Charity concert at the open theater of Paralio Astros

ΘΕΑΤΡΟ ΠΑΡΑΛΙΟΥ ΑΣΤΡΟΥΣ ΣΥΝΑΥΛΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΟΡΑ ΝΕΟΥ ΑΣΘΕΝΟΦΟΡΟΥ 

A concert was held last night at the open theater of Paralio Astros featuring traditional Greek music.  The concert was a fund raising drive (by the Association of Friends of Astros Health Center Σύλλογος Φίλων Κέντρου Υγείας Άστρους) for adding new ambulance vehicles to the (Mesogeio) Astros Healh Center.  By the way, the (Mesogeio) Astros Health Center provides the basic health care needs of the North Kynouria region. Since Paralio Astros has no health care center, if there is an accident while vacationing in Paralio Astros, the Astros Health Ceter will assess the complexity of the problem, and assist patients on whatever it can do within its limited resources (manpower and medical equipment), but more difficult operations are handled in Argos or Tripoli hospitals, which are at least 30 to 45 minutes away, not only more ambulance vehicles are needed, if we have more generous donors, a helicopter will be nice for the region...

I went to the concert just to support the cause, and was not preparing to take any photos, but upon arrival at the theater, a friend informed me that the Association of Culture & Friends of Paralio Astros would like me to provide a few pictures from the concert for its records, so I took some photos and videos with no brighter flash, no tri-pot, and simply by capturing the moment when the concert's light was at its maximum brightness, but with the concert's flashing light (and changing color too), this is by far the most challenging task for an amateur like me.

I like the instruments they played and the songs they sang alothough I couldn't join the rest of the crowd to sing as none of the songs are familiar to me but I really enjoyed the concert.  It's the best concert (and the most crowded I observed) at the open theater of Paralio Astros this summer.    

You can also view my short videos from the charity concert featuring traditional musical instruments (1st video below). Yerasimos Andreatos Γεράσιμος Ανδρεάτος (2nd video) , and little kids danced to the music (3rd video).

Beaches and diving fun in Paralio Astros

Paralio Astros has many different types of beaches:

Ververna beach (aka Palio Hano) Παραλία Κάτω Βέρβενα (Παλιόχανο) near the exit from the highway is very shallow and sandy, suitable for kids and beginners.

Atsiganos beach Παραλία Ατσίγγανος is sandy but with bothersome seaweeds, in my opinion is the worst beach for swimming in Paralio Astros, however it is the most crowded beach maybe because the beach bar operators there know how to attract customers, e.g. by holding beach dance parties? free beach lounge chairs? just guessing...

Kalisto beach Παραλία Καλλιστώ near taverna Lagoudera Λαγουδέρα and Plaz Πλάζ is the first organized beach in the Argolic Gulf, and is where sea water sample is collected for "blue flag" testing.  The beach has pebbles, but it is mixed with sand just a few meters further into the sea.  There is an orange-colored lifeguard post (but no life guard working), a shower, and a change cabin.  I have no idea in which month the water sample is taken, but in the summer time the water quality doesn't look as good as it used to be some 10 years ago because Paralio Astros has expanded as a summer resort without good planning and is awaiting for a household sewage connection project to take place.  When the tourists and part-time residents are gone after summer peak season the water quality is much better, but then the sea temperature is cooler for swimming.  

The main beach of Paralio Astros is quite long, it starts from the shorter dock (Del Mar Cafe-Restaurant Bar) continues to the above mentioned Kalisto area, then to Cafe Bythos, Cafe Movita, Bloom, La Nuna, Camping Thirea, Portes, etc. further to the Moustos Wetland.  The most sandy parts of the beach are between the Bloom and Camping Thirea, whereas Portes is considered as the end of Paralio Astros' beach because the very last beach bar is there.

The diver's beach is after the mermaid statue located at the longer dock (i.e. turn left at the center square στρίψτε αριστερά στιν πλατεία), where the open theater of Paralio Astros is located.  The mini beach there (and shrinking gradually year after year) is called Brahakia Βραχάκια (meaning rocks).  Near the Theater Cafe Bar, there are steps leading to the diving spots - there are approximately 3 levels of heights, this area is a natural training ground for diving.  But many kids also dive from the big rock with a Greek flag "Κότρωνα", or some further from the rocks near the area behind the old navy lighthouse without their parents' knowledge or simply seeking risky adventure, therefore, there are diving spots nicknamed "death 1", "death 2", and "mega death", etc.  I prohibit my children from diving from these "death" spots.

Here are some photos from diving fun near the Theater Cafe (clicking each picture will give you enlarged view) , to see the rest you may go to this link.

 This is the Theater Cafe where you find steps leading to the diving spots

 kids as well as adults are lining up for their turns to dive

 As you can see, there are 3 different heights of diving

 Looking ahead, the scenery is quite beautiful across the gulf

 taking off 1 of 3

 in the air 2 of 3

 splash...plunging into the sea 3 of 3

 Looking to the right from the diving spot is the longer dock

 Looking to the left is the open sea towards the direction of Island Spetses

 more risky diving spot near the wild figs

ask your chilredn and they will tell you all the risky diving spots

 dangerous precision diving spot

Photo exhibition of the early 20th century Paralio Astros

The Association of Culture and Friends of Paralio Astros is holding an exhibition of old photographs from the early 20th century Paralio Astros.  The exhibition place is at the Public School of Paralio Astros (between the Seaside Wet Bar and the Mavroyianni Taverna), the exhibition dates are from August 18th to 26th, viewing hours are daily from 18:00 to 22:00, admission is free, all are welcome.

The oldest Zafilopoulos Castle photo that exists was taken in 1898 and it shows that the wall was intact then

This little future "Astro"naut has visited the Astros old photo exhibition, have you?

The Association of Culture and Friends of Paralio Astros has its website at www.astrosparalio.gr (Η ιστοσελίδα των Πολιτών & των Φίλων του Παραλίου Άστρους είναι www.astrosparalio.gr) and it is the best website for reading the past history, culture, and old photos of Paralio Astros.

Unfortunately, it is in Greek with only some selected topics in English, so I read it with some difficulty using the Google Translator.

The website is administered by a volunteer (retired caption) and sponsored by some volunteers, but I hope the local businessmen of Paralio Astros can pay more attention to sponsoring such a wonderful website.

Possible related topic from my previous other blog posts: bird photo exhibition, Taiwan artist exhibition.

Tigani beach in Kynouria - Παραλία Τηγάνι

According to the ekathimerini's report (the very last paragraph of the report) on Trivago's data:

Tripadvisor users ranked three Greek beaches among the best 10 in Europe. Top of the list was the Shipwreck beach on Zakynthos, Lefkada’s Egremni was in fifth place, while Elafonisos of Crete came in seventh.

I have not been to any of the above beaches, hopefully someday I will visit them.

The beach I like the most in Kynouria is the Tigani beach (in Greek language this word means "frying pan"), but most people would just stay around in Paralio Astros because its beach is quite long and the water is warm plus according to the blueflag org, Paralio Astros's beach is clean.

However, the Tigani beach is an excellent alternative because it's not far (driving within 45 minutes from Astros), it has a lot to offer - much cleaner water, a small cave giving shade when the sun is scorching, paddle boat and canoe rental on the beach, a beach volleyball field (its sand should have been thicker to prevent injury on a fall), beach bars and tavernas on the beach.

The Tigani beach is the beach right after Zaritsi beach Παραλία Ζαρίτσι and immediately before the Tiros-Sanpounakaiika beach Παραλία Τυρού-Σαπουνακαιίκων.  Ιf you want to learn all the beaches in Kynouria, just go to this map on the "visit Kynouria" site.