groomed and more industrial—although low key industry.

 

After a day in Milos the forecast showed the wind would change to a 20 knot plus south easterly, and we were told the quay would become quite dangerous, so we and everyone else except a French boat left to find safe anchorages. We found a great one for day and overnight, a calm little bay in the huge volcanic inner waters and returned to the quay the next day.

We didn’t know that the retired French couple hadn’t looked at the forecast and had gone off to Santorini by ferry for the day. We watched their boat with binoculars, bouncing in the swell, thinking they were ‘braving it out’.  The couple told us that the port police had saved the boat by protecting the stern from being smashed on to the dock, -----they were very chilled about it. !!

 

Back on the quay, we hired a scooter to tour some of the Island and visited Sarakiniko, a most unusual place with an almost moon-scape landscape of white stone. There is an area to swim amongst the rocks---a strange place---see photos.

 

We enjoyed Milos, especially the lively port , but we have preferred the smaller Cyclade islands ------ great gyros though ( chicken, tzatziki, chips and salad in a pitta bread----2 euros—mmmh!!, 

 

Photos of.........

The bay once  ‘volcano’ –the photos don't convey the size of it.

Adamas port/ Plaka village Chora

Sarakiniko rock formations.

 

Love to all

 

Tina and Tony x x