"Patmos - I remember when Greece was like... " a Patmos Island Travel Page by Elenitsa

We arrived in Patmos in the dark and after an "interesting" first night (confusion regarding room proprietors and ending up in definately the WRONG place), we discovered an island which combines the glitz and cruise ship visits of Skala, with the beauty of Hora and the peace of beaches which felt like the ones I visited in Greece 20 years ago!

Skala is a real town - not the prettiest in Greece, but a real town with a life that goes on when the cruise ships aren't in. That said, it has a few too many designer & jewellery shops (and it has to be said tatty souvenier shops) for it's own good! The good news is, that (at least when I was there) these only opened when the cruise ships were in - so as a "resident" you can ignore their existence.

The square is a great place to watch the world (and various religious denominations) go by and generally sink into island life.

Hora (see main picture) is THE typical Greek island village - all white and blue and churches (and cats and donkies!). Didn't spend an evening there as we travelled out of season - but will certainly do so when we return in 2008!

The beaches are heaven - gritty sand, in picturesque bays with hardly any development (except for Grikos and Kambos and even these aren't "developed" by most island standards!) except for an excellent taverna or 2! Your peace may be disturbed by a donkey poking it's head over the wall or a goat trying to steal your food, but otherwise ....shhhhhhh!

Remember - this is a deeply religious island and the locals hold their traditions and religions dear - even if you're of a different or no faith - please bear this in mind.

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/elenitsa/sets/72157594338246076/