Greek Isles: Levita

Exploring Greece by sailboat certainly had it's advantages. Being able to stop at the tiny island of Levita was one of those advantages. Too small to attract a ferry, WAY too small for anything so ostentatious as a cruise ship terminal. With practically no natural resources, except perhaps an abundance of open land to raise goats, Levita is one of those places that truly feels forgotten in time and history.

Levita:

Population: 1,000 goats, 20 sheep, 3 donkies and 5 humans.

Buildings: Three

Electricity: Generator

Dock: Anchorage

Happy, happy, happy, happy Christy.


One family lives on the island. They raise goats and sheep, which live free-range over the sparsely vegetated, rocky terrain. They run a small restaurant, which you are (unofficially) expected to eat at in exchange for using an anchorage in the perfect little harbor.

An afternoon hike. A great meal. Sleeping on deck under a bright, starry span that went on forever. An early swim in the perfectly clear Mediterranean sea. Levita is on my list of best places visited. Ever.

No wind in most of the Dodecanese at this time, so we motored from Kos to Kalymnos to Levita.

A brutal (no trail, uneven, crumbly, rocky terrain, juniper and other thorny, ouchy brush) three-hour hike from harbor to farthest point to see the ruins of an old Roman lighthouse and a shipwreck. Fail and fail. Neither were visible. But the hike was great exercize.

 Sunset shot of one of the three buildings on the island, the restaurant. The menu included your choice of Goat Kebab, Goat ribs or Goat Meatballs. All served with fries and veggies. I'll have the goat. (It was actually quite tasty.)

All tucked in for the evening.

 Sunset over the dinghy - our mode of transport to the mainland.

Waking to crystal clear waters , 19 feet deep, and diving in: Sheer, uninhibited bliss.

When visiting Levita:

DON'T

-Wear flipflops while hiking, or you'll break your shoes (like the girl who was hiking with me) and probably your ankle.  

-Bother looking for a beach. Not here.

-Be intimidated by the crazy friendly donkey. Emphasis on CRAZY. 

-Forget to close the gates behind you. The animals will get out.

DO

-Bring enough water and snacks for the hike across the island. It'll take 3-4 hours. I misjudged the distance, estimating 1.5-2 hours and didn't take enough resources.

-Slather on the sunblock.

-Sleep under the stars on the deck of your boat. Amazing.

-Go for a morning swim in crystal-clear waters while listening to holiday music. (Madonna's Holiday and La Isla Bonita will set the scene most appropriately).

-Try the goat!