Horse riding on Kos alias Two faces of Kos - Romance or shit?
by Arpád Takács, Slovakia
As a holiday-maker, during my stay on Kos, Marmari resort, Greece, on 10-20 August 2017, I identified this problem:
Greece, Kos, Marmari area, 10-20 August 2017. The eye-catcher enticing to horse riding in Marmari area, Kos. Definitely, a romance that is hard to resist for some holiday-makers, especially the young and women.
What a feeling to ride on the sea coast early in the morning! The blissful smiles on the faces of the two first young riders testify to it clearly. The last person, possibly the guide, has no happy expression; probably he feels it in his bones why there is no reason for him to give away his mood.
The dark side of riding in Marmari area, Kos. In some places, some testimonies to horse riding appear out of the blue - droppings (alias shit).
The droppings find their way both along the sea coast and on the sandy beach.
Sometimes, the sheer size of the heap brings respect.
Fortunately, as soon as the sea gets wind of excrements it starts washing and cleaning - fast and thoroughly.
Rather soon, the large heap of faeces disappears in case there was sea water nearby to do its dutiful job.
Happy riders on Marmari beach heading towards the more crowded areas.
While riding, the riders on Marmari beach do care in order not to hurt anybody. Here are riders passing the blue flag beach!!! The sign says No dogs! But there is no sign forbidding entry for horses - so they simply see the green light to pass.
Traditional times for ridings are in the morning and before evening. But you may encounter the riders also during the day.
So far, sunbathers and riders in Marmari coexist peacefully. Overwhelming majority of holiday-makers do not see any problem at all. Maybe there is none, or is it?
You may find dung also in the streets and pavements in Marmari, Kos. But this does not bother me at all. I consider it internal matter of the Greeks. Each nation may set its own rules for way of living.
On the other side, droppings both on the beaches and in water are not so hygienic and pleasant.
The solution is quite simple. The Greek law may stipulate the obligation for horse owners to provide the horses with sacks in order to prevent falling excrements accidentally to the ground during the horse riding on the beaches.
Will anybody from responsible Greek authorities care?
Kos is a beautiful island. Upon arriving there you must fall in love with it. The question is will it stay so forever?