Sand Orchids of Greece

One of the most captivating sights when I was in Greece last fall, is finding orchids growing profusely in the sandy beaches along the coast of the beautiful Aegean Sea.

My first sighting was on a hike to find Paradise Beach located on the northeast shore of Santorini. I love orchids and know that they are the only plants that do not need soil to survive; soil is bad for the plants because it cuts off air circulation at the roots and blocks the drainage of water.

Amazed by this discovery of orchids growing in the sand and not in a tropical forest, I took a couple of photographs.



The next time I saw an array of sand orchids, they were growing on Plakia Beach in southern Crete. In fact, I sat in the middle of them under the shade of a tree and did a quick sketch before I jumped in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea.


Now, I am taking the time to recreate that feeling in a watercolor painting.

Ahhhh....to be in Crete again :)

Day Two in Naxos

Since I was staying in a studio room in Plaka about 100 yard from this lovely beach, I woke each morning and swam in the Aegean Sea.


While navigating the maze of streets in Kastro the day before, I met a German woman, Johanna, and we became fast friends. My second day in Naxos, we took the bus up the hillside to the historic village of Halki which was once the center of Naxian commerce and full of handsome facades of old villas and tower houses.



The artists Katharina Bolesch and Alexander Reichardt were highly recommended in the Lonely Planet book and I now know why. We spent at least an hour in their lovely gallery!

Next, a hike up the hillside where we foraged for figs & grapes.




We returned for a swim at Agia Anna Beach followed with dinner as we watched the sunset over the island of Paros.






Another perfect day, except that there was no time for painting.

Tomorrow Santorini.....

The Island of Naxos

Naxos is the Greek Island next door to Paros and my next island of adventure. When you watch the sunset from Plaka Beach on Naxos, it sets behind the Island of Paros.


Near Naxos port of Hora is the Temple of Apollo. I am told that viewing the sunset through this portal is awesome.


Here is the view of Hora from the Temple of Apollo


and the Aegean Sea


Notice the castle in this photo of Hora. I went in search of this castle through the maze of streets in the historic section of Kastro. My British friends suggested that I find this incredible silversmith.........and I did!



In the process of exploration, I learned about the Naxos Eye; a special stone that can only been found on the island of Naxos and created by the combination of the Greek sea, sun and other climatic conditions. The Naxos Eye remains one of the trademarks of Naxos.

I was too busy exploring and never sat still (except to eat!) long enough to sketch or paint!