PserimosPserimos is 6 nautical miles from Kalymnos and just 4.2 nautical miles from the closest shores of Kos. It's hilly with an altitude of 268 metres and small valleys. It is the 83rd. island in population rankings and 74th. as defined by its area, of all Greek islands. The depth of its seas range from 5 to 90 metres. The population is in constant decline, whereby in 1974 it had 264 inhabitants and only 79 in 1991. It is uncertain as to the current number of people residing there, but it is claimed to be in the high teens to low twenties.
In fact, during the last ten years, significant (by islands standards) public works were made, including the building of the breakwater, electrification and the availability of on-tap spring water. Aulakia, the island's tiny harbour village, is home to no more than a few dozen residents, mostly making their living from the tour boats that tie up every day to discharge their passengers. Visitors are fascinated by the peace and landscape in addition to the welcoming hospitality of the islanders. It is a paradise for the nature-lover as it has neither roads nor cars; similar to the island of Telendos situated on the opposite side of Kalymnos. It has a few rooms for rent, tavernas and crafts products available.
In the summer time particularly, many Greek and foreign tourists visit the island on short sojourns on yachts from the city of Kos, Tingaki which is also in Kos, and from Pothia in Kalymnos Greece. The ships anchor at the Pserimos bay (Aulakia) There are but a couple of tavernas, a restaurant, and a tiny hotel with very limited accommodation so, if like us, you are going to make your own way there, make sure you have pre-booked a room. So what will cause this heavenly idyll to suddenly appear upon the tourist trail? It will have to be its stunning beach: wide, sandy, and with a gently shelved drop into the sea. You can swim out as far as the harbour and still be in only 6 to 8 feet of water. The day we were there in April we saw no more than 10 people on the beach, the majority of these having arrived on their own boats and were taking a quick 'dip' to cool off, before setting sail again.
I met a senior executive from an international company based in New York who spends his whole working life in meetings and entertaining clients; his life was one big rush. He said, "this place is the perfect antidote for my whole life-style, I could stay here forever, given the opportunity". If you seek tranquility and relative solitude, then catch Pserimos VERY QUICKLY because in 5 year's time, the rest of the world will have discovered this beautiful place that will be a backwater no more.
Retrun to Kalymnos Greece from Pserimos |
