Exploring Tyros Village – and Christos Anesti!

Whilst on my travels I’ve realised that it is important to know when to give up on trying to “blog on the go” and actually enjoying the experience.  It really does take a lot of effort capturing your thoughts and feelings on some kind of digital medium and not to mention downloading and sorting through the photo’s.

This was our first experience of observing the Easter festivities in Greece and had researched where to go very carefully and I didn’t want to miss a minute of it.  Although this is 3 years after the event I can still remember quite a lot about the trip.  The photographs themselves gives a chronological outline of everything we saw and experienced – but not all of the nuanced thoughts and emotions.  With that in mind, I’ve decided to just create a photo gallery with a few short notes for the rest of this trip.

Breakfast Greek style on the Balcony of the Paraskevas Hotel, Tyros

A stroll along the 2 kilometres stretch of bay.  The houses and gardens are decorated with Easter eggs, lanterns and candle holders made from oranges of which are in absolute abundance in the many orange groves surrounding the village.  Effigies of Judas lay in wait for their comeuppance later!

At the end of the bay we can see a windmill and take the opportunity to get better views of it by walking on the road that takes you up away from the bay.

Spring is my favourite time to be in Greece and apart from the perfect temperatures and the fact that is usually less busy, it’s the wild spring flowers that makes this such a special time.

As the sun began to set, we could hear explosions reverberating between the mountains above us.  The ‘bombs’ had already begun to be set off in the mountain villages.  The restaurants began to prepare their tables with eggs dyed red – tonight it going to be a busy night in the restaurants.

At 11pm people had begun to gather outside one of the two churches.  We opted for church of Metamorphosis Sotiris.  At midnight the celebrations began.  The light – a large torch was carried from the church and along the street to one of the waiting boats.  A large crowd gathered at the harbours edge with candles and lanterns – the latter of which were later launched into the sea.

Judas was floating out at sea on a pontoon that was later set alight and formed a central point of focus for the spectacular firework display.

I’ve never mastered night photography so apologies for the blurry nature of the images.

The following day was a rather lazy one.  After breakfast on the balcony again, we just took a lazy amble over to Tigani Beach.  Families were holding barbecues in their gardens or on the beach and the smell of roasted lamb filled the air.  Wood and paper lanterns bobbed up and down in clusters out at sea.

Later that evening we were told that there would be a festival by the Church of Agia Marina and we would be most welcome.  It was wonderful to see the people of Tyros in their traditional costumes which were quite beautiful.  Several lambs were roasted on a spit and ladies walked through the crowds with baskets of bread and Easter biscuits that were shared with everyone.  Towards the end of the evening everyone got up to dance.

Our last full day in Tyros we decided to walk to the villages above the harbour.  We had been told there is a very good restaurant up there!  First we amble along the harbour front where the debris from the night before had been collected.  The pontoon where Judas met his fate lay charred and empty.

The road climbs gradually, taking us past orange and lemon groves where the scent of blossom lays heavily in the air.  Further we climb, passing flower filled meadows, ancient olive groves, tumble down cottages and other quiet hiding places for the wildlife.  The views are more impressive the higher we climb.

We reach the small village with its pretty stone houses and shortly after reach Taverna To Konatsi which had been recommended to us.  With views down to the bay it is the perfect setting for an afternoon lunch.

We heave ourselves out of the restaurant and take another route back to the harbour.

Later that evening we are treated to a spectacular sunset followed by a thunder storm out on the horizon.

Tomorrow we catch the bus to Nafplio.

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6 Comments

  1. I love these blogs. I feel I am on your journey with you. Thank you for a little Greek fix. Given that we missed out on our 3 weeks in Kos in June, I really appreciated it. Efcharisto.

    1. You are so very welcome Ann. I’ve just received my voucher for my cancellation with Easyjet so hopefully I can plan the next trip that I promised my granddaughter for next year! Keep well and safe! xxx

  2. What a great memory Steph! I loved reading it even if it did make me a little sad and nostalgic. The longer this blessed pandemic goes on (and we are having a nasty outbreak in Victoria) the more I wonder if I will ever get back to Greece. Qantas now says it is unlikely to have international flights before the middle of next year… yikes. Tyros looks like a wonderful town, so much of the Peloponnese we still have to explore.

    1. Aww thanks Kathy. It’s not easy trying to rack my brains from over 3 years ago but it was a really special trip. Yes the Peloponnese has so much to offer and hopefully I can show how it can all be done by bus for people like me who don’t like to drive (or only when forced!). Lets keep hopeful for next year. Stay well and safe. xxx

  3. Thanks for this blog ..we were meant to be in Greece for Easter this year and again in September which we’ve cancelled. I hope we all get to visit again next year and can read about your travels again! I used to love your posts when island hopping and have noted a few must visit places we’ve not visited. Thanks again and take care

    1. Thank you so much Ros. It is heartbreaking having to cancel holidays to Greece but I absolutely understand the reasons why. I’m currently on holiday in a caravan in North Wales with four of my grandchildren which is fabulous! Not exactly the same weather as Greece though! 🙂 Take care and stay safe. xxx

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