Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,640
(THEME MUSIC)
2
00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:24,600
PETER MANEAS (PRESENTS):
Well, I can't believe
3
00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:27,000
we're already into series six
4
00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:29,720
and this year we're travelling
to the Central Cyclades,
5
00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:32,120
the most popular islands in Greece.
6
00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,080
And if we're lucky,
we'll see some of these beasts
7
00:00:34,160 --> 00:00:36,920
that have been high hibernating
for the winter.
8
00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:38,760
These guys, they can't get
into the nooks and crannies
9
00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:39,840
that we can get to.
10
00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:43,360
So, Mia Zoi is gonna take us
right into those lovely islands
11
00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:45,960
and we'll see
the famous one Mykonos,
12
00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:49,320
but also the tiny ones
that you know nothing about.
13
00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:52,760
I'm really looking forward to this.
I'm about to jump out of my skin.
14
00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:56,840
This time on My Greek Odyssey,
I'm headed to Andros,
15
00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:58,960
an island famed
for its pretty harbour
16
00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:00,680
and neoclassic architecture.
17
00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:02,800
I'm going to explore
its maritime history
18
00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:04,440
and ahead across the island on foot
19
00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:06,320
to learn about the life
of the ancients
20
00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,040
who called Andros home.
21
00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:09,120
To finish the episode,
22
00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:11,840
I'm heading south
to the neighbouring island of Tinos
23
00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:15,160
to start my exploration
of this lesser known destination.
24
00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:23,600
The northern tip of Andros
is only about 10km or so from Evia,
25
00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,320
and if you head west for 60km,
you'll find yourself in Athens.
26
00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:28,440
So, we're heading to a place
27
00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:30,840
that's not that far from the chaos
of the city,
28
00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,080
but despite its proximity
to the mainland,
29
00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:35,760
somehow it remains quite peaceful.
30
00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,240
Second largest island
in the Cyclades,
31
00:01:38,320 --> 00:01:41,800
this island does not resemble
any of its cousins.
32
00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:43,880
In fact, it's got so much water.
33
00:01:43,960 --> 00:01:47,440
There are ten rivers
flowing year round,
34
00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:50,920
so much so that they export
this beautiful mineral water
35
00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:52,040
around the world.
36
00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,880
Andros has never really been
an island for tourism.
37
00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:56,000
They don't cater for it
38
00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:58,480
because it's got
such a maritime history.
39
00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:02,000
The first steamships
to be registered in all of Greece
40
00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,880
came from here travelling
all the way to New York.
41
00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:08,560
Andros has some beautiful eye candy
in its Chora,
42
00:02:08,640 --> 00:02:10,000
and I'm looking forward
to walking through
43
00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:12,800
and checking out all this
beautiful neoclassic architecture.
44
00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:19,080
Perched above the expansive harbour
with its beaches and rocky outcrops
45
00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,800
is a patchwork
of neoclassic mansions,
46
00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:23,680
typical Cycladic island homes
47
00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:27,000
as well as Ottoman
and Byzantine architecture.
48
00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,600
Somehow it all seems
to blend together harmoniously
49
00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:32,840
to create a cosmopolitan vibe.
50
00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,000
Although,
there is a significant economy
51
00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:40,360
in the agriculture on the island
'cause of its size,
52
00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:43,040
the maritime history
is the peak here.
53
00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:47,760
Several shipping families have done
very, very well
54
00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:51,960
as a result of the last 300 years
of maritime history,
55
00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:53,640
and they've given back.
56
00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:55,360
The museum behind me,
57
00:02:55,440 --> 00:03:00,600
the Goulandris Museum
is basically some wonderful art.
58
00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:04,320
The archaeological museum,
the maritime museum,
59
00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:06,280
you can walk
through these back streets
60
00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:08,160
and within 100 metres of each other
61
00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:13,360
you'll find this beautiful cultural,
artistic sense of the island.
62
00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:14,640
And it's a bit tiring too.
63
00:03:15,920 --> 00:03:19,200
The capital of Andros, Chora,
is built on a peninsula.
64
00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,040
It's a picturesque town
65
00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,760
where it seems as though
everyone has a home with a view.
66
00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:28,160
The amazing thing is just beyond
this densely populated headland,
67
00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:29,600
there's little development,
68
00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,800
so if you want to escape the crowds,
you don't have to go far.
69
00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:39,120
The final town square
that faces the Venetian castle
70
00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,800
has this beautiful walkthrough
from one bay
71
00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:45,920
to the other
on this wonderful peninsula.
72
00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,160
And whether it's accidental or not,
73
00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:52,120
the planning is beautiful
to walk through and visualise
74
00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:54,480
what it was like
200 or 300 years ago,
75
00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,000
because it hasn't changed much.
76
00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:01,160
You can walk from one side
to the other in just a few minutes,
77
00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:03,560
but if you want to properly take
in the architecture,
78
00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,280
you can easily lose
a couple of hours exploring
79
00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:08,720
the laneways and side streets.
80
00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,000
There's a diverse mix of styles,
81
00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:14,960
each a remnant from the centuries
of varying ruling powers,
82
00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,040
as well as the differing fortunes
of those that lived here.
83
00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:21,400
When the Venetians occupied
in the 13th century,
84
00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:23,480
they built all these fortifications
85
00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,440
to protect the locals
from the pirate raids
86
00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:27,720
that were rife in the Aegean,
87
00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:28,760
and it's at this point
88
00:04:28,840 --> 00:04:32,440
where we go from neoclassic mansions
of the captains
89
00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:35,720
to somewhat
of a lesser architecture, terraces.
90
00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:36,960
They're still pretty awesome.
91
00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,840
What I love about this town
is that every single house,
92
00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,600
whether it's a captain's mansion
or a small terrace,
93
00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:50,640
has been or is in the process
of being restored,
94
00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,080
and they're all being used
as holiday houses
95
00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:56,160
or by locals
that live here all year round.
96
00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:58,240
There are no dilapidated houses,
97
00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:01,360
and there's a beautiful blend
of buildings from centuries ago
98
00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:03,840
to more recent additions
from the 1900s.
99
00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,320
It's like walking through a timeline
of the island's history.
100
00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:11,080
Here, thanks in part to having
a strong economy
101
00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,560
and a relatively
constant population,
102
00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,480
they've been able to maintain
the heart of the island.
103
00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:19,200
One of the quirks
are these brass door knockers
104
00:05:19,280 --> 00:05:21,440
in the shape
of a young woman's hand.
105
00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,480
Some have a ring on them,
others don't.
106
00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,800
This is supposed to be a signal
for any young male suitors
107
00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,120
looking for female companionship.
108
00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:31,480
Basically, if you see a ring
on the hand,
109
00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:33,280
that means don't come a knocking.
110
00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:35,120
This system makes sense on an island
111
00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:37,760
where the men were away at sea
for months at a time.
112
00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,760
This connection to the sea
has seen a great deal of money
113
00:05:41,840 --> 00:05:43,120
passed through the island,
114
00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:45,240
however much of it was put
to good use
115
00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,880
in the construction of the town
and community facilities.
116
00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:52,040
Many of the shipping magnates
were philanthropic in nature
117
00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,360
and gave back to the place
they called home.
118
00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:56,960
At the end of the peninsula
119
00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:00,040
is this arch that takes you
to the fort proper,
120
00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,280
and there's not really much left
of the fort.
121
00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:05,480
There's just a tower
there or part of a tower.
122
00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:09,560
All the walls have been
basically blown away by the weather,
123
00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:11,400
and this arch here seems
a bit dangerous.
124
00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:12,440
I'm not going to go up it.
125
00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:15,800
I recommend you don't,
but if you want to, have a go.
126
00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:20,360
Apart from taking a look
at the bridge and old fort,
127
00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:22,720
the reason I came this far
down the peninsula
128
00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:25,120
was to meet with a guy
called Leonidas.
129
00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:29,120
He's a fourth generation descendant
from an Andrea shipping family.
130
00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,760
He was born and raised in London
131
00:06:30,840 --> 00:06:33,280
before permanently moving back
to Greece.
132
00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,280
Now, he splits his time
between Andros and Athens.
133
00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:41,080
The place we're meeting
is a fantastic little museum
134
00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:42,160
that tells a story
135
00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:44,440
of how this island became
a major centre
136
00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:46,640
for the maritime world.
137
00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,760
You're a fourth generation
shipping owner,
138
00:06:49,840 --> 00:06:52,280
but you don't live
in London permanently.
139
00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:54,560
You've moved back to Athens.
140
00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:56,360
That's right.
You spend your time in Andros.
141
00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:57,880
That's right.
142
00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,480
You speak fluent Greek.
143
00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:02,720
You're a bit different to a lot
of the other shipping magnates
144
00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,560
that live in New York and London
and Switzerland
145
00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,600
that are fourth generation.
146
00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:09,400
Why are you any different?
147
00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:12,800
Well, I think what I would say was
just the way we were brought up.
148
00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,360
All my grandparents
were actually born on this island.
149
00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,440
So, both my parents are from Andros,
150
00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:22,360
and they met here,
they grew up here.
151
00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,200
Well, they grew up in Athens,
but, you know, they summered here.
152
00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:28,760
And I think this was always sort of
inbuilt in us, me and my sister,
153
00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:30,040
from a young age.
154
00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:34,920
Our heritage is, and how much we,
you know, owe to this place.
155
00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:39,960
To be honest, you know, a lot of us
have moved back to Athens now.
156
00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:42,240
I must say a lot of the people
I grew up with in London,
157
00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:43,360
we all live in Athens now.
158
00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:45,120
We have a nice community...
So, it's coming back?
159
00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:46,560
..in Pyreus.
160
00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:48,280
We have lunches, you know,
this and that.
161
00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:49,320
It's definitely coming back.
162
00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:51,520
It's coming back because...
The last 10, 15 years.
163
00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:53,520
So, just going back to the shipping,
164
00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,000
at what age did you say,
"I'm going into this,"
165
00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:58,000
and was there pressure?
166
00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:01,600
Right. It's a good question.
I'll be honest.
167
00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:03,800
To be fair, it varies from family
to family.
168
00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:05,240
Now, it just happened to be
169
00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:07,760
that I was...My father
had two children.
170
00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:08,800
I was the only son,
171
00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:12,040
so 100%, there was pressure
from an early age,
172
00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,800
but it kind of took
a lot of the other pressures off
173
00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,040
because a lot of kids
were always looking,
174
00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:18,880
you know, what do I want to do?
175
00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:23,000
I almost knew from a very young age,
sort of primary school, you know,
176
00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:24,920
age of 9, 10, 11,
177
00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,240
that this is my destiny,
this is what I'm gonna do.
178
00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:29,240
This is the tradition.
I heard so many stories.
179
00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:30,680
I never met my granddad.
180
00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,800
Unfortunately, he passed away
before I was born,
181
00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:36,680
but I heard so many stories
from my father.
182
00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,480
And obviously growing up and seeing
the success that they had,
183
00:08:39,560 --> 00:08:41,840
my dad and my uncle,
it was an inspiration to me,
184
00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:43,840
and I think it's unavoidable,
to be honest.
185
00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:44,880
Wow.
186
00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:46,880
You know, you wake up
and you look at this every morning.
187
00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:48,720
Oh, it's fantastic.
It's inspiring, you know.
188
00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:50,120
Yeah.
189
00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:51,560
I've met a lot of second,
190
00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:54,360
third, and fourth generation
shipping families,
191
00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,800
and one thing that I've noticed
that's a common denominator
192
00:08:56,880 --> 00:08:58,120
amongst all of them
193
00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,320
is that there seems to be
a moral and cultural obligation
194
00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:03,120
to continue the business,
195
00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:04,880
and it's not so much a family thing.
196
00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:07,160
More a duty to Greece's
shipping history
197
00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:08,840
and continuing that legacy.
198
00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:10,520
In Leonidas's case,
199
00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,920
for someone
of such a fortunate position,
200
00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:15,400
he's also very humble
and down to earth.
201
00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:36,520
After walking
these beautiful streets
202
00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,160
surrounded
by such stunning buildings,
203
00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:42,960
I was dying to take a peek
into some of the historic houses.
204
00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:44,640
Not only to see the architecture,
205
00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,240
but the content inside
that in some instances,
206
00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,120
takes us back a couple of 100 years.
207
00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,440
The grandeur gives you a sense
that they were wealthy
208
00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,000
and liked the more luxurious things
in life.
209
00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:57,960
They lived a hard
and simple existence at sea,
210
00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:01,600
but when in their home port,
it was a total contrast.
211
00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:04,920
To give me some insight,
I was lucky enough to meet with Lia,
212
00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:05,960
a local expert,
213
00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,960
having written a book
about these very homes.
214
00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:13,080
If these walls could talk,
imagine the stories they would tell.
215
00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:15,200
It's amazing to see
things have been left
216
00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,920
as they were a century or more ago.
217
00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:19,600
Lia, wow.
218
00:10:19,680 --> 00:10:22,600
I feel like we've stepped back
in time 200 years.
219
00:10:22,680 --> 00:10:24,320
You have, actually.
Yeah.
220
00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:29,760
You have, because this house dates
back to the 1880.
221
00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:33,600
All the furniture is original.
222
00:10:33,680 --> 00:10:37,680
If you come and see
all these pieces,
223
00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:41,440
I mean, this must be 1800
from Vienna.
224
00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:42,760
This is a captain's house?
225
00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,800
Yes, a captain
and a ship owner's house.
226
00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:47,720
So, every time they went away,
227
00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,200
they were away for about year,
two years.
228
00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:54,440
When they came back,
they brought everything.
229
00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,240
The Andriots are very proud.
230
00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:59,200
Very proud,
and they've kept the houses
231
00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:02,000
with all the things inside
as they were.
232
00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,440
The people of Andros have
a huge amount of respect
233
00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:08,640
and appreciation for their heritage.
234
00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:11,120
It's understandable
why they would be so proud.
235
00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,600
After all, the maritime history
of the island
236
00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:16,440
has a huge impact
on present day Greece
237
00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:18,440
and continues to do so today.
238
00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:23,120
So, this is the bedroom.
239
00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,760
This bed is at least 100 years old.
240
00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:31,800
It's metal, and it's made in Spain.
241
00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:33,160
Isn't it beautiful?
242
00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,920
I think it's amazing that people
are still sleeping in it
243
00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:37,280
a couple of 100 years later.
244
00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:39,680
They are, actually.
This is their bedroom.
245
00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:41,160
This is their bedroom?
Yes.
246
00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:44,200
Wow.
I think it's gorgeous.
247
00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:45,880
I want to walk out on the balcony
and have a look.
248
00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,600
Please. Yes. Let's go out
and you'll see the main street.
249
00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:54,280
At the time these houses were built,
250
00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:59,360
this main street
was full of shops, banks.
251
00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:01,840
It was all made from marble tiles.
252
00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:03,880
They say it was one of the first,
253
00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:08,960
perhaps the first pedestrian street
in the whole of Greece.
254
00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:10,960
So, what we are looking at here,
255
00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,560
all these beautiful
neoclassic mansions,
256
00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:17,400
they're all captains' houses
and shipping magnates houses.
257
00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:19,440
Yeah.
Yes.
258
00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:20,720
It's amazing to think
259
00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:22,520
that the people
that built these homes
260
00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:25,480
were essentially responsible
for laying the foundations
261
00:12:25,560 --> 00:12:28,840
for the shipping industry
that helped build Greece.
262
00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:31,000
Maritime trade gave
the country wealth
263
00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:33,560
and an identity of being seafarers.
264
00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:34,720
Centuries later,
265
00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,560
Greece is still a giant
of this industry.
266
00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:38,680
In the early years,
267
00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:42,560
sailors were at sea for many months
or even years at a time.
268
00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:45,560
They made immense sacrifice
for not only their families,
269
00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:46,760
but their country.
270
00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:50,960
It was dangerous and lonely,
so naturally the rewards were great.
271
00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:52,400
The wealth they accumulated
272
00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:54,520
is reflected in the homes
they lived in,
273
00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:56,040
like this stunning example
274
00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:58,680
that's been left authentic
to its origins,
275
00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:00,240
like a time capsule.
276
00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:03,280
It's hard to believe
that someone actually lives here.
277
00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:04,640
It's a living museum.
278
00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,640
Wow. Look at this ceiling, Lia.
What is the story?
279
00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:11,960
How do they do this?
This is a typical ceiling.
280
00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:13,000
Most of the houses
281
00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:14,400
have ceilings
like that.
282
00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:17,600
This has beautiful colours,
pale colours.
283
00:13:17,680 --> 00:13:19,640
The artist is a local,
284
00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:21,880
and he painted by hand
285
00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,480
most of the ceilings
of the townhouses.
286
00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:25,520
It's one man?
287
00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:29,280
One man, and he had somebody
who helped him.
288
00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:33,280
Later on, many other people
who were his pupils
289
00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:35,200
started to do the same thing,
290
00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:36,320
but they were unique
291
00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:39,320
because each one of them
had a different design
292
00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:40,560
and different colours.
293
00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:42,000
Wow. So, it's all original?
294
00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:43,880
All original.
I'm looking at this furniture.
295
00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:45,280
I've never seen...
It is amazing.
296
00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:46,520
..anything like it.
297
00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:50,720
They might be Italian,
they might be French or Victorian.
298
00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:51,760
One doesn't know.
299
00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:53,760
So, these captains
were bringing stuff
300
00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:56,080
back from all over the world.
301
00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:57,280
All over the world.
Wow.
302
00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:01,680
The lamps usually came from Morano
in Venice, and France.
303
00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:03,280
A lot of them are French.
304
00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:05,400
Lia, thank you for showing me
through these houses.
305
00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:07,400
I could look through these houses
306
00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:09,760
for months and months and months,
but you've got a book.
307
00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:10,800
I have.
308
00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:11,840
So, I'm going to get that book
309
00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:13,160
and you're gonna sign it for me,
right?
310
00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:15,600
I'll give it to you. Yes.
Great pleasure.
311
00:14:15,680 --> 00:14:17,200
When Helen will see it,
312
00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,200
it's gonna cost me a lot of money,
you know?
313
00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:20,920
You have to bring her here
to see the house.
314
00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:22,320
Oh, that's the worst thing I can do.
315
00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:23,440
(LAUGHS)
No, you have to.
316
00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:24,920
You have to. You have to.
317
00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:26,080
You have to.
Thank you, Lia.
318
00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:28,240
It's important that
319
00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:32,680
these remarkable homes continue
to be maintained and restored.
320
00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:34,280
They retain the heritage of Andros
321
00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:38,160
and act as a reminder of the people
that shape the island's fabric.
322
00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,000
The stately homes
aren't just limited to Chora.
323
00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:45,040
In the rural areas, you'll also come
across similar large houses.
324
00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:48,120
These came about thanks
to the riches that farming brought.
325
00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:51,200
In fact, it was largely
due to a particular fruit
326
00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:53,280
that the maritime industry began.
327
00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:54,840
More on that later.
328
00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:56,800
Outside of the main port,
329
00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:01,000
there are lush rolling green hills
and fertile farmland.
330
00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:05,640
The high yielding agricultural areas
make Andros self-sustained,
331
00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:08,240
providing adequate produce
to feed the population,
332
00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:11,000
and also have plenty to export.
333
00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:15,320
Few tourists visit these areas
so the roads and villages are quiet.
334
00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:17,280
Even the busier parts of the island,
335
00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:19,880
like the beaches
are relatively peaceful
336
00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:22,840
when compared
to the popular destinations.
337
00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:26,880
There are nice spots for a sun bake
and a swim all around the coast,
338
00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:28,560
even quite close to Chora.
339
00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:32,160
Just around the corner
from the port,
340
00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:34,720
there's this beautiful beach
of Fizor Yalia,
341
00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:36,120
and there's a couple of them
around here.
342
00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:38,640
It's not known for having beaches
at this end of the island.
343
00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:40,360
Everybody goes
to the north-western side,
344
00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:42,080
but you find them everywhere.
345
00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:44,480
It's fantastic.
Nice, peaceful bit of music.
346
00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:45,600
Got to jump in.
347
00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,520
It's a very family friendly island
348
00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:54,400
with safe beaches
as well as plenty of space,
349
00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:57,400
shade and places to grab
a meal or drink.
350
00:15:57,480 --> 00:15:59,600
It's by no means
a party destination,
351
00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,200
and the pace of life moves
quite slowly.
352
00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:04,040
Those that live and holiday here
353
00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:06,280
don't come for the shopping
or nightlife.
354
00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:09,720
Andros is an island for those
that want a relaxing escape
355
00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:12,560
free from the crowds
and without any pretension.
356
00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:15,680
I quickly started warming
to the island's charms,
357
00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:18,040
and there was still so much
to explore,
358
00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:20,320
but for now, it was time
for a quick swim
359
00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,120
before one of Kyriako's
famous fish dishes
360
00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:24,600
and an early night.
361
00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:26,960
Tomorrow, I had a pre-dawn start
362
00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:29,080
for a very long day of hiking.
363
00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:49,040
Before I started,
I didn't realise
364
00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:50,920
how special today
would be.
365
00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,360
Ahead was going to be
one of the longest walks
366
00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:55,520
I would do on
the Greek islands.
367
00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:57,560
It was
by no means difficult,
368
00:16:57,640 --> 00:16:59,240
but there was
a whole lot to see
369
00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:00,280
along the way,
370
00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:03,200
and on a hot summer's day,
it was gonna be tiring.
371
00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:05,000
I probably shouldn't complain
372
00:17:05,080 --> 00:17:09,040
because the poor camera crew
had to lug all the gear.
373
00:17:09,120 --> 00:17:11,560
Olga, this is one
of ten rivers here, isn't it?
374
00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:12,600
Actually, yes.
375
00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,040
One of more than ten rivers...
Right.
376
00:17:15,120 --> 00:17:16,560
..flowing all year round on Andros.
377
00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:18,040
Yeah.
378
00:17:18,120 --> 00:17:19,200
And what's it called?
379
00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:20,800
It's called the Dipotamata,
380
00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:23,720
which means that
the two rivers converge.
381
00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:24,880
Alright.
382
00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:28,240
These vertical slabs,
they're obviously put there
383
00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:30,560
when the path was built
many, many years ago.
384
00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:32,760
Exactly.
How old is this path?
385
00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:34,040
Oh, this is a very good question.
386
00:17:34,120 --> 00:17:36,360
We definitely know this was a route
connecting the two castles...
387
00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:37,400
Right.
388
00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,520
..the castle Chora
with the upper castle.
389
00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:41,440
So, definitely many centuries ago
390
00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,720
as the castle of Chora
was erected in 1230.
391
00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:45,480
So, is it 700, 800 years old
or something like that?
392
00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:46,520
Yes, for sure.
Wow.
393
00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:48,040
Let's get going.
394
00:17:48,120 --> 00:17:49,120
They're still standing.
395
00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:50,400
Yes.
(LAUGHS) They're still standing.
396
00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:51,920
Hopefully, they will stand
for longer...
397
00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:55,400
because they hold the path.
398
00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:57,720
Without them, we have no path.
399
00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:02,200
These stones, the amount of time
and resource they've spent
400
00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:05,160
on creating this footpath, you know.
401
00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,080
Well, I would correct you here.
402
00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,080
Local people would say
this is not a footpath.
403
00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:10,560
It's a road.
It's a road.
404
00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:11,680
It's a road.
405
00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:17,280
I suppose the width is more than,
so they get donkeys past each other.
406
00:18:17,360 --> 00:18:18,360
Exactly.
407
00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:20,120
There are parts of this route
or other routes
408
00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,280
that are even much, much wider.
409
00:18:22,360 --> 00:18:23,360
Wow.
410
00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,440
I love walking these routes, Olga,
411
00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:29,720
because I feel like
I'm walking back in time.
412
00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,520
Centuries, centuries.
413
00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:34,240
People have been walking these
for centuries.
414
00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:35,480
Yeah.
Wow.
415
00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:37,280
Yeah, it's amazing.
416
00:18:37,360 --> 00:18:40,920
To get from the bottom castle
to the upper castle
417
00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,720
through these roads, right?
418
00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:45,240
how long does it take?
419
00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:48,200
Well, I would estimate
around 2.5-3 hours,
420
00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:50,080
depending on the pace of the walker.
421
00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:51,920
Oh, that's a good walk.
That's a good walk.
422
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:54,080
And how many, not paths,
423
00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:56,600
roads are there on the island
for hikers?
424
00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:59,160
Well, we,
our organisation maintains a network
425
00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:03,800
of about almost 200km nowadays,
around 33 routes.
426
00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:04,880
Wow.
427
00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:06,960
Yeah, lots of work.
428
00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:16,360
Olga, I just don't get it.
429
00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:20,160
I'm looking at these rock fences,
the rock boundary walls,
430
00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:24,360
specifically that one over there,
dividing what?
431
00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:26,680
It was hard enough to build it,
but why did they build it?
432
00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:27,840
What's going on here?
433
00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:32,480
Yeah, well, people had to use
every inch of land they could have,
434
00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:36,320
so definitely the dry stone walls
are to divide properties,
435
00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:37,480
even at this rocky part.
436
00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:38,520
For what?
437
00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:39,800
For animal grazing,
438
00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:43,320
for dividing property that
further out is more fertile.
439
00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,200
Wow, and this is all schist,
isn't it?
440
00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,480
Yes. The prevailing rock of Andros
is schist.
441
00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:50,120
Right.
Just a few pieces.
442
00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:52,320
I love the way it's split,
you know, it's fantastic.
443
00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:53,360
Yeah.
444
00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:55,920
If you do this hike
without taking your time
445
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,440
and really looking
at the passing scenery,
446
00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:01,200
you may well miss
some of the hidden gems
447
00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:04,640
like these little houses
built using the mountain stone
448
00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:06,480
and blended into the hillsides.
449
00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:11,720
I love these huge retaining walls,
you know.
450
00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:15,200
The amount of work
that's gone into this road.
451
00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:17,520
Road, not footpath, road.
Bravo.
452
00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:19,400
Thank you. Thank you, thank you.
It's amazing.
453
00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:20,480
Look at...
454
00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:23,480
This is also interesting to notice
455
00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:25,400
the combination
of the vertical stones...
456
00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:26,920
Yes.
..with the horizontal, eh?
457
00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:28,520
I think it's almost for irrigation.
458
00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,120
No, it's to make it stronger.
459
00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:31,560
Oh, to make it stronger?
Yes.
460
00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:46,760
This is one of the 24 water mills
that exist in this gorge.
461
00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:48,640
Beautiful.
Yeah.
462
00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:52,240
Oh, now look at this piece
of engineering
463
00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:54,680
that is 800 years old.
464
00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:56,680
Well, about.
465
00:20:56,760 --> 00:21:00,080
Nobody is for certain
exactly the age, but...
466
00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:02,000
Well, if it's a path from Parmo
to Catocastro,
467
00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:03,920
it's got to be
that sort of period anyway.
468
00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:05,240
Yeah. Yeah, correct.
469
00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:07,880
Have a look at this.
470
00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:10,240
This is so impressive.
471
00:21:11,360 --> 00:21:12,640
The resources.
472
00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:15,200
Wow.
473
00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:18,840
As I told you, in all this valley,
there are 24 water mills.
474
00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:22,960
People were cultivating
a lot of barley all over Andros.
475
00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:24,760
Like this water mill here?
Yes, exactly.
476
00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:27,520
This is one typical type
of water mill,
477
00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:30,600
so people, you know,
were having access to the main road,
478
00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:33,600
bringing their wheat here
or their barley to mill it.
479
00:21:33,680 --> 00:21:34,640
Yeah.
480
00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:36,360
We definitely know
these mills existed
481
00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:39,840
during the Ottoman occupation,
16th century onwards.
482
00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:43,120
Some of them kept on operating
483
00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:45,520
almost a little bit
before the Second World War.
484
00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:46,920
Is that right?
Yes.
485
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:49,400
Wow. Well, we better keep walking.
486
00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:51,160
It's hot, Olga.
Yeah, sorry.
487
00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:52,360
It's hot.
488
00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:01,680
With over 200km of hiking trails
on Andros,
489
00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:03,240
there's a lot to be explored.
490
00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:06,880
And while the hike to the castle
usually takes three hours or so,
491
00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,640
it was always gonna take us
the entire day
492
00:22:09,720 --> 00:22:10,880
because along the way,
493
00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:13,240
there was a few side trips
I wanted to do.
494
00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:17,000
As the journey progressed
495
00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:20,280
and the scenery became
even more spectacular,
496
00:22:20,360 --> 00:22:22,160
I learned that the people
that lived out here
497
00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:24,600
were tough and quite ingenious.
498
00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,880
In order to tame the land
and build homes and roads,
499
00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:29,760
they had to develop
their own engineering
500
00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:31,280
and construction techniques
501
00:22:31,360 --> 00:22:33,840
that even today
are considered difficult.
502
00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:35,280
Look, this part.
503
00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:38,160
Huge stones.
504
00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:44,400
We had already covered
a bit of ground,
505
00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,800
but there was still a long way
to go.
506
00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:49,480
Thankfully, there was plenty
to look forward to,
507
00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:51,560
as the best was saved for last.
508
00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:12,520
As the day
started to warm up
509
00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,240
and the miles
accumulate,
510
00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:16,920
the hike became
increasingly challenging,
511
00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,000
but keeping me
motivated was knowing
512
00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:20,960
what fascinating
things lay ahead.
513
00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:22,520
I'd read a lot about the island,
514
00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:24,760
but had to see these things
for myself.
515
00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:27,280
Olga, I understand this river
is normally full.
516
00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:30,440
We're in Livadia,
what is significant about Livadia?
517
00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:33,640
Well, Livadia
is a very wide valley behind Chora.
518
00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:35,840
It's one of the most fertile ones,
519
00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:39,760
and it's actually where a huge
lemon production started,
520
00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:41,840
and according to many people,
521
00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:43,600
this is how shipping started
on Andros.
522
00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:46,200
So, it's the agriculture
of lemon trees
523
00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:48,240
and sending it out
to other countries?
524
00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:49,760
Exactly. Exporting lemons. Yes.
525
00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:51,560
Exporting, that's how
the maritime industry started.
526
00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:52,600
Right.
527
00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,320
Very fertile lands,
very good quality of water.
528
00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:58,120
The lemons are very high quality.
Yeah.
529
00:23:58,200 --> 00:23:59,680
If you would walk here
in the springtime,
530
00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:01,600
the smell, the blossoms.
531
00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:03,840
These walls though that I see
over there and over here...
532
00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:06,440
Yeah. Yeah, this is...
..I haven't seen this before.
533
00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:09,680
Yeah. It's a local technique.
They call it Bastoni stick.
534
00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:11,840
They built vertically the stones
535
00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:14,560
in order to prevent the destruction
of the farms
536
00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:16,760
close to the riverbed
from the water flow,
537
00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:19,200
because when it rains here,
it can really flood.
538
00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:21,720
It's called the big river.
It causes a lot of damages.
539
00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:23,360
So, people over the years
discovered that
540
00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:25,320
they had to build it like this
to make it more robust...
541
00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:26,360
Wow.
542
00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:28,480
..construction
to preserve their farmland.
543
00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:29,920
Impressive.
Yeah.
544
00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:33,480
And all these cypress trees,
why are they there?
545
00:24:33,560 --> 00:24:35,560
Yeah. They work as fences.
546
00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:37,880
They protect the orchards
from the wind.
547
00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:38,920
Right.
548
00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:40,720
At the same time,
it's the only straight wood
549
00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:44,120
you can produce on an island
with lots of wind,
550
00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:47,240
which is very,
you know, important and necessary
551
00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:50,080
for roofing the houses and...
552
00:24:50,160 --> 00:24:51,720
I love these walls.
553
00:24:51,800 --> 00:24:52,800
Yeah.
554
00:24:54,320 --> 00:24:57,080
It takes a lot of foresight
to invest the time,
555
00:24:57,160 --> 00:24:58,160
energy, and money
556
00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:00,800
necessary to create
all this infrastructure.
557
00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:04,120
These things would've taken
many years to build or grow
558
00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:05,480
with the rewards for the effort
559
00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:08,120
often only being felt
a generation later,
560
00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:10,040
but that's typical of the Andriots.
561
00:25:10,120 --> 00:25:11,600
They live not just for themselves,
562
00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:13,240
but for the greater good
of their island
563
00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:14,920
and country as a whole.
564
00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:17,920
A particular note when walking
through the heart of the island,
565
00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:21,360
you notice the significant
and abundant water infrastructure
566
00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:23,280
that was built all those years ago,
567
00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:24,560
and none of this would've been built
568
00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:27,560
if it wasn't for the huge volume
of rainfall
569
00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:29,400
and large number of rivers
and streams
570
00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:31,600
that flow through the valleys
of Andros.
571
00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,040
This isn't your typical
Cycladic Island
572
00:25:34,120 --> 00:25:35,240
that's brown and dry.
573
00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:37,120
It's actually quite the opposite.
574
00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:40,280
It never ceases to amaze me
575
00:25:40,360 --> 00:25:44,080
how human ingenuity
can exploit nature's gifts.
576
00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:45,920
The early inhabitants of Andros
577
00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:49,320
knew the value
of their abundant water supply.
578
00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:51,320
They channelled it
into their fields,
579
00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:52,680
harnessed its energy
580
00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:55,720
and put it to use to create
an entire industry
581
00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:57,240
based on lemon trees.
582
00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:00,440
What they grew was
exported across the Mediterranean
583
00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:03,440
and subsequently was the catalyst
for the shipping industry
584
00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:06,640
that developed into the powerhouse
you see today.
585
00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:09,280
The industrialisation of the island
was done in a way
586
00:26:09,360 --> 00:26:13,480
that added to the pool of wealth
for all, not just a select few.
587
00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,840
They built infrastructure
that benefited everyone
588
00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:17,960
and empowered people
589
00:26:18,040 --> 00:26:21,400
to be able to improve
the productivity of their land.
590
00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:24,800
It opened Andros and its people
up to the rest of Europe,
591
00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:26,080
which played a role in
592
00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,600
it becoming the cosmopolitan island
you see today.
593
00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:35,280
Apart from the beautiful stonework
of the walls, roads and bridges,
594
00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:37,680
the natural environment
is stunning too.
595
00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:41,960
There are pockets of rainforest
with cooling shade and water holes
596
00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:44,240
that are just begging you
to jump in.
597
00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:46,560
But as much as I would've loved
a quick swim,
598
00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:48,240
we still had a hill to climb.
599
00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:52,800
This gonna be
the highest point on the island?
600
00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:55,400
No, this is not the highest point
of the island.
601
00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:56,560
The highest point of the island
602
00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:59,680
is around 1,000 metres altitude
in Kouvara,
603
00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:01,560
which is the main
central mountain range.
604
00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:02,600
Right.
605
00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:08,360
Here, we will reach the altitude
of almost 600 metres.
606
00:27:08,440 --> 00:27:10,360
600.
Wow.
607
00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:15,200
Well, it's been a good walk
and I always enjoy the finish,
608
00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:18,040
and that view is starting
to look amazing.
609
00:27:18,120 --> 00:27:19,920
Yeah, you can have
a very good overview
610
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:23,240
of the agricultural landscape
of Korsi area here.
611
00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:25,280
Yeah. Wow.
612
00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:28,760
While Olga made it look easy,
613
00:27:28,840 --> 00:27:33,240
by this point I was telling myself,
just take one step at a time.
614
00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:36,600
The views kept me energised
as we gradually climbed
615
00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:38,040
towards the viewpoint.
616
00:27:38,120 --> 00:27:41,800
But not only were we climbing,
the temperature was too.
617
00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:43,120
Man, was it hot.
618
00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:49,920
Olga, all these buildings,
619
00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:52,680
where does the fortress
end and start?
620
00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:56,360
Well, the fortress is like
a natural, you know, fortress,
621
00:27:56,440 --> 00:27:59,520
it's being fortified
by the rock formations,
622
00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:00,760
but also through the walls.
623
00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:04,920
So, we are walking inside
the fort now
624
00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,160
and passing by several ruins.
625
00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:08,920
You can see there.
Yeah.
626
00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:16,360
And also water was important
from what you understand,
627
00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:21,080
people had to survive here
for a long time
628
00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:23,360
without being able to leave
the fort.
629
00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:27,240
So, these are some water systems
that were gathering the rainwater...
630
00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:32,200
and we're gonna reach
the highest point
631
00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:35,720
where we will be able to see
from there the lower castle.
632
00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:39,640
Olga, this is well worth
the long walk.
633
00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:42,440
This is just unbelievable.
634
00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:44,280
And that's Chora over there?
Yes.
635
00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:46,720
We are reaching the highest spot
of the plateau
636
00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,200
where the two fortresses
have the opportunity
637
00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:51,600
to communicate, to see one another.
638
00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:54,640
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
639
00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:05,560
So, what can we see?
We can see Chora.
640
00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:07,600
Yeah.
What else can we see from here?
641
00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:10,400
Well, you can also have,
again, a very good view
642
00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:14,320
of the agricultural activity
taking place all over the fortress.
643
00:29:14,400 --> 00:29:17,000
Huh? You see all the terraces,
the dry stone walls?
644
00:29:17,080 --> 00:29:18,720
And that's Tinos over there?
645
00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:20,440
Tinos and then Mykonos.
646
00:29:20,520 --> 00:29:21,640
And actually from here,
647
00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:23,520
it's so high you can see
the other side of the island,
648
00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:24,920
the west coast as well.
649
00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:27,240
You have also very good view
of the fortification.
650
00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:29,800
I mean, people chose this place
to create the castle
651
00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:32,400
because it had
the natural fortification,
652
00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:34,960
these very high tall rocks.
653
00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:39,440
It was easy to fortress
this location.
654
00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:41,400
Wow, look at this.
655
00:29:41,480 --> 00:29:42,560
Yeah.
656
00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:48,640
What a fitting way to end
what was an eventful, but long hike.
657
00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:49,680
From the lookout
658
00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:52,560
you could see just a fraction
of the scale of development
659
00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:55,880
that has gone into turning
the island into a bread basket
660
00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:57,000
for the region.
661
00:29:57,080 --> 00:29:58,080
Thanks to Olga,
662
00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:00,120
I now have a great appreciation
663
00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:03,600
of just how advanced
the people of Andros were
664
00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:06,640
and also how much effort was put
into the construction
665
00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:08,680
of the agricultural industry.
666
00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:12,080
Just like my effort on today's hike
was rewarded with these views,
667
00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:13,920
the toil of the Andriots
has given them
668
00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:16,320
the fortunate island we see today.
669
00:30:43,800 --> 00:30:44,920
Now, I'd like to smile,
670
00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:47,280
but I can't because
I'm absolutely hammered.
671
00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:49,080
After eight hours
of walking
672
00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:50,920
through this island
with Olga
673
00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:53,720
and going up the castle
through these walks,
674
00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:56,080
down the valley,
through rivers,
675
00:30:56,160 --> 00:30:59,560
my shoulder hurts, my back hurts,
my knees jarred.
676
00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:03,280
And we are meeting Mia Zoi down here
because there's a local fable,
677
00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:06,720
and before I talk about
the local fable, I love history.
678
00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:08,960
You know, that's why we go up
to things like that
679
00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:11,760
and that's why we do all this work
that we do.
680
00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:14,520
But the other thing
I love is mythology.
681
00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:16,560
I love Zeus, titans.
682
00:31:16,640 --> 00:31:17,720
I love all that stuff
683
00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:21,360
because there's so much work
involved in creating these stories
684
00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:25,200
in pagan days before Christ
3,000, 4,000 years ago.
685
00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:27,720
But these local myths,
686
00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,720
these local fables like
Tis Grias to Pidima
687
00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:32,360
and that's what
this beach is called,
688
00:31:32,440 --> 00:31:34,160
it's the leap of the old lady.
689
00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:37,920
And apparently
she was up there in the castle,
690
00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:41,520
she opened the doors
to the Ottomans, let them in.
691
00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:43,520
She felt really bad
'cause it got attacked,
692
00:31:43,600 --> 00:31:47,680
and then she jumped from up there
all the way down to this spot.
693
00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:51,920
She must have had wings, jumped
in the water, died and petrified,
694
00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:53,720
and that's why that rock
apparently looks like
695
00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:55,320
an old lady with a scarf on.
696
00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:57,080
Can you see that? Well, I can't.
697
00:31:57,160 --> 00:32:00,240
Anyway, that's why
I'm not a fan of the fables,
698
00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:01,840
the ones that are local
to an island,
699
00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:03,840
because I've heard this before
in Kythnos.
700
00:32:03,920 --> 00:32:05,880
Anyway, I'm gonna walk down.
701
00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:08,640
It's gonna be sort of a walk down
and maybe get in for a swim
702
00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:10,640
and go back home to Mia Zoi.
703
00:32:16,760 --> 00:32:18,440
By the way,
it's your birthday today.
704
00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:24,760
I didn't need to be reminded that
today my body was another year older
705
00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:27,400
and on the wrong side
of its physical peak.
706
00:32:27,480 --> 00:32:30,120
Celebrating was the last thing
on my mind.
707
00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:34,320
I just wanted to stick my feet
in the beautiful Aegean Sea.
708
00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:37,240
Swimming seemed like
more physical work.
709
00:32:37,320 --> 00:32:39,480
Oh. Oh, that's good.
710
00:32:41,080 --> 00:32:44,920
Normally, I would've stripped off
and swam back to Mia Zoi,
711
00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,120
so clearly I was exhausted,
712
00:32:47,200 --> 00:32:50,720
but that cold water
lapping against my aching legs
713
00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:51,920
was a godsend.
714
00:32:53,040 --> 00:32:54,080
Come and get me.
715
00:32:58,240 --> 00:32:59,280
Come and get me.
716
00:33:00,760 --> 00:33:03,320
Thankfully, captain was keeping
an eye out for me
717
00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:06,040
and saw me hobbling down
to the water's edge.
718
00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:08,800
A simple hand signal,
and he was on his way over.
719
00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:11,840
(GROOVY MUSIC)
720
00:33:18,160 --> 00:33:20,680
If there was one thing
that was going to reenergise me,
721
00:33:20,760 --> 00:33:26,520
it was the rumble of Mia Zoi's twin
2,800 horsepower MTU engines.
722
00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:28,160
There's something about that sound
723
00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:30,280
and having the rush of the wind
and water
724
00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:32,160
that brings me back to life,
725
00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:34,600
even after the roughest of days.
726
00:33:34,680 --> 00:33:38,560
We motored quickly around the coast
taking advantage of the calm sea.
727
00:33:38,640 --> 00:33:40,600
This part of the island
is quite arid
728
00:33:40,680 --> 00:33:43,800
with few beaches
and several rocky alcoves.
729
00:33:43,880 --> 00:33:45,560
It looks rugged and exposed,
730
00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:47,880
and with very few places
to safely anchor,
731
00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:48,920
you can understand
732
00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:51,640
why there are no major settlements
here.
733
00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:54,640
I love sharing with you
all the unique things
734
00:33:54,720 --> 00:33:56,880
about the various islands
that we go through,
735
00:33:56,960 --> 00:33:59,520
but there are some places
that you'll never ever get to
736
00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:01,080
unless you've got a boat.
737
00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:02,480
So, I had to stop here
738
00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:05,960
and show you this
wonderful south coast of Andros.
739
00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:07,360
The water mills are down there.
740
00:34:07,440 --> 00:34:10,160
How they got down here
and built them, I have no idea.
741
00:34:10,240 --> 00:34:12,720
But what I really wanted to show you
was what's up here,
742
00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:16,040
and it's typical
of many Cycladic islands,
743
00:34:16,120 --> 00:34:18,080
but no more prevalent than here.
744
00:34:18,160 --> 00:34:21,960
These beautiful boundary walls
that have this orthostats,
745
00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:25,800
this vertical piece of schist
every couple of metres.
746
00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:28,160
My good friend
Nigel McGilchrist says
747
00:34:28,240 --> 00:34:31,880
they look like
loose linked necklaces or teeth
748
00:34:31,960 --> 00:34:35,280
'cause the sun shines off
the orthostats
749
00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:38,160
and it's a really picturesque look.
750
00:34:38,240 --> 00:34:39,360
Something different, anyway.
751
00:34:41,440 --> 00:34:42,520
It's just wow.
752
00:34:45,840 --> 00:34:49,960
To put the extensive system of walls
and terracing into context,
753
00:34:50,040 --> 00:34:55,720
it took my grandfather 13 years
to build a 6ft-high stone wall
754
00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:58,160
around his quarter acre garden,
755
00:34:58,240 --> 00:35:00,680
and that was just to keep
the animals out.
756
00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:03,520
Here, there are several kilometres
of stonework.
757
00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:05,120
It would've taken many generations
758
00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:08,240
to put each one of these rocks
in place.
759
00:35:08,320 --> 00:35:09,320
On a normal day,
760
00:35:09,400 --> 00:35:12,880
these remote beaches afford
plenty of privacy.
761
00:35:12,960 --> 00:35:15,120
So, we left the nudists
to enjoy the sun
762
00:35:15,200 --> 00:35:17,360
and made our way
further around the coast
763
00:35:17,440 --> 00:35:19,680
to one of the best beaches
on the island,
764
00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:21,760
one where the people are clothed.
765
00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:25,480
Andros is renowned,
like Chios and Nousas
766
00:35:25,560 --> 00:35:30,080
for its history of 250 years
in the maritime industry.
767
00:35:31,440 --> 00:35:33,600
But there's more history to Andros
768
00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:37,680
than just the maritime industry
of the last couple of 100 years.
769
00:35:37,760 --> 00:35:39,920
If you travel along the west coast,
770
00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:44,040
there is a treasure trove
of ancient settlements
771
00:35:44,120 --> 00:35:48,040
from 6,000 years ago,
right through to 1,000 years ago.
772
00:35:48,120 --> 00:35:52,760
There's Zorkila, there's Ypsili,
there's Palaiopoli, there's Zagora,
773
00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:57,120
all wonderful settlements,
but there's really not a lot to see.
774
00:35:57,200 --> 00:35:59,600
You're probably better off
spending 4 euro
775
00:35:59,680 --> 00:36:01,280
and going
to the archaeological museum
776
00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:02,560
in Chora.
777
00:36:02,640 --> 00:36:05,600
For me,
travelling up this beautiful coast,
778
00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:07,240
I think we need to explore
779
00:36:07,320 --> 00:36:10,280
the beautiful beaches
like Apothikes,
780
00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:12,360
and every beach is different.
781
00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:15,720
Some you can get to by car,
some you can only walk down to,
782
00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:17,240
some you can only get to by boat.
783
00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:20,800
Some are abandoned
and you can go bathing naked.
784
00:36:20,880 --> 00:36:21,960
Not for me.
785
00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:25,440
And there are some that have got
organised beaches with beautiful
786
00:36:25,520 --> 00:36:28,200
(SPEAKS GREEK) as we say in Greek.
787
00:36:28,280 --> 00:36:30,480
So, I think this is my swim time.
788
00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:35,440
Looks great out there.
789
00:36:41,520 --> 00:36:42,640
The good news is
790
00:36:42,720 --> 00:36:45,280
most of the beaches
are accessible by car.
791
00:36:45,360 --> 00:36:48,240
The roads might be
a bit steep and bumpy,
792
00:36:48,320 --> 00:36:50,680
but rest assured
it's worth the effort.
793
00:36:50,760 --> 00:36:53,520
You can also be confident
of getting a parking spot
794
00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:56,480
because I can't imagine
any of these hidden gems
795
00:36:56,560 --> 00:36:57,640
ever getting crowded.
796
00:36:59,520 --> 00:37:03,120
Andros seems to have
two very different personalities.
797
00:37:03,200 --> 00:37:05,640
The west coast is dry and brown.
798
00:37:05,720 --> 00:37:08,280
However, across the majority
of Andros,
799
00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:10,160
the land is green and luscious,
800
00:37:10,240 --> 00:37:12,800
more like the sporadic islands
to the north
801
00:37:12,880 --> 00:37:16,000
and many of the Ionian Islands
to the west of the mainland.
802
00:37:16,080 --> 00:37:18,280
This is what's
wonderful about Greece.
803
00:37:18,360 --> 00:37:21,280
There are so many
diverse environmental conditions
804
00:37:21,360 --> 00:37:23,520
that create varying microclimates
805
00:37:23,600 --> 00:37:26,040
and subsequently
the different characteristics
806
00:37:26,120 --> 00:37:27,440
of each island.
807
00:37:27,520 --> 00:37:28,960
While there are plenty
of similarities
808
00:37:29,040 --> 00:37:32,840
within the island groups,
no two places are ever the same.
809
00:37:32,920 --> 00:37:34,920
This goes
not only for the landscapes,
810
00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:36,440
but the culture too.
811
00:37:36,520 --> 00:37:38,840
On the surface,
they may appear alike.
812
00:37:38,920 --> 00:37:40,000
Dig a little deeper
813
00:37:40,080 --> 00:37:43,480
and you'll find the quirks
that make them all very unique.
814
00:37:43,560 --> 00:37:46,520
Captions edited by Ai-Media
ai-media.tv
815
00:38:01,480 --> 00:38:02,840
To celebrate my birthday,
816
00:38:02,920 --> 00:38:04,280
captain Yani and the crew
817
00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:06,320
wanted to take me
to a special tavern,
818
00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:08,800
so we motored halfway up
the western coast
819
00:38:08,880 --> 00:38:11,280
to the portside village of Batsi.
820
00:38:11,360 --> 00:38:14,240
The cruise takes you past
mountainous landscapes
821
00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:17,800
along a stretch of coast
that's fairly uninhabited,
822
00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:19,280
but rounding a headland,
823
00:38:19,360 --> 00:38:21,160
the wide harbour opens up
824
00:38:21,240 --> 00:38:25,160
and you're confronted with views
of the expansive port's village.
825
00:38:25,240 --> 00:38:28,080
It's picture perfect
for a celebration like this.
826
00:38:29,920 --> 00:38:31,240
Outside of Chora,
827
00:38:31,320 --> 00:38:34,680
Batsi is the next port of call
for tourists visiting Andros.
828
00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:37,480
It has similar architecture
and energy to the capitol,
829
00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:39,400
just scaled down a little bit.
830
00:38:39,480 --> 00:38:41,800
The round harbour
and protected water
831
00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:44,480
made this the perfect place
for a fishing village.
832
00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:45,800
And from humble beginnings,
833
00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:49,080
it grew to the affluent
and pretty town you see today.
834
00:38:51,200 --> 00:38:54,920
Despite there being thousands
of tourists coming here every year,
835
00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:58,400
there's still that
sleepy fishing village atmosphere.
836
00:38:58,480 --> 00:39:00,600
It has views, waterside restaurants
837
00:39:00,680 --> 00:39:03,720
and nearby beaches that rival
the best you'll find anywhere.
838
00:39:03,800 --> 00:39:08,200
Yet Batsi remains a place
that only those in the know come to.
839
00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:10,480
Captain and Kyriako
fall into that category,
840
00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:11,960
hence knowing exactly
841
00:39:12,040 --> 00:39:13,840
where we should be dining
that night.
842
00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:16,440
But before any celebrations
got underway,
843
00:39:16,520 --> 00:39:19,720
I spent that late afternoon
walking around the port,
844
00:39:19,800 --> 00:39:21,960
taking in the stunning sunset.
845
00:39:22,040 --> 00:39:23,400
No matter how old I get,
846
00:39:23,480 --> 00:39:26,560
I'll never stop appreciating
the beauty of that golden light.
847
00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:47,120
Yamas! Yamas!
Yamas!
848
00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:49,120
There's no better birthday,
sir.
849
00:39:51,360 --> 00:39:52,520
No better birthday, sir.
850
00:39:55,280 --> 00:39:56,240
I've often said that
851
00:39:56,320 --> 00:39:58,400
it's not so much the place
you're in,
852
00:39:58,480 --> 00:40:01,800
but the people you're there with
that matters most.
853
00:40:01,880 --> 00:40:02,920
In this instance,
854
00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:05,920
I was blessed with
not only beautiful surroundings,
855
00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:09,080
but more importantly
people that are special to me.
856
00:40:09,160 --> 00:40:12,440
It's these experiences
that become the most memorable,
857
00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:16,280
not the expensive meal
or the luxurious surrounds,
858
00:40:16,360 --> 00:40:20,440
but the intimacy of spending time
with friends and family
859
00:40:20,520 --> 00:40:23,880
sharing laughs
and being in that moment.
860
00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:25,920
To cap off our fantastic night,
861
00:40:26,000 --> 00:40:28,880
captain and Kyriako
put on a firework show,
862
00:40:28,960 --> 00:40:31,280
and I needed that
little extra spark,
863
00:40:31,360 --> 00:40:33,320
as this was the first birthday
864
00:40:33,400 --> 00:40:36,760
Helen had missed
in 33 years of wedded bliss.
865
00:40:38,920 --> 00:40:40,880
(BELLS TOLL)
866
00:40:43,600 --> 00:40:47,120
The tolling of the bells
signalled our departure from Andros
867
00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:49,720
and arriving in neighbouring Tinos.
868
00:40:49,800 --> 00:40:51,080
We had made
our way south
869
00:40:51,160 --> 00:40:52,640
just a handful
of kilometres
870
00:40:52,720 --> 00:40:53,960
to an island famed
871
00:40:54,040 --> 00:40:55,960
for its religious
devotees.
872
00:40:56,040 --> 00:40:58,840
It's only a couple of hours
ferry ride from Piraeus,
873
00:40:58,920 --> 00:41:02,000
so it gets a lot of Athenians
coming for the weekend.
874
00:41:02,080 --> 00:41:04,480
There's around 6,000 people
living here,
875
00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:07,480
which is more than half the island's
total population.
876
00:41:08,560 --> 00:41:10,400
Within eyesight of Mykonos,
877
00:41:10,480 --> 00:41:13,320
Greece's modern day
capital of hedonism,
878
00:41:13,400 --> 00:41:16,600
Tinos couldn't be
any more diametrically opposed.
879
00:41:16,680 --> 00:41:21,040
Here, they celebrate the dove
with over 1,000 pigeon houses
880
00:41:21,120 --> 00:41:22,960
dotted all over the island.
881
00:41:23,040 --> 00:41:26,960
And with the third most important
ecclesiastical institution
882
00:41:27,040 --> 00:41:29,000
in all of the Greek world,
883
00:41:29,080 --> 00:41:32,680
pilgrims come from everywhere
to start at the port,
884
00:41:32,760 --> 00:41:36,000
crawling on their hands and knees
for 500 metres
885
00:41:36,080 --> 00:41:39,600
all the way
up to the church of Evangelistria,
886
00:41:39,680 --> 00:41:42,760
and yet there are more Catholics
on this island
887
00:41:42,840 --> 00:41:45,000
than any other in the Aegean.
888
00:41:45,080 --> 00:41:49,840
So, when you've finished exploiting
your body over in Mykonos,
889
00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:53,840
hop over to Tinos
and purify the soul.
890
00:41:53,920 --> 00:41:55,360
(BELLS TOLL)
891
00:41:57,280 --> 00:41:58,880
Whether you like it or not,
892
00:41:58,960 --> 00:42:02,240
religion has largely shaped
the world we live in today.
893
00:42:02,320 --> 00:42:04,000
Different faiths have
had their impact
894
00:42:04,080 --> 00:42:08,600
on the way people think,
behave, eat, interact, everything.
895
00:42:08,680 --> 00:42:12,600
Even the non-religious aren't immune
to the influence of faith.
896
00:42:12,680 --> 00:42:16,160
Those outside the faith
are always fascinated by the lengths
897
00:42:16,240 --> 00:42:20,120
at which some are willing to go
in order to practice their religion.
898
00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:22,360
Take Dimitra here as an example,
899
00:42:22,440 --> 00:42:25,680
on a pilgrimage
supported by her husband, Vangelis.
900
00:42:25,760 --> 00:42:27,480
And like many others before her,
901
00:42:27,560 --> 00:42:30,680
she's willing to crawl
on her hands and knees
902
00:42:30,760 --> 00:42:34,600
from the port all the way
up to Panagia Evangelistria.
903
00:42:34,680 --> 00:42:36,840
Even those that have no religion
904
00:42:36,920 --> 00:42:39,280
would find
this incredibly empowering.
905
00:42:41,000 --> 00:42:44,120
Within the walls of the church
is an important icon
906
00:42:44,200 --> 00:42:48,600
that miraculously appeared
on January 30, 1823,
907
00:42:48,680 --> 00:42:52,280
after a six-month search was sparked
by a dream a nun had
908
00:42:52,360 --> 00:42:54,720
about an icon buried in a field.
909
00:42:54,800 --> 00:42:57,360
Part of what made
this such a powerful symbol
910
00:42:57,440 --> 00:42:59,960
is that it was discovered
during an important period
911
00:43:00,040 --> 00:43:02,280
of the Greek War of Independence.
912
00:43:02,360 --> 00:43:04,640
News of this miracle spread
around the country
913
00:43:04,720 --> 00:43:06,840
and inspired hope
amongst the faithful.
914
00:43:06,920 --> 00:43:09,920
In many ways,
it became a rallying sign.
915
00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:12,480
It drew thousands of people
from across the country,
916
00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:15,480
including many important figures
from the revolution.
917
00:43:15,560 --> 00:43:17,720
They arrived to pay their respects
to the icon
918
00:43:17,800 --> 00:43:20,120
and drew strength
from the experience.
919
00:43:20,200 --> 00:43:21,520
That may well have bolstered them
920
00:43:21,600 --> 00:43:22,840
during the fight
against the Ottomans.
921
00:43:22,920 --> 00:43:24,600
200 years later,
922
00:43:24,680 --> 00:43:25,640
it continues to be
923
00:43:25,720 --> 00:43:27,760
one of the most
important religious sites
924
00:43:27,840 --> 00:43:28,880
in the country.
925
00:43:30,800 --> 00:43:34,200
I remember my mother talking about
making her pilgrimage to Tinos.
926
00:43:34,280 --> 00:43:35,280
At the time,
927
00:43:35,360 --> 00:43:38,320
I didn't fully understand
or appreciate why,
928
00:43:38,400 --> 00:43:40,320
but witnessing
these people here today
929
00:43:40,400 --> 00:43:44,280
crawling such a long distance
up the hill, made me emotional.
930
00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:45,520
For the first time
931
00:43:45,600 --> 00:43:48,160
I could picture my mother
doing exactly the same,
932
00:43:48,240 --> 00:43:49,520
enduring the suffering
933
00:43:49,600 --> 00:43:51,320
as a means to show the sacrifice
934
00:43:51,400 --> 00:43:53,920
she was willing to make
for her beliefs.
935
00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:56,200
What also moved me
during this experience
936
00:43:56,280 --> 00:43:59,040
was the support that Vangelis
was giving his wife.
937
00:43:59,120 --> 00:44:01,760
He respected the pilgrimage
she wanted to undertake,
938
00:44:01,840 --> 00:44:04,400
and showed great compassion
for her experience.
939
00:44:04,480 --> 00:44:05,440
I couldn't help
940
00:44:05,520 --> 00:44:08,480
but feel a certain amount of joy
from seeing Dimitra
941
00:44:08,560 --> 00:44:11,440
cover those final few metres
into the church.
942
00:44:12,760 --> 00:44:14,760
In the final episode of this series,
943
00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:17,160
I'm continuing my time
exploring Tinos.
944
00:44:17,240 --> 00:44:18,480
While it might be home
945
00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:21,240
to one of Greece's
most important religious sites,
946
00:44:21,320 --> 00:44:24,800
there are plenty of other reasons
to visit this fascinating island.
947
00:44:24,880 --> 00:44:25,920
Amongst other things,
948
00:44:26,000 --> 00:44:28,480
I'll be checking out
some of its stunning beaches
949
00:44:28,560 --> 00:44:30,840
and learning
about the famed dovecotes,
950
00:44:30,920 --> 00:44:31,880
as well as
meeting
951
00:44:31,960 --> 00:44:33,320
a popular Greek
personality
952
00:44:33,400 --> 00:44:34,360
who has found
a quiet corner
953
00:44:34,440 --> 00:44:35,400
of the island
954
00:44:35,480 --> 00:44:36,720
to make her home.
955
00:44:38,360 --> 00:44:41,320
Captioned by Ai-Media
ai-media.tv
76138
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.