Bob's Paleochora Christmas Quiz 2015

Despite all the opportunities to ‘Explore’ further afield, many visitors to Paleochora, especially during the hot summer months, venture no further than our beaches. And who can blame them. The enticing Libyan Sea, close to a sunbed under a shady parasol with a good book, nearby cafenia and tavernas – what else would you need? And there are so many beaches to choose from, some only a short walk away, others easily reached by cycle, car, or a ferry journey.

Not being able to relax on a beach for long, many of my visits to those nearby have been by kayak. West from Pachia Ammos (or “sandy” beach) are Kalamia, Psilos Volakas, little-known Trochalou, Karavopetra and the two Plakaki beaches, then Azzurro before the popular Grameno peninsula. The road ends near Krios, but the E4 path continues over to Viena, two unfrequented beaches below Agios Ioannis, then Kedrodasos (cedar) beach before reaching Elafonisi lagoons.

East from Paleochora is Chalikia, or “stony” beach, a usually deserted shingle strand below the Camping, then Keratides and numerous often empty stretches of coastline before the three beaches at Ianiskari. The walk to Sougia passes tiny Thunder Cove before the climb over and down to Lissos.

The “Samaria” ferry will carry kayaks to Sougia, Agia Roumeli and Loutro, and journies along the coast using this service have visited the more remote Domata and Agios Pavlos beaches, often for an overnight camp.

For this year’s puzzle, all you have to do is match the ten photographs to ten beaches. For example, if you think that Domata beach is Photo C (and it’s not), write “C” in the field next to for Domata beach on the entry form.

In keeping with the current Greek economic situation, the Prize Voucher for the winner has been reduced to 5 Euros. It’s still enough to exchange in “To Delfini” bookshop for several postcards & stamps to send to friends, telling them what a marvelous place Paleochora is ….