As the ship approaches Mandraki, it passes by Gyali, one of the islands of the cluster of Nisyros. Its appearance at first is strange with the white pumice hills on one side and the dense pine forest on the other. Definitely a strange place, but which hides an admirable history and amazing beauty of visitable coves with turquoise waters.
Access is easy from Mandraki with the daily morning commute of the employees to LAVA Mining SA, the company that has been mining and processing pumice-perlite deposits since the 1950s. It is the largest export company of pumice (Kissiris) in the world with a production that amounts to one million tons per year covering the entire Greek market, while making large exports to Europe, the Middle East, America and others. One of the few cases of product exploitation that leaves a respectable amount every year in the Municipality of Nisyros, while employing several employees. Special mention should be made of the restoration of the landscape with continuous tree planting. This is a constant priority for LAVA SA one of the few companies with quarrying activity in Greece which respects the environment in which it operates.
The journey to the port or the neighboring Agios Antonios is about 15-20 minutes (2 n.m.), while in the summer there is a boat that makes the route or the tour of the island from Paloi. As you approach, the "strange" shape with the two almost equal hills (190 and 174m. Respectively), which are joined by a narrow isthmus of 900m. and 300m wide. it becomes more intimate. A huge white embrace welcomes you, a beautiful pumice beach in an environment reminiscent of an unreal giant sculpture. Do not wait to see any tourist facility or anything else, this is a unique case of archeology and workplace with very beautiful landscapes, a special experience.
The impressive volcanic structure of the islands of the cluster, as well as Nisyros itself belongs to the volcanic arc of the southern Aegean. From the oceanographic vessel Aegean of National Center for Marine Research (EKOE) were found in the area between Kos - Nisyros, especially around the islet of Giali, several underwater volcanoes, similar to the one found at the bottom of the Epidaurus basin. The first volcanic eruptions in the area began 2.5 million years ago. Since then, with small or large breaks, the molten volcanic material has gushed or erupted from the interior of the earth, building various small or large volcanic centers. Most of western Kos, Nisyros, but also the smaller islands that surround them, Pergousa, Pacheia, Gyali, Stroggili, are creations of volcanic activity, to be exact, everything that empties from the volcanic centers that were built. The easily accessible Gyali is probably the most interesting of these.
