Thursday, March 17, 2011

Exploring the unique east aegean island of Samos


Siga, siga ....., slowly, slowly ..., take your time! Slowly enter into the amazing sphere and atmosphere of Samos. My 2011 sort of panoramic photo-presentation of the unique east aegean island of Samos is 26 minutes long.

Most of the photos presented I took in the year 2010.



The music accompanying this presentation I recorded in the village of Leka on the evening of July 16th, 2010. Put on your earphones and dive into the panigyri-like atmosphere, captured when one of the best groups of Samos was playing there on the village square during an event organized by the voluntary fire brigade. I had met these musicians before on other occasions, e.g. in August 2008 in Kallithea (panigyri) and Kastaneá (charity event).

Musicians:
Mavrikis, Kyriakos: main vocals, guitar, bouzouki
Liapis, Giorgos: laouto, bouzouki, vocals
Sarantou, Vasilis: violin, vocals
Mytilinos, Giannis: keyboards, vocals

Giorgos Liapis channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LIAPSAPAN

Samos is a unique island, this green emerald in the blue aegean sea (greek & green!) is located just a few kilometers away from the coast of Asia Minor. It is loaded with natural beauties and archeological sites and - in contrast to many other greek islands - Samos is gifted with large water reservoirs, partly due to forests and high mountains.
In addition, Samos is famous e.g. for its wines and the mathematician/philosopher Pythagoras, who was born on Samos and lived there for many years.

Many different kinds of landscapes can be experienced on this island, e.g. large forests, deep valleys and canyons, herbs with incredible smells, unbelievable fresh and crystal clear water springs, brooks, cascades and even small waterfalls.
High mountains reaching up to 1150 meters (Karvounis, Ambelos) and 1443 meters (Vigla, Kerkis). With caves and ancient quarries.

Lots of beautiful beaches all around the island. Mostly with small pebbles, but some of them, especially in the south, are fine sanded, named psili ammos.

And many small villages, not only along the coast line. The more you get away from the coast, the more you will find the natural and rural life on Samos. Don't forget to visit one of the many panigiria during the summer season, the celebrations of the patron saints of the respective churches or chapels. The worldly part of a panigyri will not start before 10 pm, usually on the evening before the celebration day of the church patron saint. Dancing begins about midnight and will last into the early morning hours!

Besides the red, white and rosé Samos wines and the local Ouzo, try the Souma of Samos (in other places in Greece this spirit - containing about 40 % alcohol - is called Tsipouro!)

No comments: