Recently we paid a visit to our friend Antonis in the ivari. This was a happening! Do you realize in what kind of environment we are living around Etoliko? It is amazing, every time again, to see the lagoon with all these wild birds together with the  grazing buffaloes, all in harmony with the serene nature. We should visit this area often, as it is changing with the season. In winter so many birds are resting from their trip to the south and in spring we will see the birds nesting and performing for the new borns. Most impressing is the unspoiled nature, except of course the free style summer houses on the beach of Louros. In a way, also this belongs to the area, freedom for the birds and freedom for the people to do what they like and could be fine as long as nature is respected!

The ivari with 25.000 stremma is endless and it looks like it is full of fish, as Antonis came with 2 giant pieces, which he put straight on the fire for us to eat. We were not even arrived and we were invited to eat the fish, no excuses were accepted. Home made tsipouro we tasted and of course their was no way to cancel the lunch. Fortunately, because to eat a fish direct from the lagoon and prepared on the open fire is an experience, which cannot be forgotten the rest of our life. But not only the fish was a high light, the hospitality and warmth of all the people was unforgettable and on top of that we learned many things from the mythology up to the life around the ivari of Tholi. We are thanking every body of the ivari and of course  Antonis Vlachopoulos, a very special man! 

Paul & Lillian

Related article and photos here (in Greek):