A Walk In Yialos
This morning we are going for a short walk in Yialos. This is Symi Town, the main harbour and the place where most people arrive when visiting the island. As you arrive, you see the horseshoe-shaped harbour and the houses clambering up the hillside as if the sea was a stage in an amphitheatre. Many folks get off the boat, follow the guide, listen to the talks and then are sent to certain places for lunch. They might then have a look a few shops or have a coffee before re-joining the boat and saying, ‘There, done Symi.’ But there is more to see, even if you don’t make it out of Yialos.
For example, you can explore the backstreets where there are restaurants and cafes and more shops. You can take a look at the outside of St John’s church, the island’s ‘cathedral’, though the bell tower is currently roped off. Go beyond that and start to see the real Yialos where there are schools and the playgrounds, some large mansion houses, and also the artisans’ shops and buildings. You can let the children play in the square on the playground or take them for a walk up the hill towards Nimborio for a view back towards the sea.
On the south side, opposite the clock tower, you find more cafes and shops and places to eat where you can watch the sailing boats coming in and out. That’s often good entertainment as not everyone who hires a boat knows exactly what to do with it. You will also find fresh fruit and veg stalls in the backstreets, the butchers and bakers, a newsagents, several supermarkets, and souvenir shops alongside working craft workshops. So, there is more than just the quayside offerings. There is the war memorial to view and the famous steps up to the lovely house on the north side; not so bad going up, but you need a head for heights coming down. Explore behind the houses on the north side, and you can find a path that leads across the hill there, looking down onto the bay. Explore on the south side, and you may even find your way to the village.
And those are just a few ideas. I think the main point is to explore. Get away from the guides, or better still, come on your own. (Sorry guides, but few allow their guests to explore in Horio or other places that are reachable by bus and taxi within the allotted time of three and half hours, or whatever.) If in doubt, ask someone. You’ll always find a friendly welcome and many locals speaking your language who can direct you to something slightly off the beaten, well-worn track.
