Just when you think you’ve mapped out all the surprises Paros has to offer, the island winks and tosses a few more gems your way. Really, how different can another beach or town be? Spoiler: quite a bit.
The day kicked off at 6:12 AM, thanks to some chirping birds and our white noise machine dueling it out. Vanya wasn’t feeling her best, so Nidhi and I ventured to the breakfast buffet alone, where scrambled eggs, olives, cherry tomatoes, and an array of local delicacies awaited. The veggies here have a certain je ne sais quoi—could it be the absence of GMOs? Or maybe it’s just Greek magic.
Figure 1: Driving Around A Stylish Red Suzuki in Paros!
With a full day ahead, I felt the urge for some vehicular independence and snagged us a red Suzuki—my first time behind the wheel of anything so flamboyantly hued! The car rental gods were smiling down on me, and thankfully, it was automatic.
Fully equipped with our flashy wheels, we took off for a glamorous photo shoot around the old town. Vanya, in a fetching dress, and Nidhi, ever the epitome of style, made every corner of the town look like a backdrop from a fashion magazine.
Santa Maria Beach
Figure 2: Caressing waves of Santa Maria Beach, Paros!
Next, we hit Santa Maria Beach, where the waves don’t so much crash as they do lovingly caress the golden sands. It’s like the ocean got a memo to only whisper sweet nothings to the shore.
Figure 3: Amazing Santa Maria Beach, Paros!
Kolymbithres Beach
From there, it was on to Kolymbithres Beach, a strange rocky paradise with sandy coves nestled between ancient granite formations. The water was crystal clear, the crowds thin, and the vibe utterly tranquil—a rustic retreat from the usual beach bustle.
Figure 4: Chilling out on the Kolymbithres beach, Paros!
Lunch at Marpissa Town
Our stomachs led us to Marpissa, where pita gyro sandwiches reign supreme—and at €8.80 for lunch for two, who’s complaining? We skipped the hilltop church (still haunted by the Kia misadventure), opting instead to ground ourselves with some hearty street food.
Figure 5: Pita Gyro Sandwiches with everything, Marpissa, Paros.
Oh Lefkes, Where Art Thou?
From Marpissa, we set off for Lefkes, a town nestled in the mountains of Paros. We ascended, our trust placed firmly in the GPS, but soon found ourselves on a one-way road with no room to turn back. My panic started to set in. As the road narrowed even further, it became clear we needed to reverse course. Nidhi hopped out and directed me as I carefully backed the Suzuki down the precarious one-way, with a sheer drop taunting us from the side. By some miracle, we managed to turn around without incident.
As we retreated down the mountain, I realized our trusty GPS had been leading us to Lefkes Church instead of the town center. At last, we came to a fork in the road that set us on the right path.
Figure 6: Tasty and Indulgent Baklava Ice Cream, Lefkes, Paros!
Once safely in Lefkes town, we rewarded ourselves with baklava ice cream, a treat so sublime it surely deserves to be declared a national treasure.
Figure 7: Sites Along The Byzantine Road, Lefkes
Our adventurous spirit led us further to wander along the ancient Byzantine Road in the town, a historic pathway that offered us a tangible connection to the travelers who had traversed it centuries before.
Figure 8: Exploring the Agia Triada In Lefkes!
We also explored the picturesque Agia Triada, a soaring church with an adjoining graveyard.
This scenic route through history was as breathtaking as it was inspiring, wrapping our day in a blend of natural beauty and time-honored tradition.
Prodromos - Gardens
Prodromos tempted us with its floral gardens, a serene escape that proved perfect for digesting the day’s indulgences.
Figure 9: Floral Garden Courtyard in Prodmoros, Paros!
Superjet To Milos
As the day drew to a close, we prepared for our next island hop to Milos. Our ship, the Superjet, was fashionably late—tracked via https://myshiptracking.com. Instead of the scheduled 5:50 PM, it sauntered into Paros port around 7:40 PM. We reached Milos by 10 PM, ready for whatever this new island had to throw at us.
So there you have it—another whirlwind day packed with discoveries, fashion-forward transportation, and culinary delights. Paros, you’ve been a delight!