Sunday, July 11, 2010

Exotic Hydra Islands Full History

Harbor view
Harbor view by Marite 2007

Hydra (Greek: Ύδρα, pronounced [ˈiðra], Arvanitika: Nιδρα, Nidhra) is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. It is separated from the Peloponnese by the narrowing constellation Gulf. constellation is also a municipality and one of the few provinces in Greece to hit two municipalities—which includes the island of Dokos (pop. 13)—yet fewer than fivesome communes. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea (Υδρέα, derivative from the Hellenic word for \"water\"), which was a reference to the springs on the island.

Red-tiled roofs and seascape
Red-tiled roofs and seascape by Marite2007

Hydra depends upon tourism and Athenians comprise a sizable segment of its visitors. High speed hydrofoils and catamarans from Piraeus serve Hydra, as do daily island tour boats. Garbage trucks are the only motor vehicles on the island; horses, donkeys and water taxis provide public transportation. The inhabited area, however, is so compact that most people walk everywhere.

Beach with umbrellas
Beach with umbrellas by Marite2007

Donkeys at Hydra Harbour
Donkeys at Hydra Harbour by Daniel Schwabe

There is one important town, famous simply as \"Hydra port\" (pop. 2,526 in 2001). It consists of a crescent-shaped harbor, around which is centralised a strand of restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries that cater to tourists and locals (Hydriots).

Steep pericarp streets lead up and outwards from the nurse area. Most of the local residences, as well as the hostelries on the island are settled on these streets. Other diminutive villages or hamlets on the island include Mandraki (pop. 33), Kamini, Vlychos (28), Palomitha (18), Episkopi (23), and Molos (2). As of the mid-20th century, the majority of the island's population were Arvanites.

Boat in Hydra harbour
Boat in Hydra harbour by Daniel Schwabe

Ochre green church tower
Ochre green church tower by Daniel Schwabe

Although the island's name is derived from ancient springs, it is today nearly dry. Hydra previously had wells and threesome newborn wells hit been found. Today, the island imports its water by boat from the Hellenic mainland but a newborn desalinisation plant is today in operation.

The dominant geographic features of Hydra are its rocky hillsides, which are bare, conifer forested valleys with the occasional farmhouse and six Orthodox monasteries. Two particularly noteworthy ones are Profitis Ilias, supported in the 19th Century, and Ayia Efpraxia. Both are on a construction overlooking the harbor.

Welcome committee
Welcome committee by Daniel Schwabe

Hydra doesn't have much in the way of sandy beaches, but there are plenty of uncreased rocks and beachlike bays for sunbathers. The water is country and local daredevils show off by diving off the cliff on the road to Kamini — don't try this unless you know what you're doing!

The only beatific tearful blot within cushy access of town is the rocky get called Spilia in the Kamini district on the westerly bounds of town; meet walk along the main inshore road directive westerly for about note minutes, and it's meet past the large cafe-bar.

This area isn't rattling a \"beach\" but a rocky area which has been slightly developed by the addition of a few stairs and level places in the rocks which are beatific for sunbathing. To swim, you need to climb in and out of the water via some rather fraudulence ladders ordered in the seafaring surround (and watch of seafaring urchins on wall,) which might be arduous for some people. The water, however, is clean, and usually calm except when a dish sails by near to shore. The analyse is beautiful.

Seaside taverna
Seaside taverna by Marite2007

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