"Believe" - Ad Vanderveen's song inspired by Samos island

"Believe"

A song by singer/songwriter Ad Vanderveen from The Netherlands.  It's about his feelings of the timelessness of the landscapes found and experienced on Samos and the thought, that the old philosophers, writers and astronomers, the wise men of Samos, saw these same landscapes more than two thousand years ago too.

"Written on the island of Samos, Greece, thinking of the wise men who once lived there and devoted their lives to first-hand knowledge and proof of things we may believe, and build on in daily life today" (liner notes by Ad Vanderveen).

Here is the video for the song:

Song taken from his album "BEAT THE RECORD", released in March 2014.

Why not learn a bit about some of the wise men who were born on the island of Samos in ancient greek times? E.g.:

-> Aristarchus

-> Epicurus
-> Pythagoras

Samian Dreamscapes: landscapes in the southernmost part of Samos

What about those remote areas in the southern tip of the island of Samos in Greece? A hot and dry region in summer and autumn, which most tourists on Samos will not visit due to bad accessability only via dusty dirt roads. And an inclined world full of steep slopes below the mountain range of Bournias and the village of Spatharei.

Small settlements along the coast, up to 780 meters below the top of the mountain. Breathtaking views on land- and seascapes along the southern coast of Samos towards Mount Kerkis, and out on the aegean sea with the nearby islet of Samiopoula and further islands like Agathonisi, Arki, Lipsi, Patmos, Fourni and Ikaria in the far distance.

As an "appetizer", here is a short photo presentation with a couple of my impressions from adventurous journeys on a motorscooter through these landscapes on the southern and southwest slopes of Mount Bournias, mainly between Tsopela bay and the hamlet Kalogera. 

Τι γίνεται με αυτές τις απομακρυσμένες περιοχές, στο νότιο άκρο του νησιού της Σάμου στην Ελλάδα; Ένα ζεστό και ξηρό περιοχή το καλοκαίρι και το φθινόπωρο, που οι περισσότεροι τουρίστες στη Σάμο δεν θα επισκεφθεί οφείλεται σε κακή προσβασιμότητα μόνο μέσω σκονισμένο χωματόδρομους. Και μια κλίση κόσμο γεμάτο από απότομες πλαγιές κάτω από την οροσειρά του Μπουρνιά και το χωριό Σπαθαραίοι.

Μικρούς οικισμούς κατά μήκος της ακτής, μέχρι 780 μέτρα κάτω από την κορυφή του βουνού. Εκπληκτική θέα στη γη και τα θαλάσσια τοπία κατά μήκος της νότιας ακτής της Σάμου προς το όρος Κέρκης, και έξω στο Αιγαίο με το κοντινό νησάκι Σαμιοπούλα και την περαιτέρω νησιά όπως το Αγαθονήσι, Αρκοί, Λειψοί, Πάτμος, Ικαρία και Φούρνοι στη μακρινή απόσταση.

Ως «ορεκτικό», εδώ είναι μια σύντομη παρουσίαση φωτογραφιών με ένα ζευγάρι από τις εντυπώσεις μου από περιπετειώδη ταξίδια σε motorscooter μέσω αυτών των τοπίων στις πλαγιές νότια και νοτιοδυτικά από Mount Μπουρνιά, κυρίως μεταξύ Τσόπελα κόλπο και τον οικισμό Καλογερά.

If you want to see more, please follow this link here for a 14 min long photo presentation.

A visit to the valley of the river Imvrasos

A couple of impressions from visits to the valley of the river (brook) of Imvrasos. Starting the trip from the road between Koumaradei and Pirgos and following the river valley down to Myli, visiting/crossing the river at several locations.



In addition some photos too:

Fire Service Drill in Chora on 24 August 2012

Samos Welcomes Latest Volunteer Fire-fighter at Chora School

Festivities, foreigners and the fire brigade.
With the summer comes the fire risks and if the fire starts someone has to put them out.
Bright red trucks, Canadair water bombers and helicopters all take up the challenge of saving a parched land from an old enemy; fire.
With an economic and political situation which could be described as combustible the landscape is beginning to match it. The sun’s heat has tanned the diminished number of tourists but has made the land tinder dry. Whether there is economic and political stability, whether or not the tourists come, the fear of conflagration remains.
Greece has a full time fire brigade but during the hot, dry and windy summer months the risk of a large outbreak may even be too big for them to tackle alone. Volunteer fire fighters will, at a moment’s notice, stop what they are doing and take up the challenge of saving their land, homes, neighbours and families. Everyone who lives here appreciate their sacrifices and dedication.
The Aegean island of Samos was deeply scarred by huge fires in the summer of 2000, with a smoke plume which was even visible from space. There are regular reports of discarded cigarettes, broken bottles, an accident and even arson once again threatening to unleash an inferno. The cause of some fires is never known and to those who respond, largely irrelevant. They have to be put out, no matter how they were started and the faster the better.
The volunteer fire-fighters of Chora will receive a fire truck donated by the Schwarz family, the patrons of the Samos Young Artists Festival. The truck was originally used by the volunteer fire-fighters of Kirchberg in Austria, who have renovated the truck, re-equipped it and are driving it to Samos. The truck should arrive on Thursday 23rd August.
The truck will then be handed over to the Chora Volunteer Fire-fighters on Saturday 25th August at 8pm. The handover will take place at Chora School where there will be food and drinks available as well as dancing to celebrate the arrival of one more weapon in the yearly battle with wildfires.
Even as this truck arrives volunteers from Samos Island are on the neighbouring island of Chios, risking their lives to put out huge wildfires there. Reports are emerging that these fires may have been caused deliberately in an act of arson. Whatever the reason the fire-fighters deserve our support and profits from food and drink sales on Saturday go towards the volunteers operating costs.
This type of co-operation whether it be multi-national, inter-community or local show what can be achieved without the need for posturing but a desire to get the job done. Necessity means that people from all backgrounds can pull together and do their best. At the end of the day it is the crews who will go out, will take the risks, will face down the fires and do what needs to be done.
There is still a place for Greek heroes.

"Always" Pythagorion

A sunny morning in early May in the picturesque harbour of Pythagorion. A couple of impressions from a relaxed walk - with many stops to enjoy the picturesque views - through parts of the harbour on that beautiful early morning with clear blue skies. Song "Always" by dutch singer/songwriter Ad Vanderveen. Played and sung by Ad Vanderveen together with Kersten de Ligny and Dimos Kasapidis, in a spontaneous acoustic guitar session after a nice meal we had together in a tavern on Balos beach, Samos.

Samos "Think Pink" on 30.10.2011

Εκδήλωση Think Pink

Ο μήνας Οκτώβριος είναι αφιερωμένος σε όλο τον κόσμο, στην πρόληψη και
ενημέρωση των γυναικών για τον καρκίνο του μαστού. Εκτιμάται πως κάθε 6
λεπτά μία γυναίκα χάνει τη ζωή της, ενώ κάθε 2,5 λεπτά γίνεται μια νέα
διάγνωση. Ωστόσο, οι θεραπευτικές εξελίξεις στον καρκίνο του μαστού
έχουν ξεπεράσει τις προσδοκίες και των πιο αισιόδοξων ειδικών.
Καλλιτεχνικά και αθλητικά δρώμενα λαμβάνουν χώρα καθ’ όλο τον Οκτώβριο,
με σκοπό την ενημέρωση για την πρόληψη και έγκαιρη διάγνωση του καρκίνου
του μαστού, την ευαισθητοποίηση της κοινωνίας και τη συγκέντρωση ποσών
που διατίθενται στην αντικαρκινική έρευνα και στην υποστήριξη των
γυναικών με καρκίνο του μαστού.
Η Σχολή Χορού Samos School of Dance, το γυμναστήριο Samos Sport Studio
και Ινστιτούτο Αισθητικής Dermaform, οργανώνουν για πρώτη φορά στη Σάμο
τη δράση Think Pink, στις 30 Οκτωβρίου στις εγκαταστάσεις του Samos
Sport Studio στα Περιβόλια της Πόλης της Σάμου.
Η εκδήλωση Think Pink περιλαμβάνει ποικιλία δωρεάν δραστηριοτήτων για
γυναίκες και άνδρες.
10:00 Έναρξη
10:30-11:30 Art Therapy με τη Μαριάννα Νίλσεν Χατζημιχάλη
11:00-13:00 Συμβουλές Αισθητικής, Henna Tattoo
11:30-11:50 Πρόγραμμα Εκγύμνασης Κοιλιακών και Ραχιαίων
11:50-12:30 Push + Lift πρόγραμμα εκγύμνασης όλου του σώματος
12:30-13:00 Ομιλία από τον Ιατρό Κατσούλη Ιωάννη
13:00-14:00 Χορός Swing
Παράλληλα θα υπάρχουν μαθήματα αναρρίχησης για μικρούς και μεγάλους και
δραστηριότητες για παιδιά.
Στην εκδήλωση συμμετέχουν επίσης ο Σύλλογoς Αυτοδυτών Σάμου και η σχολή
καταδύσεων AegeanScuba.
Μικροαντικείμενα όπως Ροζ βραχιολάκια, μπλούζες, κούπες, κοσμήματα, με
τη Ροζ Κορδέλα που συμβολίζει την συμπαράσταση σε όλες τις γυναίκες στις
οποίες διαγνώστηκε καρκίνος του μαστού, θα διατίθενται προς πώληση. Τα
έσοδα θα δοθούν εξολοκλήρου σε Συλλόγους και ΜΚΟ που υποστηρίζουν τις
γυναίκες με καρκίνο του μαστού.

ENGLISH:

Think Pink Event

The month of October is dedicated to the world, prevention and
inform women about breast cancer. It is estimated that every 6
minute a woman loses her life, and every 2.5 minutes is a new
diagnosis. However, therapeutic developments in breast cancer
have exceeded the expectations of the most optimistic experts.
Artistic and sporting events take place throughout October,
for information on prevention and early detection of
breast cancer, to raise awareness and fund raising
available in cancer research and support
women with breast cancer.
The Samos School of Dance, Samos Sport Studio
and Institute of Aesthetic Dermaform, organize for the first time in Samos
Action Think Pink, on October 30 at the premises of Samos
Sport Studio, Perivolia Samos town.
The event includes Think Pink range of free activities for
women and men.
10:00 Start
10:30 - 11:30 Art Therapy with Marianna Nielsen Hatzimihali
11:00 - 13:00 Beauty Tips, Henna Tattoo
11:30 - 11:50 Abs workout and dorsal
11:50 - 12:30 Push + Lift workout the whole body
12:30 - 13:00 Speech by Doctor John Katsoulis
13:00 - 14:00 Swing Dance
While there will be climbing courses for all ages and
activities for children.
The event also includes the Syllogos Divers Samos and the Dive school AegeanScuba.
Small objects like Pink wristbands, sweatshirts, mugs, jewelry, with
the pink ribbon symbolizing support for all women in
diagnosed with breast cancer will be available for sale. The
proceeds will be given entirely to associations and NGOs that support
women with breast cancer.

Pagondas in the evening

Evening atmosphere over the village of Pagondas in the south of Samos.
June 2011 .

Looking down on the houses of Pagondas with the mighty church dominating the sight of the village

Potami valley

Hot Greece and bare aegean islands without any trees?
Well, not on Samos island!

You want to find out yourself?
Then pay a visit to the incredibly green, shady and cool Potami valley with the Potami brook and several cascades/small waterfalls, not far away from the city of Karlóvasi on the north coast of the island.

Walking on the footpath along the brook gives you almost the feeling like you're walking in some type of dschungle!
Whenever I go there, I am always fascinated by the brook running between these strangely formed trees.

Silence / Varsamos beach and Kallithea

Middle of June we made a tour from Pythagorion to the west of Samos island, going down to the coast to visit Varsamos beach.
Nobody else but us was there, the tavern seems to be closed.


On the way back, a spontaneous stopover in a small tavern in Kallithea around sunset - to record a song video - developed into a gathering with local people and singing a couple of songs together.
Many thanks to the men and women of Kallithea involved in the "party" for the Ouzo and Souma!


"Silence"



Sing along in Kallithea:

Drift show Marathokambos

I am currently working on the DVD from the drift show at Marathokambos.
Here a short trailer, to order the full length DVD, please visit www.stm.gr or call 22730 35260

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!)

The Avlakia Session: If I needed you

The Avlakia Session on Samos island in Greece, part 2.

The dutch musicians Ad Vanderveen & Kersten de Ligny and greek musician Dimos Kassapidis performing together, playing & singing the beautiful song " If I needed you".

This song was written and originally performed by american singer/songwriter Townes Van Zandt.

Recorded 10 meters away from the lovely blue waters of the aegean sea in the small village of Avlakia on the north coast of the island of Samos, Greece, July 2010.
The outro part of the video was taken on a remote beach in the west of Samos island.
Link to part 1 of the Avlakia session: "Cloud of Unknowing"

Xenophilia: more consultants than tourists coming to Samos? ;-)

Good gracious, hopefully not!

Maybe better name the change: "from ego to eco"! :-)

The island of Samos faces a steady decline in tourists coming to the island over the last years. On top of that, in 2010 5,8 percent less travellers as compared to the season 2009 came with international flights to the Island.


This might be interpreted as an indication that the administration - due to whatever reason - has neglected the development of skills to handle the requirements of nowadays tourism management.

What do you do when you don't know what to do?
In a situation like the one described by Carl von Clausewitz: "Nothing is more difficult than withdrawing from an untenable position".

Well, as the administration responsible for this situation - at least in part -, you might find yourself forced into hiring consultants from other islands and/or foreign countries who will design a "strategic concept" for the next 5-10 years.
This seems to be part of the Xenophilia idea of the greek people I think! ;-)

Because consultants are expected to take an independant position and focus on tourism from a perspective other than from within the island to clearly see things the administration didn't want to notice or didn't want to be confronted with!
Well, after all, some Samians might say: all of a sudden tourism went down!

One thing we have to keep in mind though, well, what could we do, if we would find ourselves on the border of the European Union, as far as possible away from Athens, in a political situation that cuts us off from almost all resources and travel connections coming from the near Asia Minor coast and that could help Samos to become a cheaper destiny.

Why do most of the goods have to be shipped via Athens or Thessaloniki to Samos? What about e.g. flights from Izmir or other turkish destinations to Samos or Ikaria island?
current situation here!

Another example: isn't it strange, that as a tourist, you can buy organized (daily) excursions by ship from Samos to the holy island of Patmos or to ancient Ephesus in Turkey. But try to do this while you are on Samos with excursions to Ikaria and Fourni, the two other destinations covered by the prefecture of Samos. And btw., Ikaria has an airport since quite a couple of years already!

In this situation, for sure, the Samians need the best consultants, e.g. "The World Centre of Excellence for Destinations" (CED) in Canada.

First the prefecture called for Euroxenia from Rhodos, then - in addition - the prefecture last year in November teamed up with CED and their SMED process!
See here:
Agreement with CED, middle of November 2009
Report presented to Samos by CED
and
Agreement with Euroxenia

If you study these announcements, you will notice that they are filled with a collection of Buzzword Bingo words I know well enough from presentations of american consultants. Enthusiasm bubbles created by "speech foam".
But lets be serious: announcements are one thing and what will be achieved – despite these type of announcements - within a reasonable time frame is another thing.

As a short example: I try to do my best to use some of these well known "buzzwords" to create a "bubble of excellence".
Let's see what I can do, what about this one here:
Process to foster "Real World Measurements for Excellence in Xenophilia Performance" (RWMEXP) to excel in total Philoxenia. Lol!

The Canadair planes CL-215 help(ed) Samos a lot in fighting many forest fires during the summer seasons. So let's hope, that - with regards to tourism matters - the SMED process by the canadian based CED will indeed allow Samos to "walk upright" again and perform well in the competition with other tourist destinations within reach. Samos is - besides Crete - the first greek island to engage in this process.
And please let it not be another set of costly crutches offered to an aching administration.

Sort of a short insight in the SMED process can be found in the presentation of Manolis Psarros


And, as someone who likes good photos, I can only beg the prefecture: please send a good photo to CED to present the island of Samos as destination on CEDs website. The actual photo that I can see (Dec 3rd-8th, 2010) showing Samos-town and the gulf of Samos is imho the worst photo of all current SMED destinations presented and imho doesn't serve the island of Samos as a really beautiful touristic destination ......


..... with friendly and original local people, like, for example, some of the musicians I met on Samos .....


and lots of good things to eat and drink!


Btw., maybe this is another reason, why consultants (and investors) like to come to Samos! ;-)

But, what about the (N)Ikarians? As I see it, due to their painful experience over quite a few years, they gave a damn ;-) on what the prefecture administration in Samos-town on Samos island is/was not doing for them.

And now, indeed, in a way, Ikarians can be proud, because during the last years, Ikaria was successful in positioning itself as a unique destination and especially in attracting lots of young people as visitors to the island!

If you travel on a ferry during the summer season from Piraeus to Samos, it might appear that Ikaria acts like an age filter for international tourism: almost all who are below the age of thirtyfive will leave the ship in Ikaria, most of those aged 45 or more will stay and proceed to Samos.

I come to the island of Samos by plane via direct charter flights from Frankfurt, many, many times since 1999. And of course, I'm way beyond 45! :-)

Wet experience!

These two photos show the harbour front of Pythagorion on Saturday morning, October 16th, 2010, before the heavy thunderstorm came. Already during the night it had been raining.
Later on this Saturday, after 11:15 am, I experienced for the first time a thunderstorm with almost torrential rainfalls on Samos while driving in a car on the road between Pythagorion and Vathy (Samos-town).

Leaving Samos-town:



Entering Pythagorion:



In Pythagorion we stopped on the main road whilst the rainfall was getting stronger and stronger. Until the main road looked like a river! Even hail came down for a short time at approx. 01:30 pm.





For people living on Samos this might be nothing new, because they already experienced it in the wintertime many times.
But for me it was quite a new Samos experience!

Samos in October 2010

End of season 2010 is approaching fast. Every day some more bars, restaurants and Hotels close down.

Here are some photos from a mostly sunny but windy and not so warm Samos at the end of the second week in October 2010.
But the sea is still warm, good for bathing on empty beaches.

Samos distributed worldwide!

The greek island of Samos in the internet! Lots of photos, websites, travel fora and articles can be found transporting the good news about this unique island in the east aegean.
Some of my Samos videos/presentations on YouTube have reached quite a respectable number of views since they were launched:

15.800 views for Samos 2007, greek & green
17.650 views for "Samos 2007, greek & green" (10 min)
19.400 views for Samos/Greece 2008 presentation "greek & green"
23.650 views for Samos 2009, a fascinating experience!

And the winner is:

26.350 views for "Rebetika Tragoudia / Rebetika (Rebetic) Songs"
A video about the music of Jiannis Loulourgas, a luthier, singer and bouzouki player from Pythagorio on Samos island.



Sort of a rising star is the video about the visit of the mega-yacht "Al Mirqab" in Pythagorio (3740 views since it was published a bit more than three month ago on June 19th, 2010:



Alltogether, more than 100.000 times people were clicking on these videos on the YouTube platform.

On the video internet platform "Vimeo" I have established a Samos specific channel called "Experience Samos" with many videos and presentations of Samos.

The strait of Samos

The strait of Samos (in greek: Stenó Sámou, or in turkish: Dar Bogaz). Where Greece with the island of Samos is at its closest distance to Turkey!



When driving on dusty dirt roads between Psili Ammos and Posidonio on the south-east coast of Samos it feels like looking down on a lake, with the high mountains of the turkish coast on the opposite side.




The western end of the strait of Samos. The small island (with a lighthouse) belongs to Turkey and is opposite of Psili Ammos beach.



Sunset trip on Friday evening, captain Jiannis from Pythagorio with his boat Agia Irini is on his way through the strait of Samos heading towards a nice night with lots of eating, drinking and dancing in a fish tavern in Posidonio.



Some videoclips I took this year in the south-east of Samos:







Well, how narrow is this channel between Europe (Greece) and Asia Minor (Turkey) at its closest distance?

I’ve done some searches in the internet and obtained differing data. A range from 1,2 kilometers to approx. 2 kilometers is offered for the closest distance!

meandertravel says:
The island Samos lies in the heart of Central Aegean, 1200 meters from the shore of Asia Minor.

Many people with german websites just copy the text from the german Wikipedia site, which states 1,3 km. The english version of Wikipedia interestingly allows 1,6 kilometers for the closest distance!

As does the EUROPÄISCHES SEGEL-INFORMATIONSSYSTEM which states 1,68 kilometer! (in german):
„Die Straße ist an der engsten Stelle 0,9 nm (=1,68km) breit und 2,99 nm (=5,64km) lang.“

The World Cruising Wiki says:
The Mycale channel, which is 1 nM wide, separates the two countries, ...

Partsafas K. Stillianos, head of the Samos port authority, is cited to have said:
“Samos is very close to Turkey. This is why we deal with so many illegal immigrants. At its closest point in the Samos Strait, Greece and Turkey have just 0.6 nautical miles between them,” ....

Samosin.gr site says:
„To the East of Samos is Turkey and Asia Minor, from which Samos is separated by the “Eptastadio” channel, (called Dar Bogaz in Turkish) whish is only 1650 meters wide at its narrowest point.“

I even found a statement saying this:
„In fact, Samos is only 2km from Turkey at its closest point, but to be honest, as far as I could see, Samos could be 2km of the coast of France for all the Turkish influence in evidence!“

Nowadays, Google helps us to find out ourselves what is the closest distance between Samos and the turkish coast.
And I remembered the sunset trip to Posidonio with captain Jiannis from Pythagorio where he always shows people in his boat this point on the south-east coast of Samos.

So, I marked two points on Google Earth in the area of the Samos strait which I think could represent the closest distance between the two countries Greece and Turkey.



The coordinates are:

For Samos:
37°42'17.15"N
27° 1'47.01"E

Decimal degrees notation: 37.704764 27.029725

For Turkey:
37°41'23.04"N
27° 1'51.98"E

Decimal degrees notation: 37.689733 27.031106

With these data I went to two different websites to calculate the distance.

rechneronline.de/geo-koordinaten
I obtained 1676 meters !

with geo-tools/distance-calculator
I obtained 1675 meters.

Well, that perfectly fits the data given on that sailing site (1,68 kilometers)!

I didn't check it, but maybe others regard the distance between those two small islands/rocks in the sea (the one in front of the turkish mainland, and the other one opposite to it in front of Psili Ammos beach on Samos) as the shortest distance between Greece and Turkey and use this distance.
I'm refering here to the closest distance between the mainland of Turkey and the shores of Samos.