Mamma Mia!
Even if you are not a fan (Becky is, I’ve seen it, enjoyed it, but wouldn’t call myself a fan) if you find yourself on Skopelos you probably should take a pilgrimage to Agios Ioannis Chapel, aka the church on the rock made famous in the film Mamma Mia. We booked a mini-bus tour from Skopelos Travel for 35 euros each, to include taking us to the chapel for about an hour, then taking us to a “Mamma Mia beach” – Kastani beach – for four hours.
It was worth it. I like to think we would have gone to the church even if Mamma Mia had never existed. It looked stunning set on a rocky outcrop and even climbing the two hundred steps to the top was not as tough as I feared. It reminded me of one or two of the remote churches we encountered on out Greek Odysessy across the Cyclades last year. A small church sat in a wonderful location, whatever your beliefs, or none, it was a place to think and reflect, and take in the natural beauty of the world around us.
The inside of the church was tiny (it was not used in the film); I did like the stained glass window.
After an hour at the site (more than enough – if visiting independently, I’d budget for 45 – 60 mins) it was back on the bus to Kastani beach, where the famous “flipper” scene was filmed on the pontoon stretching out from the beach into the sea. The pontoon doesn’t actually exist, it was made especially for the film (based on the smaller version at Agnontas beach that we saw yesterday.
The beach was busy and crowded, pulled by the draw of beautiful water, but more likely it’s Mamma Mia fame. We turned left and scrambled over some rocks to find ourselves a shady spot overlook the most beautiful clear blue water. I couldn’t wait to get in.
On this whole trip, the water, and the swimming, has been fantastic throughout, but I think the sea today topped all others. I just can adequately describe the colour and clarity of the water. I spent a long time in it!
The water was lovely, but we probably won’t return to Kanstani beach – in areas it was busy, with loud thumping music – we are clearly ageing, this wasn’t for us (although glad we went).
Another great day, I will watch the film again when we get home so I can pick out those spots we’ve now seen.