After three hours on a giant ferry from Piraeus, Athens, we rushed onto the Greek island of Paros with hundreds of other people in complete darkness.
Although the sun was sleeping, no one else seemed to be. Parikia, the main town, was buzzing. Restaurants lined the port, with Greek music and laughter echoing from each one.
To escape the crowds, we left Parikia by bus and found ourselves in Piso Livadi on the east coast. With a handful of restaurants, shops and our accommodation leading straight to the beach, we were in paradise."Kaliméra", we would happily hear as we walked around the town. The local people were friendly and always willing to help.
They spoke very little English and we spoke even less Greek, but even so, the approachable taxi drivers always managed to make us laugh.Each cathedral exuded history so vivid, you wondered whether it was fiction.
Curious about the tradition of leaving squids out to dry, we had to taste them too. Hesitant at first, we looked at the tentacles and wondered if it would be rude to refuse. Hungry and excited, we took a bite and then could not stop. It was absolutely delicious.
Every meal was something to remember. Fresh fish and vegetables were a popular choice, attracting all the cats on the island, of which there were many.Pretty, little cats watch you from a distance, wondering if you'd be willing to share. Lowering your hand to the ground was the signal. Within a second, the cat would be there, purring and grateful for the offering.There is something more decadent about Greek yoghurt in Greece. It's so thick and creamy, one could easily mistake it for ice cream. My husband drizzled it with chocolate sauce and ate it as a "breakfast dessert".
Oh, and everything is covered in huge chunks of feta. I was not complaining.
The sea was warm at any time of the day and with temperatures exceeding 35°C, the beach was the only place to be. Molos is one of the most peaceful beaches we have ever come across.
The water was a beautiful turquoise and crystal clear. I often stopped to look down, waving my hands underneath the surface, amazed by its clarity.Another short trip took us up to Naoussa, on the northern side of the island. Once a small fishing village, it has evolved into a busy, festive area, filled with tourists and a feeling of collective happiness.
At 10pm, with temperatures still threatening to melt the clothes off our skins, we walked around the town, feeling entirely safe. At the harbour, we found a rooftop restaurant serving delicious pizzas.
We chose it because it overlooked the sea, lit up by boats and the hustle and bustle of other tourists and locals mingling, eating, dancing, making sales and making memories.
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