After the island initially welcomed us with strong winds and breakers that washed sand and Posidonia over our boat, we were able to discover many interesting and impressive things on the island over the following days. For example, we watched the large ferry that comes from Alexandroupoli every day manoeuvre cautiously. There was hardly any swell for our boat. And the ‘anchor manager’ at the bow waved to us every time the bow almost reached our boat. Once, however, the ferry's two bow anchors became entangled with each other. It took an hour and the help of a large fishing boat to resolve the problem.
Samothraki, located in the far north-east of the Aegean Sea, is different from the more southerly Aegean islands. High mountains with rugged cliffs that plunge directly into the sea, bizarre rock formations. At 1600 metres, Fengari is the highest mountain. The north side of the island is green. Here you can hike through plane tree and oak forests to various waterfalls.
There is always something going on in the main town of Kamariotissa when the ferry arrives.
We travelled by bus and on foot. We visited the town of Therma with its sulphur springs, looked at the small harbour and decided not to go there with our boat. The harbour entrance is extremely narrow and the harbour quite shallow.
Pictures of Therma
We were particularly impressed by the sanctuary of the Great Gods. In the third century BC, the great gods met here and performed mystical rites to make the world a better place and ensure divine protection at sea. It takes time to walk around the large complex and reach the spot where the Nike of Samothrace was found. In the beautifully designed museum, we were able to marvel at many well-preserved finds.
Pictures of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods
The old capital, Chora of Samothrace, is located in the mountains. Almost everything is closed here: the season is over.
Pictures of the Chora
The southwest of the island is rural. With a view of the high mountains, we walked through mown fields, past small farms with goats, sheep and geese, and sometimes military installations. Turkey is not far away.
Pictures from the southwest
To say goodbye, Gisela took a beautiful hike to the Fonias waterfalls, always along the stream bed and finally with a bit of climbing on a fixed rope.
Pictures of Fonias
Yes, Samothraki has hardly any tourist infrastructure and everything is very informal. Everyone greets everyone else. So that's what we did too. The bus driver even waved to us, when he drove past in his bus.
We are now on Thassos, having made a long journey of 44 nautical miles to the west, and are currently moored in the harbour of Limenária.
