Paros

Paros is another Cycladian island, which has a very beautiful village called Lefke. We tried to get away from the tourists by staying in this town, because it is more towards the centre of the island and so is a little less frequented.

We got into Parikia, the capital, at a little after 11.30 pm. You might be able to imagine the trouble that this caused. We had to get our hire car, and another taxi, and then we had to drive to Lefke in the dark. Greek drivers are quite interesting and there are lots of signs on the side of the road which say things like "I love life, I drive safely". Contrary to this sign, it seems very few Greek people love life. The island roads consist of very steep hills with too narrow roads winding around them. I tried a bit of driving myself, and I was scared.

Lefke's village was really nice, there was a pool, and the usual white wall blue door architecture that you see almost everywhere in the islands. Perhaps it's mandated by the local government or something. It does make it rather difficult to see for all the glare when the sun is high in the sky.

We wandered around the village a bit. It was said to be the most beautiful on the island and I had to agree. There was an amazing old church which chimed out the half and the hour. You could hear it from the hotel and it was a good way, I suppose, for the people to be reminded of god. Again the streets were a maze, and exceedingly uphill. Even taking the same route to a place and back from it there was still more uphill than was strictly warranted. It could have something to do with having the baby strapped to my front. Actually we've taken to weighing the baby and the baby's backpack and then fighting amongst ourselves as to who was to carry which. Of course the benefits of carrying the baby include every woman stopping and talking to me and her.

We went to the seaside at night and found a carnival atmosphere in the twist of shops, restaurants and people. Octopi were hung out on strings above diners. A sequinned man was juggling and balancing three soccer balls on each other. Children were playing on the swings and older people sat around staring inscrutably at anyone with a baby strapped to them.

More cats too.