Amaury Dreher

Greece (Hydra + Athens) trip REPORT

Population : 10 000 000 (2000 in Hydra)

Capital : Athens

Languages : Greek

Visa : Easy

My favorite places : Kefalonia, Crete

Greece is the country I have visited the most. I think I have been there about 13 times and still today I don't feel jaded and always go there with the same enthusiasm. In addition to an incomparable culture and historical identity, Greece features idyllic landscapes and lovely people. From a Western European standard, Greece is an affordable destination assuming one avoids the jet-set/over-hyped areas (Mykonos, Santorini, etc…). For instance, I ate a delicious Moussaka in the middle of Athens city center for only 8.50 €.

Although I have been to Greece many times, this was the first time I went with a DSLR camera and my drone. This 13th trip was quite short and I focused only on Athens and the small Hydra island.

Athens has been continuously inhabited for at least 4000 years and features astonishing historical landmarks with the most famous one being the Acropolis where democracy was born.

The Greek capital achieved a pleasant balance between its historical heritage and the practical aspects of a modern megalopolis. There are coffee shops, ancient ruins, parks, art galleries, hills to climb, cosy bars to discover, etc…. The city is surrounded by a few mountains and extends on the shores of the Aegean Sea where its giant Piraeus Port enables an efficient maritime gateway for both ferries and cargos. (The Piraeus port is now owned by the Chinese government, that’s is somewhat a controversial topic but it remains a consequence of the harsh economic crisis time which occurred few years ago)

The Greek gastronomy is absolutely unbeatable with a variety of healthy and tasty appetizers, entrees and desserts. Fruits and vegetables are way better than elsewhere, olive oil is divine and restaurants often offer free Watermelon at the end of a meal. Sometimes they add Raki, the famous Balkan liquor that one can also find in neighbouring countries.

After spending a few days in Athens we headed to Hydra.

The island of Hydra is singular because of its absence of roads and therefore of cars which is a real blessing. One can relax listening to the sound of the sea and the birds flying around.

No asphalt, no horns, no exhaust pipes, in Hydra you have to walk, ride a donkey or go by boat to reach your destination. The city is small and charming. It features many cute houses with always the very Greek white painting alongside bougainvilleas. The alleys are clean, sometimes steep and you can see cats all around sleeping peacefully. Due to its features the island has attracted cosmopolitan and also high society foreign residents. For instance, Leonard Cohen was rumored to own a house on the island.

The small port is bustling with activity. Yachts, ferries and fishing boats cross each other in a joyful aquatic ballet.

The island is very small and has only one town of the same name. The landscapes are rather deserted and steep. Various monasteries overlook the island and the Myrto Sea

It is possible to reach Hydra by taking the ferry from Athens. The crossing takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes and stops in Poros on the way.

For those wishing to swim and get tanned it is possible to take a short boat ride to reach one of the various beaches which are dispersed around the island. Some are reachable by foot and the walk will reward you with very scenic views.

The island played a major role in the war for independence by hosting a fleet of more than 100 ships which turned to be a major asset for defeating the Ottomans. Two military forts and many cannons are still there as a reminder of the past. However, the armed vessels all disappeared and got replaced by luxury yachts, fishermen and taxi boats. Far from its trade & military past, Hydra is now almost entirely oriented towards tourism and relaxation. However, it is estimated that approximately 2500 people reside there on a permanent basis.