Aloha Everyone,
Naxos is an old Venetian town with the Tower of Glezos (Naxos Castle) serving as a protective shield to the fortress of Sanoudos. Restoration on the fortifications are ongoing.
This morning, following the advice of a helpful shopkeeper, who told me to just walk straight up, I parted J.J.’s company and began my ascend. I really thought that this would be a real walk. I carried a bottle of water, bite size biscuits in my trusted Greek sling backpack and headed up.
The climb was not difficult but the route I took was not very impressive. A view of the harbor below opened up where I met Mario, a pharmaceutical rep from Athens visit clients in Naxos. We walked up together the remainder of the way asking each other, “Where is the castle keep?” A Café owner was preparing to open his business. When I asked him how far is the castle, his answer was this is it. You are in the middle of the castle.
Descendants of French and Venetian nobles still inhabit the castle. But what I saw were signages for inns, hotels and restaurants.
Safely reunited with J.J. My total walk was only 1 mile round trip. We opted for an early lunch at a restaurant located adjacent to our hotel. The waiter enthusiastically welcomed us in with a bold declaration, “If these are not the best food you’ve had on Naxos, you don’t pay!” My fish soup, though not visually appealing, was hearty and tasty. JJ as always relishes seafood and he loved the Sea Bream grilled simply with sea salt over a charcoal fire.
But the best part of our lunch, which both of us agreed was the complimentary dessert of Greek yogurt with honey decorated with assortments of fresh fruits including Naxos grapes.
Aloha -- Cathi
