European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 25, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Keeping its quaint identi1 one of the 10 nuns Al the Prodomos Convent on Kopelos leaven fur her daily walk. Bynum Mzeigler travel outdoor writer i have been Millen with so opens since i in first time i glimpsed it eight years ago Funni the furry 1 he gleaming White by Anline town with its perfect Harbor is Mir of the lovelies in Greet e. I his Lime leaping dolphins and diving terns porn Viii d an arrival Ornon despite a stiff Bree a and a crossing swell that tossed the boat Asil glided past the Cliffs that ring the Island. Wailing at the Dock with a greeting of rooms rooms " just As eight years before was Marigoula Ahe Lakia. Throughout the islands the scene is repealed again and again during the season usually in is the women wailing on the Quay but sometimes the men Are there too. Many of the rooms will be in private Homes where families supplement Ribeir in omes in the summer by reserving a bathroom find a bedroom or iwo for tourists. The people Are honest warm and Friendly and they will not intrude on your privacy we joined Ihre Egerman backpackers in following Marigoula to the lodgings where w e bartered on pries finally settling on 1,500 drachmas $9.50 per night per room. Our co lodgers opted for the super Economy arrangement tripling up in one room for 2,1100 drachmas $12 a night. This works out to $4 h if you Are willing to put up with the other Guy s snoring this Type of arrangement is one of the Best ways to save Money travelling in Green. Many rooms Are available Wilh two or More Beds. The rooms were clean and spare with balconies looking out on a Side Street. The bathroom and Shower were across the Hall anal downstairs were a refrigerator and stove. Kopelos seems to have been Able to profit from the tourist Trade without allowing in Lei Hange its identity. The narrow Steep streets climbing up from the Harbor Are still quiet and authentically Quail. Strollers in the alleys and byways Are Likely to meet Lorl men Riding sidesaddle on their donkeys. Along the Harbo front the cafe tables ire spread out under the manicured Sycamore Trees. There is none of the Elbow to Elbow crowding and carnival atmosphere that exist in ski Altos. Most businesses in Kopelos Are operated by Island natives. 1 he few outsiders who have sell led there Are As protect in of their Island As the natives. Klaus Dieter gibe be and Ullric h Dietrich from Kirchheim Leck West Germany operate the 35-fool Cabin Cruiser Labelle out of Kopelos on Charters throughout the spiracles. The two also own a three bedroom House overlooking the Harbor and they spend a portion of their time cleaning up the carelessly discarded trash that washes ashore on the Beach below their House. Thanasis Geo Polis a Young restaurant owner whose family has lived on the Island for generations says the fear of Many islanders is that outsiders will come Wilh a lol of Money make big it s a Good life now he says i Don l want my Island to be like ski Athos if ski Altos is for the party crowd Kopelos is better suited to quieter More contemplative types. There is night Lite in the town several outdoor discos along the Easl Shore of the Harbor but it is More an Aller Houghl than a Central Parl of the ambience. The f .5 0 residents of the Island Are divided Between two main population centers Kopelos in the Northeast and Glossa lout Raki in the West Wilh three Carlers of them in Kopelos. Several limes a Day a municipal bus plies the narrow winding Road Between the Lowns stopping for passengers Al beaches farms and Homes along the Way. I he most popular Beach on the Island is Tafilos a Pebble and Sand strand backed by Pine lopped Cliffs. It is about four Miles outside town. Others easily reached from the bus route Are Umno Nares and Agnoula. There Are also Many secluded coves reachable by bikes where couples can picnic and Bathe in Solitude. Nudity is the Norm at most beaches on Kopelos. With its Many dirt roads hiking trails and Donkey paths the Island is Ideal for exploring on foot. The Interior is unspoiled with Many Lovely Orchards and Olive Groves As Well As extensive stands of Pine. In former centuries Kopelos was famed for its vineyards. Locals recount a historical anecdote 10 stripes mjg Ine May 25, j 989
