The tomatoes are ripening

As we get closer to July 1st, more holidayers are arriving in Aigiali. I wouldn't say it is crowded but there are more people wandering up and down the beach disturbing the village ducks who like to hunker down and nap by the stone wall. There are just two of them who sometimes do circular swimming demonstrations in the sea and can be surely found in town, near the pier, every evenings waiting for some fish dinner, I guess.

Coming from the world of covered women this is quite a contrast since the Europeans seem to make every beach a topless beach and so there are plenty of topless sun worshippers tanning out there. With the arrival of more tourists, they say "maybe next week " there will be expanded bus schedules and the little caiques to take us to other beaches and on little boat rides. I am quite excited by a bit of beach hopping, since instead of joining facebook, I have joined a virtual community of people who, like me, collect beach glass (YES there is a group for anyone who does anything on the web) (seaglasslovers.ning.com), now I can talk with like minded people about the intricacies of my fascinating hobby and even make "friends" like facebook.

Last week we rented a car to explore the island. Yvonne (driver) seemed to think the road was quite terrifying, I felt it was no worse than the road to Tofino, but she insisted the lack of shoulders, the sheer drops and the less than gradual hairpin turns made it scary! I was enjoying the many goats on and beside the road munching away and the spectacular views.

We went all the 35KM to the southern tip and passed through many little villages along the way , including Suzo, some of them in ruins. There are more churches then anything and they are all freshly painted that beautiful white, white with the regulation blue top. In the next few weeks all the churches are celebrating their particular feast days so communities are sprucing up their churches for their special days.

We visited the capital Chora, bigger than it looks once you enter the labyrinth, (we had business at the Post Office); toured the lovely little village of Vroutsi; swam at Mourou where you can swim into caves and tunnels , (not for claustrophobics). Looking down from the top of the beach path to Mourou beach the incredible clear, blue sea it seems you can see right through the swimmers below. We had lunch at a new restaurant/hotel Anemolithi Amorgos Studios with a fantastic deck view and decor (which wasn't really open but opened for us) including a tour of the rooms. The art was by a local photographer Maik Efthimios, who has taken some excellent shots all around Amorgos.

It was a great day but we were both (especially Yvonne) glad to arrive home to what we concluded was the best spot on the island. So, the tomatoes are ripening, we have neighbours in our little maisonette, we are getting browner and all is well.

What we are reading:

R2: The Flea Palace - Elif Shafak

Birds Without Wings - Louis de Bernieres

YP: April Fool's Day- Josip Novakovich(not recommended)

Netherland- Joseph O'Neill(very charming)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo-Steg Larsson (never been fond of the mystery but found this charming)

The Haunting of Hip Hip-Bertrice Berry(cute, moralistic tale)