The Vouliagmeni "Sunken" Lake is just a 10 minute walk from our place. We packed up towels, water and a few forbidden snacks and headed there for the day. There was a wide range of tickets available from a cushion-less lounger to a chair to a cabana. We chose the cabana which had thick cushions and was right at the edge of the lake. The day was sunny with a light breeze that picked up in the afternoon. The water temperature was in the mid to high 70's and it was delightful. This lake is brackish as the water filters in from the ocean through a system of subterranean tunnels. This water is heated by the earth and so the temperature stays very stable year round. The lake was formed by a cave collapse long ago. The other patrons ranged from wet suit wearing photographers to butt bearing sun seekers. At the entry stairs to the lake little cleaner fish gather and nibble on your toes, legs and any exposed skin that is available. We swam through the majority of the lake keeping mostly to the reserved seating area. The deck chair area filled up around noon. Drink and food service was available and it was actually reasonably priced but we had brought in our own goodies.
The lake was very calm
Clear blue water
Big cliffs and with typical Karst cave filled geology
The waterproof camera came in handy
The lounge chair area on the other side of the lake
Very clear water
This section curves back along the entrance
Cute little birds
A line for tasty skin to nibble
The lunch bell has rung
Look to the top of the bluff
This hiker has breached the fence
The walkway around the edge of the lake
The hikers again on the trail
Many holes and caves
More fishy pedicures
What large bird nests here?
All the folks have arrived
Lots of birds
Including a new bird for the list, Common Kingfisher
A large tortoise, one of five or so on the grounds
Climbing the artificial grass
Going for the real stuff
Chomp chomp chomp
A dolphin sculpture
Little Grebe
Cute diving water bird
The gulls came to visit later in the afternoon
A song thrush biding us goodbye
The channel out to the sea?
Out we go
