Kalamaki - Caretta Caretta — Woody's Wax Works

At the eastern end of Laganas Bay on the southern coast of Zakynthos lies the small village of Kalamaki. The village has expanded along its main road but with little expediency to its aesthetic qualities. There are "cowboy" bars, nightclubs and various watering shit-holes. But the beach is fantastic, with the small Crystal Bay adjoining the vast stretch down to Laganas - it's about 4 kilometers long at least.

View towards Stani’s Taverna near Crystal beach

The bay is the breeding ground of the sea-turtle, the Chelonas, locally known as Caretta Caretta. They get followed ceaselessly throughout the tourist season by boat-loads of non-conservation-loving families. And with Laganas the chosen haunt of the 18-30 shagmeisters there ensues an interesting cultural dilemma.

Who gets the priority? The tourist pound (or busted euro) or the turtles?

You can pay several euros per head these days to get a guaranteed sighting by boat but if you stay in Kalamaki it's possible to have close-up sightings off the beach. You only need to take a pedalo out into the bay and you're as likely to see stacks of them, all sizes swimming alongside or below you. But it's equally as likely for you to see nothing, especially if you load up with a camera for the event. That's the Chelones, for you!!

There's a great taverna down by the beach called Stanis, where Pedro will delight in letting your kids use your debit/credit card pin, whether you're about or not! The kids find this hilarious. You have to admit that it's a fabulous setting for a late afternoon snack and their burgers beat the pants of their arched rivals!

If you stroll up into Kalamaki from this end of the village you find the older nicer bars and some of the original hotels. Many people end up in Kalamaki miles from the bay, or worse, stuck at the end of the runway of the airport! Can't imagine what 2 weeks of engine-noise must be like. One hotel has its own mini water-park, the Caretta Beach (neat name), but is nowhere near the bay - must be at least a mile away - and is typical of how tourists get trapped these days. It boasts cabaret acts from X-Factor, too. Probably deserve one another!!

Time for a snack after all that exercise