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| Aegean Island Hydra—LOHAS’ Paradise——爱琴海小岛伊兹拉——乐活族的“天堂”. |
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希腊爱琴海上的座座小岛编织着浪漫美丽的故事。伊兹拉又称“猫岛”，那里有很多快乐的猫儿“流浪汉”，这座小岛的另一特色是你绝对看不见汽车和摩托车的身影，驴子是唯一的公共交通工具，同时伊兹拉也是文人墨客、影星名流钟爱的度假胜地……
difficult
By Jin Huili
There are nearly 3,000 islands on the azure Aegean Sea. About 300 are inhabited. These romantic islands have knitted numerous legends and folk tales. Each island has its own stories and distinctive features.
 The most interesting one we set our feet on is Hydra island. It is a rocky island with magic beauty, situated 42 nautical miles from Piraeus. Hydra unveils its unique beauty in several aspects. The town’s harbor is crescent-shaped, built on the rocky part of the island. Shops, cafes, restaurants, banks and galleries are lining around the harbor. These stone architectures are painted in grayish-white, embracing the crystal blue water of the stunning cove affectionately. Stretches of long and steep stone streets lead up from the harbor.
A relaxed stroll along the harbor as well as those picturesque alleys brings peace and tranquility to me. The walks present an ideal balance of the untouched nature and breathtaking scenery of traditional architecture. Hydra is the only island in Greece that forbids cars and motorbikes. So donkeys serve as the only means of public transportation. In this way, the town has remained unspoiled. To enjoy life in such an environmental-friendly destination is ideal for LOHAS travelers who also advocate green travel. The coolness of the breeze and the silvery-blue tint of the ocean with the absence of air pollution contribute much to the paradise-like LOHAS holiday destination. The island offers us the very depiction of healthy and sustainable lifestyles by immersing itself into the undisturbed beauty of nature.
 From the mid 20th century, Hydra has become popular with artists, writers, painters as well as musicians, from Henry Miller to Leonard Cohen, who think they will be inspired by the magic charm of the island. Henry Miller thus remarked on Hydra: “The town, which clusters about the harbor in the form of an amphitheatre, is immaculate.” Today Hydra is the popular visiting spot of celebrities. They swarm in the island. It’s said that Hydra was once the favorite island of Princess Diana.
At the harbor, a black cannon aims harmlessly into the  distance. It reminds us of the island’s important role in the war of independence against the Ottoman Empire. And could you believe this? When I stepped down the charter yacht, the first local resident welcomed me is a cute cat! It purred happily when sitting on my lap. With my further exploration into the town, I discovered more strayed cats wandering on the streets with a sort of carefree and leisurely temperament. Some just rested on a bench to enjoy the blue water and the cozy sunlight; some kept alert among a cluster of pigeons to dash onto one of the targeted birds, however as I noticed later, the move was usually futile; while some combed their fur diligently, the others were trotting after an old man who had prepared delicious food for them. These cats seemed to be so natural a part in the whole “oil painting” of Hydra. No wonder the tour guide told us that the island is also nicknamed as “the cats’ island”.
 You see, there are many notable traits that make Hydra a popular holiday destination!
advocate 提倡
affectionately 温柔亲切地
alley 小径，巷
amphitheatre 圆形（露天）剧场
azure 蔚蓝的
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