Around Thassos

Thassos is located in the north Aegean, right next to the three fingers (or peninsula's) of the Khersonisos Khalkidhiki, home of the mysterious Mt Athos and thousand year old monasteries. Again, we're anchored in the main port, side on as there is little cruising traffic this early in the season.

Pavlov, alongside in Thassos

Fishing trawler in port

Both Megan and I love these small Greek ports. This one is great as its used only by commercial fishermen and the occasional visiting yachts person. The ferries,which create a disturbing amount of wash and are just huge and intimidating, are operating off a ramp outside the port. So the port is a quiet and peaceful environment.

Peaceful port at night

Ferry docking outside the port

Again, we've hired a scooter to explore the island. After pushing the tiny 50cc scooter up the steep hills on Samothraki, we've opted for a larger 150cc scooter, which turned out to be an excellent idea, as we travelled over 150km around the island.

Megan, intrepid biker...

... and photographer

Thassos is a lush and densely forested island by Greek standards. We enjoyed the steep mountains clad in fragrant pine forests. The early summer heat atomised all the herbaceous plants, and as we rode, we inhaled great lungfuls of sage and thyme scent; it was heady stuff. It made me recall slashing my paddocks in Limeburner's creek that were full of tea tree plants. In full summer, the heady scent was enough to get you high!

Pine forests plunging into the Mediterranean

Ancient amphitheatre being refurbished in Thassos port.

First stop was a delightful double beach at Aliki. We toured the ruins here, but when Megan smelled the grilling octopus, basted in garlic and oregano, we had to stop here for lunch as well. The taverna was unbelievably photogenic, looking right over a pristine beach with turquoise water.

Picturesque beach at Aliki. The taverna here claimed us through olfactory kidnapping.

Hellenic ruins from 300 BC

Even the ancients understood location, location, location.

Aerial view of the site

Above the Hellenic site, there was an early Christian church from Byzantine times.

Early Byzantine church

Interestingly different fluted column

Reconstructed column

Megan in situ

A Roman saccophagus

And then to lunch!

View from our lunch time taverna

Another view from the taverna

Spring is the time that wildflowers bloom on the islands, before the land becomes parched under the relentless Mediterranean sun. It does not rain at all in summer, so everything becomes brown and brittle. But for now, there are wildflowers everywhere.

Flander's poppy ...

... by the thousands

Herbacious wildflowers

The main attraction of Thassos is its beaches, which are some of the most scenic and attractive beaches in the Med.

Rocky headland

Crystal clear turquoise waters

Beach resort flanked my mountains. 

Less populous beach

Megan surveying a local bay

Pristine environment

Yet another gorgeous beach

The sunsets have been breathtakingly beautiful at the moment.

Sunset off Thassos

The local towns aren't so exciting, and lack some of the charm of similar villages on other islands.

Southern town of Potos on Thassos

We also rode into the interior of the island, to the town of Theologos, which was originally settled by Egyptians. Now, it has a Macedonian style of architecture, with stone featuring prominently, particularly in the slate roofs.

Garden from balcony of taverna in Theologos

 Circumnavigating the island, we had stunning views from the seat of the bike. In this shot, you can just see Mount Athos, towering over 2000 meters above sea level. We plan to sail around this amazing mountain, home to many ancient monasteries, that are still operating as they did in mediaeval times. Women, or people who are not bearded (i.e. children) are not permitted on the island, and visiting requires a permit which is difficult to obtain, so our trip there will be a sail-by only.

Mt Athos in the distance

So go tell it on the mountain! See you there.