8.28.2009

Climbing in Paradise

Finally, we get to posting the pics of the climbing in Kalymnos, one of the main reasons for the trip!

The climbing style and rock are very different from what we are used to, so it took some time to learn the rock and get comfortable. We were feeling super confident right when it was time to return home...I guess this means we'll just have to return!"

As per normal, we got lots of butt-shots. One of these days, we'll do some photo shooting from an angle other than the belay.


A scenic lower at the Palace


Another pretty lower-off view...


A bit difficult to see but B is in the upper left,
under the cave feature (orange helmet)


Heading to a nice layback tufa.


Holds, holds everywhere!


the view from a climbing sector:
Massouri, the main tourist town is below left
& Telendos is the nearest island (on the right)
Bouldering a cave in sandals
Tufa heaven


B is really flexible when he's freaked out on lead!


Doing the tufa splits...


Some more splits.


Slabs in Kalymnos are no fun...slimy, run-out, and terrifying.
After this supposed 3-star route, we decided to stick to the steeps.


My shirt matches the rope...
maybe I can finally get in Rock & Ice! ;)


Climbing at Kastelli at sunset.


A nice silhouette pic


The same Kastelli climb but your typical belay shot
(B is at the top, near the 'mouth' feature)


We finished the climb just in time to watch the sunset,
but a bit too late for a good pic.


Finally, a non-butt shot of Brandon...
a nice guy from Austria took this for us.

Kalymnos has become a climbing mecca...
many elite climbers travel here to work super hard routes.

Also, it is a short flight for most Europeans, so there are climbers
from many different countries there to try out the uniquely featured rock.

8.21.2009

Kalymnos- Around the Island

We took a 13-hour night ferry from Athens to Kalymnos. This was a difficult ride, the boat rocking through the waves, the wind blowing hard, and our own little cloud of smoke hovering over us (everyone smokes) the whole way as we attempted to sleep on the deck. Oh well...it was an adventure!


A similar ferry heading out from Pireaus


Our camping area on the deck of the ferry


...can you tell that I can't wait to get off the rocking boat?!


Harry's Paradise, our home away from home, was truly a paradise


I'm zonked on the bed, recovering from the boat-ride!


The view from our deck
A view within the garden


Harry's Paradise Restaurant


A nice relaxing spot at Harry's to drink iced Nescafe (the local afternoon drink of choice)

Alexandria, owner of Harry's Paradise,
a sweet & kind woman with a beautiful smile!
The highlight of our trip was Harry's Paradise...
a comfortable stay, amazing food, and people who welcomed us in like family.
Here with our Kalymnian family, including:
Emmanuela, Evokia (fabulous chef, daughter of Alexandria) & hubby Dimitri.
Everywhere a view to the ocean...


Wow, how fast does your scooter go?!
B on our island transportation
Sadly, I don't think my dream of a scooter future is going to work out...
it turns out I'm a terrible scooter driver,
mainly b/c my feet don't reach the ground!
Mmmm...tasty Gyro!
The view from our favorite beach, at Emporios

Even our toes were getting tan!
An old stone chapel in the ruins of Chora


The beautiful fjord of Vathi
Vathi's swim area


A beautiful boat harbored at Vathi


Showering the saltwater off...
The oceanside pathway to the chapel at Kastelli

Chapel at Kastelli




A chapel carved out of stone & painted white, in typical style


A hidden gem of a beach...near Nikolai's Paradise

Nikolai was a local who wanted us to take a ride in his boat (shown here)
but we never could figure out to where or for what purpose...we declined his offer.
A nice spot for lunch
Many of the frescoes have been painted over...this one is halfway revealed
Goats & sheep wander everywhere on the island.



A typical white & blue building
We clean up good, eh?!


Night-time ambiance at Harry's Paradise