Today I am going to take you for a walk near my
village of Youti. Let us first look northwards
at the Drakon Mountains, where there is a valley
with dense pine woods, ending in high cliffs
with a crag about 800 feet high. To the west
runs another valley with a dry stream-bed. But
in ancient times the valley was green, fed by
springs, and this was a prosperous place,
abundant in wild goats and boars, deer, mouflons
and hares. Hunters and shepherds brought their
produce to a natural harbour, smooth as a pond
even when the sea was rough, and they did a busy
trade with merchants from overseas. As we walk
along, we notice the beautiful shape and pure
colours of the White Rock standing fifteein to
twenty meters high, it is unique in the
surrounding area. At one time experts who
analysed fragments of the stone indicated that
it could be used for the manufacture of
porcelain, but the Government, in its wisdom,
did not follow up the suggestion. The Rock is
one of our treasures, in the sunlight, high
above the sea. The combination here of mountain,
forest, sea and golden sand is magical. When I
lived in Eptakomi, I went there several times a
week to enjoy its peace and refreshing air. In
the middle of the beach there are a rocks
formation called the Ladders (Skales) an apt
description of its shapes. It acts as a
breakwater. If you look back from there, you
will see large caves, full of birds nests:
gulls, crows, pigeons, vultures and eagles live
there in their thousands; and some of the caves
have a spring of fresh water. One cave, one
only, houses a colony of bats. These have to be
kept under control, as they feed on fruit, and
attack orchards. Where the trees cast a shade is
the vivid green of clover, useful as fodder. |