Sunday Wander on Karpathos

October 22, 2023

This is what got me started today. It’s called Poseidon’s Temple, and it’s about a 25-minute walk from where I’m staying in Pigadia, Karpathos, Greece.

It was Sunday morning, and I was due for a good walk. I was still feeling the pain of my hike in Samaria Gorge on Crete last Thursday; I thought a good walk might ease the pain and stretch me out a bit.

Apparently, Poseidon’s Temple is an ancient burial site. There are two caves behind the gate, and one certainly looks like a burial chamber. There were no signs, and I stumbled upon it accidentally when I was studying Google Maps. Perhaps I will learn more when I visit the archeological museum tomorrow.

I was in the mood for a longer wander. So, I continued down the road. I thought I might go visit one of the beaches on the other side of the island. My swimsuit and towel were in my backpack just in case.

Then, around the corner, I saw this:

The village of Menetes up on the hill (mountain?). I was feeling pretty energetic, the weather was perfect, and it was only a little after 9:00 AM. I could swim back in Pigadia this afternoon.

Then I was reassured a few minutes later when I saw this sign:

I was on a designated walking route. All good.

And there was the carrot on the stick; that cute village kept getting closer and closer.

As I ascended, I could see the bay by Pigadia as well as the other side of the island.

I also snagged a ripe fig from a tree. Delicious!

The views were better and better as I approached the war memorial outside of Menetes.

View of Pigadia

There was also a small chapel (They are everywhere in Greece!) just a hundred feet from the memorial, and the door was open. I stepped in. It was cool and peaceful inside. I was thankful for the resting spot.

The cemetery between the war memorial and town:

As I walked into town, there was a little stand with local goods. I had been seeing similar stands all over Croatia and Slovenia earlier in the trip. Three people were sitting around the table. (I took the photo later.)

The owner struck up a conversation with me.

“We saw you walking up. Where are you from?”

“The United States.”

“But where?”

“Seattle.”

“Oh, Seattle, Washington. I lived in the U.S. in 1977, in Washington DC, the other Washington. Today is the last day. I will give you a good deal.”

He really wanted to sell me some wine or olive oil, but I need to think about volume and bulk. Instead, I bought some dried figs, a lime, a small jar of olives, and some mixed herbs. I would consume all but the herbs before continuing to my next destination.

We continued to chat, and he offered me some fresh grapes.

“They aren’t so good. You know, they are the last of the Mohicans.”

I thought they were pretty tasty.

He advised me to make the chapel up above town my final destination and sent me on my way.

Most of the homes can be reached only by stairs. The townspeople must all have great legs!

View of the town from the big church:

After more and more stairs, I arrived at the chapel above the town. It was also open!

And, of course, the best views of the day at about 1650 feet! This is a view of the south end of Karpathos.

It was nice to be seemingly the only tourist in town today. The walk up was peaceful, and the gentleman at the stand was the first person I had encountered besides a couple of workers on the side of the road.

The funniest things happened later on the way back, though.

As I was walking back on the main road, a taxi started honking at me. He pulled up and asked if I needed a ride.

“No thanks. I’m walking.”

“I’ll give you a ride for free!”

Okay, that was a little creepy.

Then, a few minutes later, two men driving a car with a rental company logo slowed down and asked if I needed a ride. They laughed when I told them, “No Thanks. I’m walking.”

About twenty minutes later, another taxi slowed down and asked if I needed a ride. At least he didn’t seem to mind when I refused.

I wonder if some tourists get hot and tuckered out, so they are used to picking up people on the way down. It was over nine miles round trip, after all.

I arrived back at my apartment just after 1:00 PM and enjoyed a hearty lunch on the balcony, satisfied with the day’s wandering.

And yes, I did go for a swim in the afternoon.