In the last few weeks most people associated Greece with the disturbances in Athens. Crowds on the streets, burning cars, breaking shop windows and strikes. Some tourists even gave up on their holidays in this country. However, such reactions seem to be slightly exaggerated - particularly when it comes to the Greek islands. Things were and still are quite calm in the islands. Unfortunately, some popular resorts have a depressing look about them. An example? The island of Kos. What is striking is the large number of boarded up shops, bars, cafés and hotels. The shop windows, which have been painted white or covered with newspaper, are a reminder that Greece is not doing at all well. But are the closed shops really a result of the crisis?
The capital of the island - the city of Kos - is quite a sad place. The historic monuments (including the 14th century fortress raised by the Order of Saint John) are lost amidst a chaotic sprawl of luxury apartment buildings and hotels. Interes