Wednesday, June 29, 2016

The sailor and the soak


Skinopi bay, directly north of the port town of Adamas (Adamantas) on the island of Milos (yes, Greece), has a reputation for thermality. 
But whether or not this is real remains to be seen.

The reputation is disclosed on the official tourism website of Milos which has this limited info on the supposed hot springs of Skinopi:
'-          Skinopi
Temperature: up to 41 C
Composition: alipiges (hot springs)'
Alipiges refers from Greek as a saline / salty source. 
But this is about all the info that's available on the bay of Skinopi's thermal reputation; all other references a copy of above. So not much to go by.

Still one never knows.
Skinopi certainly is not a heavily visited place, even though it's only 10 minutes from Adamas. The main reason for not going may well be the access road: a narrow windy and at times dirt road weaves itself up the hill from Adamas and once beyond the mount crashes down to Skinopi.

At the end of the road on the bay, there's a house to the south, and a number of sirmata to the north. 
Sirmata are small structures with a living upstairs and a boathouse downstairs. At least in the old days. Nowadays they are fashionable tourist villa's. Though that wasn't the case here.

The bay of Skinopi looking northwards, to a number of sirmata, sheltered from northern winds.

After parking the car and looking around, it didn't look like we will be seeing any soaking action. Based on my research and the lack of any facilities / hints. 

We decide to shift the search northwards, if not for the thermal opportunities at least for observing the quaint fishermans houses.

Cats
There's one other person on the bay and by the noise he's making one would believe there to be many others. But once we draw closer we realize that his chatter is meant for his cats. 

The older and getting bald man greets us heartily, asks us from where we are, apologizes for the ruckus with the cats and then shows us that the cats respond well to his chatter as on command one of them jumps into his arms.


With little prompting he sets off explaining how, as a sailor, he crossed the many seas only to retire after 35 years of service. He then took up fishing in the Aegean, but has now really retired on his own at his little sirmata. 
"Sometimes I go fishing"
he says, pointing to his tiny dinghy, 
"I catch a few fish for myself. And the rest for the cats". 
Life could be hard. And lonely. But he seemed very content with how things turned out.
"You know, I have lived my life".
Bubbles
Having said that, I disclose my reason for visiting his part of the world. 
"Ah yes. Look". 
He points to a place in the water just a meter away.
"Where there are bubbles, there is hot water". 
I place my foot over the bubbles and indeed the water is markedly warmer.  

 

He continues
"Sometimes, the bubbles are much more lively. At night I hear them from inside my house!"
But not today. The last house south, he notes, has a source inside. There's no outflow, but the owners have a tub which they fill from the source. 
"And you see the rock at the end of the bay?"
He points southwards. 
"Behind that rock is another source, in sea, between two rocks. A nice bath. But very difficult to get there. Only with a boat".
I'll take his word for it, but make a mental note to search for this. Later maybe.

After a little more small talk we thank our Skinopi host profusely and see if it's possible to get our rental Fiat Panda back up the hill
Though we also take the opportunity to wander around the vacant house to the south: no thermal source to be seen from the outside.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

New kid on the block

ohemsarahgee at Talknafjordur:
When it's a rainy day and you've got the hot spring to yourself #iceland #hotspring #talknafjordur #heavenonearth #mountainbabes
In honour of Iceland's advance to the Euro football elite, a compilation of some of the best Icelandic soaks and or soaking conditions. Likewise stamped Euro elite soaks. Are we sitting comfortable?

Then let's begin. Note we have some question marks on locations. 

Oh and there's a new site for all you soakers in Iceland: hotpoticeland.
 
na_walker at Hofell
Pickle pickling in a pot #iceland #hotspring 📷c/o @ianwduncan
ecstatic_existence at Reykjadaur:
Bathing AuNatural with my love in a natural hot river. An amazing experience!
#Iceland #hotriver #reykjadalur #love #travel
_miss.mandy_ unsure ....
 "Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures..." 💕 Soaked in a natural hot spring by the ocean today...it was wonderful. 📸: @shaespring

 Breezydidwhatnow at Fosslaug
'A couple from the US was staying in the bnb that night and they had heard of a natural hot spring in the area. Eydis gave them the low down on where it was and they invited me to join them. I agreed and took off with them for a soak. I think I earned it after so many hours of riding! It was a little pool right next to a river with a lovely waterfall close by. The water was hot but amazing. It was nice to sit and visit with strangers and turn them into friends'.
mariekelambrichts at ...hmmm ...
 Relaxing in a hot tub with this amazing view on the sea and the mountains! ✌🏻️ #iceland #ontheroad #hotspring #explore #travel #view #mountains #sea
oytunfolkehogskole, possibly Marteinslaug?
Naturfoto klassen #diggerlaifen i varme kilder på Island 🙌💦😃🇮🇸 📷@vidrblokau #øytun #langtur #naturfoto #island #iceland #naturephotography #photo #nature #friluftsliv #utno #hotsprings 
abbijayne at Nauteyrarpottur 
Tonight we sat in a hot spring. Naked. Drank champagne. And watched the northern lights. Happy 40th. Happy cancer free. Happy freaking life. #inspiredbyiceland #visiticeland #hotsprings #cancerfree #westfjords

marion.wp 
Eyjafjallajökull,06/06/2016 11:54:18 pm
@kayllown at Landbrotalaug
admiring the views from our secret natural hot pool. Pretty sure I had the better view though #toplessinnature #europeanstyle #nudist #ourcamplife #everydayiceland #iceland #wheniniceland #hotsprings #tattoo #tattoogirl #mygirlfriendissmokinghot

hartmanoutdoorphotography at Hvalfjarðarlaug 
Happy Friday! Hope your weekend is peaceful and rejuvenating :) #icelandroadtrip516 hartmanoutdoorphotography-
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#skinnydipping #geothermal #hotpot #iceland #whyiceland #middleodnowhere #inspiredbyiceland #hotspring #icelandwedding #icelandweddingphotographer #icelandweddingplanner #icelandroadtrip #darlingweekend #reykjavik #icelandhotpots #nomad #nomadness #gypsy #alwaysgo #lifeofadventure #mystopover 


isa-jere, could it be Sturlungalaug?
 Péninsule de Reyjkanes, nouvelles sources d'eau chaude sauvages....
icollectplaces at Kerlingarfjöll

fjolasig at Hrunulaug
💅🏼
 
laramunozs at Seljavallalaug 
Being late on our schedule made us be the only ones in this pool between mountains close to Vik, best experience of my life (and the coldest) #reykjavik #vik #iceland #globalworkandtravel
breetashski at Grundarfjördur
My new favorite way to take a warm bath
#hotsprings #iceland #secreticeland #bath #nature #travel #explore #europe

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Pur May



First main pool (the spring is in the upper right corner of the photo / pool, that's the warmest part). 

Another guest blog, this time from Florian. 
He's promised more but starts off at home, the Maibacherl, I believe the only natural undeveloped hot spring of Austria. And unique in it's seasonal character.

Florian:
Already the name „Maibacherl“, translated „May creek“, implies the spring‘s typical character – its seasonality. Most time of the year the creek falls dry only streaming after major rainfall. In May it operates more frequent due to the snow melt in the mountain (Dobratsch), but it can also fall dry during that month but produce flow in other months, autumn or winter. A figure on a sign post at the natural pools illustrates the connection between rainfall and streaming of the spring (See photo below: chart above: spring flow in liters/second, second chart rainfall in mm):

There is a Facebook page dedicated to the spring which posts any sudden start of its flow.

How to reach Maibacherl: it can be found in a public forest / park to the south east of Villach, a city of 60.000+ inhabitants in Austria‘s southern province of Carinthia. Use the address „Judendorfer Straße“ intersection with „Napoleonwiese“ in your navigation device, there it’s on your left side. Parking is scarce but public transport to nearby station of Villach-Warmbad is available. From that road walk about 50-100 meters into the forest to the west and find the pools at 46°35'31.3"N 13°49'27.8"E.
Sign post with some informations in German
A public spa Kärnten-Therme can also be found in the vicinity as well as several hotels and convalescent homes using other permanent streams of the spring for healing purposes. In fact the original Warmbaderhof (a different indoor pool than the Kärnten Therme) has an indoor pool with a natural floor in which the spring directly wells up into the pool. It’s mainly used for curing illnesses with its calcium, magnesium and hydrogen carbonate content besides others, however there seems no sulfur present. The water is also said to be slightly radioactive because of its radon content.
 
First main pool (the spring is in the lower right corner of the photo / pool).
But the natural pools are in the park with more or less untouched nature, only a foot path leads to the spring. A changing cabin is provided on site, no other facilities present, no fee is charged. There are two large pools, about 10 meters in diameter, about 1 meter deep filled with crystal clear water, with a temperature around 28°C. On the spot, where the spring originates in the pool, the water can be also a little bit warmer. Local residents like to go soaking regularly but at other times you can have the pools for your own. Largest caveat remains the irregular and infrequent flow of the spring.
Thank you Florian, it certainly looks very interesting. Potential soakers may need to heed, that the ponds are very, very seasonal so you have to be lucky to enjoy these. 
Just to put this in perspective, here a couple of photo's with soakers, proof that it's a nice place to be: 
kris__tiane🌲🏊🏼🌳  
#maibachl#naturpur#maibachlquelle#carinthia#naturelovers#nature
#heritagesite#naturalphenomenon#naturalpool#everyfewyears
#warmwater#undergroundspring#winter#someheatbetweenthecold#qualitytime
#everyyear #glacier #spring #thaw #intheforest #enjoy #fewdays #thermalwater #28degreesinside #2degreesoutside#insidertipp #maibachlquelle #relax #swim #happy #MAIBACHL #😊 

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Oversight


Hot springs are just one of the many gifts natures gives us to enjoy.

It's weird then that the hot spring of Damasta (or Dhamasta) (Gorgopotamos, Phthiotis, Greece) somehow lies in a very unappealingly terrain. Yin and Yang?

Set between the cliff face of the Kallidromo mountains to the south and the dusty, flat no-man's land towards the main motorway north, it's quite a surprise to find out that these springs are actually quite fantastic.

Parallel to the Athens-Larissa motorway runs a road which serves as a local access road. From the more well-known soak and historically significant landmark of Thermopyles the motorway itself turns sharply to the north (and where one can into the Kallidromo mountains to the south and Delphi beyond). Just in this bend one can head take a turn under the motorway, west towards the villages of Damasta and Iraklia. About 500m up this road a dirt road heads to the scrub covered mountain face. A hundred meters further up this road, the arrival and departure of what seems many a car has created a impromptu parking area.


Beyond this parking area are two pools to be seen. One to your right which seems less appealing and slightly muddy, one to your left (see following photo) which contains rocks and is shaded by greenery from the mountain face. 


Body blows
Which to choose? In either pool, there are already soakers minding their own business. We choose the more natural soak, the one to our left.

Most change next to or in their car, depending on how well one can change quickly or whether or not one believes in bodyshame, we quickly change behind a rock next to the soak itself.

This hot spring is bliss, very clear, nice and warm, I would estimate it to be around 35 degrees.


What's not heaven are vicious blow flies which are in party mood on the scantily clad soakers, yeah! Someone has been thoughtful enough to leave a fly swatter behind, but such is their hunger that despite the setting the soak is terminated a wee bit (too) early.

But the lure of this spring means we revisit this place, this time aware of the blow flies we take the right pool, which is considerably devoid of the beasts.


Slightly hotter, the experience is just as good. Certainly one of the better natural soaks. A plus for non-development.

Illuminated
There's suspiciously little extra info available on internet. The government website Lamia.gr:
'In Dhamasta, close to highway Lamia - Athens are spas Kallidromos (Psoroneria). In the open pool of hot springs, formed, one can enjoy swimming at 33o C water,  even if you suffer from rheumatism and skin diseases.
The thermal waters of the ancient Greeks they offered to Hercules because they strengthen and heal the body and Hercules represents strength. The Psoroneria like, and baths at Thermopylae were known from antiquity. They believed that the goddess Athena donated to Hercules. Temple dedicated to Hercules was at Thermopylae, as we mentioned by Herodotus and PausaniasThe 2nd century a.C., the Irosis the Atticus had built tanks to use them the inhabitants of the surrounding areas. In contrast, during the Turkish baths were completely neglected'.
There are two problems with this reference: The map is slightly off, it would require a hike into the mountains. And the picture seems not to add up. 

It's then that I discover that this hot spring is part of where I was, just a couple of 100m to the west. It's lot more developed and larger. See following photo:


#thermal #spring #damasta #centralgreece #bubblebath #hot #33degrees #bubbly #regenerating #skin #bones #strength #relaxing #jazzy #grbloggers #be_unique #crazy_jazzy
From Virtualtourist:
'Damasta SPA is an open little lake near the village Damasta, between Lamia and Thermophiles- on the old road- the water is not so hot like Thermophiles SPA but for sure it deserve a visit. It is an open aria and it can be easy reached all day and night (illuminated aria) their is no entrees fee'. 

Earlier (2014) on this blog, it was reported that these springs were to be developed (source).
Just last month (golamia, May 16) there was a very brief report on this soak being cleaned (by tractor) by the local government for the benefit of 
'... the tens of swimmers who are there every day'.


No mention of blow flies ...

There's not much more to do in the area, Lamia town is nondescript the delta area could be nice (if accessible) and the Kallidromo mountains pretty barren. 

 
A sight for sore feet 

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Well-suited

Enjoying nature to the fullest. Natural hot springs. #iceland #hotspring #islandia #naked #beards #beard #gaybeard #gay #gaybeards #beardedmen
The first round of matches has concluded at the European Championships (football) in France. And it seems the smaller nations are winning over the hearts of all Euro football lovers. Though their minds still believe that the Germans will win (they usually do ...). 

But let's look at some of the competing nations soaks. 

Though last night Iceland surprised the football fans, when coming to natural soaks, Iceland is the top nation in Europe (see also lead photo):

 
Sneaky hot spring all to myself, watching the last of the sunset. 
#hotsprings #naturalwonders #sulphuricsprings #naturalhottub #nudie #mountains #icelandicroadtrip #roadtrip #Icelandic #icelandsecretplaces #sunset #midnightsky #relaxation #traveller #solotravel #4degreesoutside
Iceland held Portugal to a draw, which the Portugese view as a loss. The next picture is also a loss for us soakers, it's not really a hot spring.  Still it's a very empowering picture from the fire island of Sao Miguel (there are opposed to photo below a number of nice soaks), the closest you'll get to the Icelandic feeling without being in Iceland.

 
Illa de São Miguel, Açores (Portugal).
Eva Neira | Abril de 2015
Estaba nun Erasmus en Lisboa, e a xente coa que vivía, a family portuguesa, decidimos alugar unha furgoneta e marchar aos Açores. Foron cinco días de desconexión e natureza. O último día, na parte oeste da illa de São Miguel, buscabamos unhas termas de actividade volcánica, un lugar paradisíaco (segundo dicían). Non as demos atopado. En troques achamos un camiño que poñía que era propiedade privada. Coámonos entre a maleza e acabamos dando co que parecía unha piscina natural privada. Aquilo si que era o paraíso. ¡Aínda que a auga estaba fría que te c****!
France are the hosting nation and while in footballing terms there seems no better nation  in which to play such championships, in natural soaking terms there's too little to capture that same desire. Best are the natural baths of Arties:

Me he vuelto frío como el hielo, a la mínima destruyo cualquier sentimiento que me encuentro en el camino. ¿Te crees fuego? Entonces, procura deshacerme porque si me rompes soy punzante, afilado y vas a salir perjudicada... #goodvibes #arties #vielha #relax #hotwater #snow #nature #banhsdarties
Current Euro champions are Spain, who in soaking terms also score high. No better a place to soak (it seems) than in Santa Fe near Granada, Andalucia:

March 26, 2015 · ·
At Termas de Santa Fe.

When it comes to footballing Europe there seems to be no geographical limits. Soakingswise you have this intriging photo from the Asian part of Turkey

Water buffalos and horses are seen in a thermal spring at temperatures around 40℃ in the village of Budakli in Guroymak district, Bitlis, Turkey. The 40℃ Budakli springs are found in Budakli, 7 kilometres from Guroymak centre, and are sought after by local and foreign tourists for their healing power… the villagers bringing the buffalos and horses to the snow-covered springs… really awesome~~~♪~♫~♬
source 
 
We have the rank outsiders of Italy who are the masters of defence. Mastering their many natural soaks is also a favourite Italian pasttime: 
 
Missadventuresabroad at Bagni San Filippo
'After getting into my suit I finally settled in and was able to enjoy the warm water trickling down into the pool from further up the ‘mountain’.
The above is basically a random selection. What about Romania? Hungary? Austria? Germany? Switserland? Russia? Albania? Slovakia
So many more hot soaks to be highlighted ... 

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Rainbows

Looking westwards
Traversing the Greek island of Milos is not too challenging. A great part of the eastern part of the isle for instance are undulating hills, nothing too serious, mostly ending in cliffs near to some exquisite beaches. And again, it's on one of these beaches where the next geothermal expressions of Milos are to be found.

The beach of Paleochori (Paliochori / Paleohóri) lies on the southeastern side of the island, neatly tucked in under said cliffs, making it a great place to go especially with northern winds. As Milos is here at it's narrowest, it's no surprise that this beach is also one of the islands busier locales: it's easy and well to access from the larger villages on the island. That said, coastal development still is in it's infancy. Then again, as it was still April, the action might well be in revved up during the summer months.

Now let's look at some of the accolades Paleochori beach has attained:
* Tripadvisor rate it as the no. 4 thing to do on the island (hint: the top 3 were all beaches ...). 
* Greeka's report (five stars apparently)
'Its crystal-clear waters are a perpetual temptation for swimming and the variety of colours and materials there is really amazing'. 
* Cycladia.com: 
'As the cyan waters gently lap the golden shore and the splendidly colored cliffs overhang the beach, the striking landscape composes a colorful natural canvas. The stunningly beautiful beach of Paleochori is considered to be one of the most popular beaches of Milos boasting umbrellas, sun beds, restaurants, cafes and wonderful lodgings. It is the perfect place for swimming, nude sunbathing, snorkeling and a variety of water sports'.
* Rough Guide: 
'Despite being one of the lower profile Cyclades, most beach connoisseurs rate Milos as the best in this most famous island group. Perhaps that is not so surprising – thanks to its volcanic nature and horseshoe shape, it boasts an impressive seventy-five beaches, yet is barely 20km across. 
... 
One of the best beaches on the south coast is sandy Paleohóri, gently heated by underground thermal currents and linked to a second strand, hemmed in by colourful cliffs, via a tunnel through the rock'.
* Captain Barefoot
'Having been to all the beaches mentioned on this website and accessible by the marvellous network of BUSES from Adamas, I would advise all nudism candidates to go to Paleochori. 
... 
Paliochori beach is widely thought one of the best beaches in Greece'.
* Insight guides: 
'Mílos's best beaches are in the southwest "bat wing, starting with Paleohóri - it's far end part-naturist, with stem vents in the sand near which eggs can be fried, and hot water bubbling up in the sea'. 
What the above have in common is a focus on how popular and commercial the beach is (but rest assured, nothing is very overdeveloped) and little elaboration of the geothermal character of the beach. 
Let's conclude that Paleochori is worth a visit even without the geothermal features.


Bubbles
In this paragraph we will look into the geothermal phenomena. 

To me, the one thing that strikes you as characteristic of Paleochori beach are the sulphur streaks along the cliffs which distinguish it from other (popular) beaches on Milos. 

Another distinguishing characteristic is the novelty of the Sirocco restaurant which offers fish / meat dishes that have been prepared under the geothermally heated sands. But possibly only in the summer buzz.
 
But what about those other geothermal features? Again the internet is not leaving us in the lurch. Let's start with the Greek geothermal keepsake, the Greek-islands.us website:
'The beach of Paleochori has rather high temperatures. Actually, they're so high that a restaurant close to the beach claims they cook their dishes on the sand! At some point the temperature of the sand is higher than 194°F.
...
You should definitely get in. The waters are lukewarm for about 5-6 meters. The beach is usually not crowded because most of the people prefer the one next to it, with the restaurant'.
* Milos.gr:
'The Beach of Paliohori is of almost 2 kilometers in total size and it is extremely popular. It consists of multi-colored pebbles, coarse sand and fresh crystal clear deep waters. In fact, the beach is composed of three beaches: the big organized one, the middle one and a small narrow one surrounded by rocks. In Paliohori you will have the opportunity to see unique and imposing images, result of the volcanic activity and the geologic vividness of the region. Apart from the multicolored rocks in red, pink, yellow and white-grey color, in Paliohori hot springs gush out. The unbelievable diversity of the existing natural materials and colors will surely amaze you'.
The Milos-island.gr website:
'One of the volcanic characteristics is the geysers, mostly in the east and south-east, where gases, mostly carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and steam, issue through apertures in the rocks, often causing yellow colouration, the well-known sulphur smell and elevated surface temperature eg. Ag. Kyriaki 102°C, Pyromenes 100°, Paliochori 101°C, Vounalia 54°C, Kastanas 86°C, Adamas 100° C. At points where this occurs under the sea, bubbles of gas are visible on the surface and again the same characteristic smell and elevated temperature. Examples may be seen at Ag. Kyriaki, Paliochori, Kanava and Rivari.
...
These springs are at sea level in Adamas for example, where public baths have been built - the temperature reaching 33,3°C. Further examples are, Alikes (22°C), Kanava (50°C), Paliochori (50°C), Mandrakia (54°C), Adamas Haros (42°C), Provata and Tria Pigadia and elsewhere.
The chief salt present in the waters is sodium chloride, but the sulphates of calcium, magnesium, potassium and ammonia are also to be found, along with carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide. The spa waters are considered to remedy rheumatoid arthritis, gynaecological and dermatological illnesses among others. These areas also exhibit elevated land temperatures'.
'The rocks just behind the beach are also colored in vivid red, due to their volcanic origin. The volcanic activity is expressed also in the warm underwater springs which can be felt on some places around the shore'.
Milos.gr (again?!):
'Paliohori
Temperature: 65-90 C
Composition: sulphur, alipiges (hot springs)'
Hue(s) and cry?
Then we come to milostalgia one of the very limited detailed accounts on a visit to Paleochori and who elaborates such that my own experience might well melt in her shine:
'The restaurant is called Sirocco, the food is solidly good [true], and you get to eat about 10 feet from the water's edge.  The most interesting thing here is something they called 'volcanic food'.  As I've mentioned before, Milos is a volcanic island with lots of geological oddities.  One of these oddities apparently is that volcanic heat gets quite close to the surface in some places, including the beach right in front of Sirocco.  So what they've done is create a sort of oven by burying a metal box in the sand there.  And their menu has a 'volcanic food' section with a few dishes that are cooked in this volcanic oven.  I thought it was a cool concept, but I also doubted it was true.  It sounded like something you would make up for the tourists.  But then on our second trip I had walked a ways down the beach away from the restaurant and I was standing at the water's edge.  As the waves washed the sand out from under my feet, they sank down a couple of inches and I had to jerk one of them out fast.  It was hot!  I stuck my toe down under the sand again to make sure I hadn't imagined it, but no, the sand got really hot just a couple inches below the surface.  It's a bizarre thing, but there is some serious volcanic heat coming right up to the surface in spots of Paleochori.  I no longer doubt that Sirocco is cooking food in the sand in front of their restaurant.  (I will however admit that most of the non-volcanic food we got was better than the volcanic eggplant dish we tried.)
And on top of the fish, there's another volcanic feature that makes the snorkeling really impressive.  The sea floor at Paleochori is leaking some kind of gas.  Tiny bubbles rise up from the sand throughout the beach, and some areas are really dense with them.  If you listen underwater you can hear the bubbling, and if the sun is shining through one of the fields of bubbles, it looks downright surreal.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a waterproof camera, so I didn't get a picture of it myself, but I did find a picture on the internet that someone took of the bubbles at Paleochori'.
Streaking
Well, the above leaves me with little need to add anything original, but still I'll give it a try.

We visited here twice, both times with glorious sunny spring weather, it's certainly not a drag to visit this pleasant beach. 

As stressed above, the road ends more or less at the Sirocco restaurant which sits to the west of the middle beach. 
One can still continue on the road, left (eastwards) for another 200m or so and end at the east part of the central beach. This part (middle section), though the most accessible and it seems most popular, is also the least spectacular.

From Sirocco, head west around or through the rocks (depending on the tide) and you'll end up at (surprise, surprise) the western beach. There's also access to this beach section via stairs coming from a beach bar above the cliffs. 
See photo below of west beach section with the stairs in center of beach. Dead ahead are the cliffs with geothermal as evidence of sulphur emissions.

 

I tried to find the heat sources themselves and was only successful at the westernmost section. The sand there is quite course and the shore slope steepish meaning you are dipping your feet quite deep with every step. At a certain place you felt that the sub-surface temperature a lot higher than the warm sand above it. That ladies and gents, is where you'll hot seepage is taking place.
But alas I found no further evidence, certainly none of warm seawaters!

However on our next visit we headed eastwards from the middle beach. 
Again, once off the main beach, the cliffs return. As do the spectacular sulphur streaks. Here I swam out in the sea and witnessed and felt the various sub-marine springs, quite delicious.

Eastwards
Fuming
There's more to the Paleochori area in geothermal sense, though not always obvious. 

Eastwards one can visit an abondoned sulphur mine, already featured earlier on the ENSS blog.

While heading towards Paleochori, note that the area was once the place to develop geothermal power. Alas, state thinking has promoted old school environmental degrading power production near Alikes, pity that.
Then again, the first try was not a success and such being sceptical and reluctant is common. From Spero News (12 Sep. 2009):
'To some in Greece, however, the words geothermal power are synonymous with the botched project on Milos in the early 1980s, when an attempt by PPC to develop a small plant there resulted in the release of large amounts of hydrogen sulphide, a toxic gas responsible for the odour of rotten eggs and flatulence. Understandably, many locals on Milos - without whose consent any similar project there is likely to stall - are deeply opposed to even discussing the potential of geothermal energy'.
The gases also resulted in trees dying. Nice.

Westwards along the coast are a few more geothermal features. The next beach is that of Agios Kyriaki which is also mentioned to have submarine springs. But none were witnessed on exploration.

Above this beach, to the west, atop the Fyriplaka crater one can experience and discover the emergence of various fumaroles. It's not too strenuous coming from the north, in all it's just a little more than 200m in height. Milos Mining Experience:
'Southernmost point of the at Kalamos: Kaolin outcrops on the outskirts of the Fyriplaka volcanic cone, where preexisting volcanic rocks have undergone intense alteration by acidic solutions generated from escaped hot vapors rich in hydrogen sulfide. At these vents (fumaroles), the clear, well-formed yellow crystals are deposits of native sulfur formed by the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide in the atmosphere. The sulfur is accompanied by a series of relatively rare secondary sulphate minerals such as melanterite, halotrichite, and alunite, which develop in clusters and are derived from the chemical alteration of the components of perlite and other volcanic rocks in the area. Alunite (also known as alum) has been used as a hemostatic in medicine from ancient times. Alums and alunogens have also been recorded in the same area.
Sulphate minerals are hydrous minerals and appear pink, white, yellowish and light green in color. They are extremely fragile and are perceived as tiny needles, thin encrustations, and compact aggregates.
The fumaroles, release points of hydrosulfide gas with its characteristically pungent odor and a temperature reaching 1000 º C, are most visible when the ambient temperature is low and the condensation greater. In any case, however, the strong odor of hydrogen sulfide will be noticed. Beyond the points of stronger fumarole activity which may be detected over old mine galleries, there are many places with elevated temperature, easily perceptible to the touch.
To the southwest the continuity of the volcanic cone and the spread of pyroclastic material, such as in the Fyriplaka promontory, is visible'.
Once on top one can clamber around to seek the fumaroles
It's a nice walk up, not difficult to find and not only do you get the experience of the fumaroles, there are also excellent views eastwards to the Kyriaki and Paleochori beaches.

Trying something different, there was this tip on Tripadvisor:
'I can also recommend taking a sea kayak trip from Ag. Kyriaki towards Palaiochori. On the way there are some caves with hot springs as well. Very impressive!'
'Geothermal activity continues to this day and can be seen on the western end of the bay in form of steam vents, hot springs and the only natural sauna cave in the world'.
Finally there's the beach of Tsigrado to mention which lies on the other western side of Fyriplaka crater. It's not really very specially, but as you only can access this beach via ropes and ladders, well that's an attraction in itself.