Excursion to Moni, Apiranthos and Chalki

The storm that struck the island yesterday is now a thing of the past. Today summer was back and we were able to have breakfast on the balcony again. Although it was a bit chilly, you can see in the picture below because I'm wearing a hat. Soon our breakfasts on Naxos will also be a thing of the past. Unfortunately. But it's starting to be time to think about leaving Naxos, and Greece. Nothing we are looking forward to. Our long journey is coming to an end. Nothing lasts forever, not even a long journey in Greece.

One of the last breakfasts on Naxos. The hat was too small and sat a little too tight.

Yesterday we started talking about what it will be like when we get home to Sweden again. One thing that struck us was that the Christmas decorations will be in full swing when we get home. If there's anything that feels distant, it's Christmas. Maybe there'll even be snow when we get home. Ugh, horrible thought.

Here on Naxos, the islanders say it's winter. We disagree. Sure, it's chilly in the evenings, but the days are still warm. Nature is anything but winter-like, more spring-like. It's strange, but it's greener here now than it was in the summer. Nature recovers amazingly quickly, as long as it gets a little rain.

Naxos Town seen from the road to the mountain villages of Apiranthos, Chalki and Moni.

Today we drove to some of Naxos' many beautiful mountain villages. It is precisely the mountain villages that separate Naxos and Paros. Both islands have fantastic beaches, but only Naxos has been blessed with many beautiful and genuine mountain villages, such as Apiranthos, Chalki and Moni.

We started the day by visiting the beautiful village of Moni which unfortunately not many tourists visit.

View of the Tragea Valley from the village of Moni.

When we arrived in Moni we were surprised that it was so green despite the season.

Moni is one of Naxos' many villages where time has stood still.

From Moni we continued towards Apiranthos and then we saw Donoussa in the distance.

Then we strolled around the marble village of Apiranthos.

What a difference compared to summer when Apiranthos is bustling with life.

In the very pleasant village of Chalki we admired the Gratsia Tower.

Chalki was fairly deserted this time of year. But it was just as beautiful in the alleys.

Unfortunately, Vallindras Kitron Distillery Café was closed.

When we arrived at Pension Sofi again, we talked a little about "home". How have our lives changed during the trip? We also talked about all the books we had read during the trip, rated them and discussed them. We also started planning for the rest of the trip. We decided to stay here for a few more days, then we would head to Athens. Then there were only two islands left until we were back in reality again.

The Christmas windows displays had begun in earnest in Naxos Town.

The evening's routine was not noticeably different from other evenings. We went and watched the sunset from the Portara (the sun sets at 5 pm), drank an ouzo each on the harbour esplanade, watched the calamari fishermen on the large pier and had dinner at Metaxi Mas. The only difference from other evenings was that we saw that the shops started their Christmas windows displays in earnest. It will be a green Christmas on Naxos.

The old town Kastro didn't need to be decorated because it always looks Christmassy in the evening.

We passed by one of Naxos' cheese shops and got really hungry for cheese...

...so one of the dishes we had at Metaxi Mas was cheese balls. Yummy!

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