About three kilometres from the end of Mylopotas, after we have ascended about 200 metres, between the road and the sea, stands the beautiful little church of the Panayia tis Mersinias, which celebrates its festival on the 23rd of August.

A little way below the Panayia tis Mersinias is the beach of Sapounochoma, with its striking green rocks. But it can be reached only from the sea. About a kilometre beyond the point where the road passes the church of the Panayia tis Mersinias is a side road to the right that leads to the chapel of Ayia Ekaterini. We continue along the main road and, after about three kilometres, come to the church of Ayios Dimitrios on our left. The road soon veers left towards the interior of the island, after which it comes to the intersection for Kalamos, where we turn left. Shortly after the turn, there is a surprise in store.

On a small plateau next to a steep, jagged rock, stands the gleaming white complex of the monastery of Ayios loannis. A paved path, with whitewashed joints between the paving stones, an imposing, two-storey bell-tower with a series of arches, through which we enter the church forecourt, a beautiful church opposite, with the ancillary rooms around it - all of an impressive, white, cleanliness.

The great day for the monastery is the 29th of August, though worshippers begin to arrive the evening of the day before, for vespers. After vespers, boiled goat is proffered, followed by festivities with local musical instruments, dances and songs. The celebrations go on till morning when, because it's a fast day, everyone is offered bean soup.

We leave the monastery impressed and go on to the beach of Kalamos. The road has now begun to descend towards the east coast of the island. A little more patience and we shall soon see the large bay of Kalamos before us, with its white beach.

The beach has the shape of a large horseshoe. Beyond it, as far as the eye can see, are more beaches, even more isolated like Plakes, where the road seems to end. In the ravine are a few rural houses, built a good distance from each other, forming a small settlement. At the right of the large beach rises a rocky hill with a house and a sheep-pen. If you run the risk of the owner's dogs and get to the top of the hill, you will enjoy a unique view. The colours of the sea cover the entire spectrum from blue to turquoise and green. Before the hill, the road descends steeply and comes to the beach, before going on to Plakes. At this point we are some 20 kilometres from the harbour of los.

Find one of Ios hotels to leave your suitcases and take a Tour to Ios as soon as possible to admire its beauties. One of the greatest hotels on the island is Far Out Hotel.