Skala Old Town

One hot morning, we decided to visit the old town of Skala which was up in the hills. This once prosperous village with its church and olive pressing factory was brought to ruin in 1953 in the great Keffalonian earthquake, where many people lost their homes and lives. We had to leave quite early before it got too warm, and our guidebook also told us that we must wear a hat (though Mum never did). After preparing supplies, we started our ascent, passing a holiday rep who was preparing himself for his Sunday morning shift. Along the winding road, we spotted hillside goats as well as remembrance shrines alongside newly built holiday homes. The town’s spring still remains, and efforts to rebuild a second church have already begun. The views from the top were spectacular, and it was a real shame that we were too early for the tavern to open; though a passing party of Germans decided to wait it out in the beer garden. Instead, we returned to the village for breakfast then cooled off with a paddle in the sea.