First full day on Naxos started with a cup of Greek coffee and homemade cookies with our B&B hosts Deena and Eddie, both Greek emigrees to Canada who now live here most of the year. Their stories of the Italian and German occupations of Greece in WWII were fascinating and powerful. I encouraged them to write them down or record them, as Deena is in her 80s and Eddie is 90. They are wonderful hosts.
We walked into town and did some general exploring before entering the mesmerizing Old Town area—a maze of hilly labyrinthine alleys that feel more like caverns than streets. Old Town is filled with shops and restaurants, but they are much different than the shops we encountered in Thira and Oia on Santorini. Most featured Greek made products—beautiful cottons (clothing, scarves, weaving), ceramics, jewelry, food products, and such—and while they certainly reached out to tourists, they were more laid back and far less expensive than the Santorini shops. Whereas on Santorini I sometimes felt assaulted by shopkeepers, here I’ve felt welcomed.
After we finished phase one of exploring Old Town (we’re going back), we rented a car and drove down the west coast of Naxos which is lined with beautiful beaches and quaint beach towns. We had a fine lunch at Taverna Gorgona on the beach at Agia Anna. We drove the entire length of the island from Naxos to Kastraki, stopping at various spots for walking, taking photos, and watching kite surfers, which is quite popular here.
Here are some photos from the day.
Here are some images from Old Town Naxos, in no particular order.
